Island Reborn During the past 150 years wind and water have claimed more than 10,000 acres of habitat in the Chesapeake Bay. The soil has been swallowed up by storms and a rising sea level. This erosion has caused huge problems for the Port of Baltimore as it tries to keep its busy shipping channels open. Each year the Maryland Port Administration dredges several million cubic yards of mud from its winding waterways in the Chesapeake Bay. Until recently, there was debate and controversy about what to do with this dredged material. Now the Port believes it has found the answer. It's bringing back to life an island that was once an important fixture in the Chesapeake Bay. The past is literally being dug up from the Bay's clogged waterways to restore an island that shrank from 1200 acres in 1847 to five scattered tiny islands in the early 90's.

It's called Poplar Island. Erosion has taken its toll there. By the mid 1990's the island had all but disappeared. Gone were any remnants of early colonial history. Gone were the hunters, the politicians and the bootleggers that used this island as a haven. Houses, trees and finally the land dissolved into the bay.

But what nature took away, man is now rebuilding in an effort to help protect the environment. "Island Reborn" will look at and document the rebuilding of Poplar Island. It tells the history of the old island from the colonial settlers to the days when Roosevelt and Truman went hunting there with political colleagues. The program explores the engineering, science and technology being used to build the new island into a wildlife sanctuary, and it answers the question of why this unique project is a good development for the environment.

The reclamation of Poplar Island is one of the largest projects of its kind. It's an ambitious undertaking as the Maryland Port Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers attempt to reverse and reshape nature's course. "Island Reborn" shows how the island is already becoming a wildlife oasis, and it looks at the larger lessons to be learned in how the busy ports around the world can clear their channels for shipping as well as help the environment by creating new habitat.

Clear to the Bottom The water of Chesapeake Bay must be clean and clear enough for sunlight to reach the bottom if sub-aquatic grasses are to grow. These grasses, or SAVs as they are known, are critical living components of the bay's ecology. They serve many functions, but perhaps the most important is their role as a living, protective nursery for young aquatic animals like fish and crabs that are vulnerable to predation. For now, the water isn't clean enough in most parts of the Chesapeake - scientists say it won't be - until filter feeders like oysters return in high enough numbers to filter sediment and excess nutrients. Yet, in an attempt to stay ahead of schedule in the hope that one day soon the Chesapeake's waters will again be clean enough for widespread growth of grasses, scientists are experimenting with a variety of methods to replant grass beds that could help to speed recovery of the Chesapeake Bay.

Brush and Feather He's a soft-spoken, thoughtful man who's spent his years carefully watching the birds of Chesapeake Bay. As a young man, John Taylor's passion for birds drove him to the artist's canvas of self-expression, and led to his life as a popular and successful Chesapeake Bay artist and conservationist.

Spring's Wings The delicate flutter of the butterfly marks the beginning of Spring -- and triggers a new season of passionate "hunting" among butterfly lovers. Richard Smith, Maryland's reigning expert on Lepidoptera -- the butterfly's scientific name -- travels the state with experts from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in search of species common and rare, with the hope of getting a fix on how Maryland's butterfly population is faring.

Autumn Promise There aren't many Whooping Cranes left alive in the world. That's why the work of scientists at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland is so important. They're teaching baby cranes to migrate each autumn from Wisconsin to Florida - by following a small, ultralight airplane - in the long-term hope that the birds will breed and expand their numbers.

Out of the Woods Black Bears and people have been running into each for a long time in Western Maryland. White pioneers who first settled the mountains feared the occasional bear because of the species' insatiable appetite for anything edible - including settlers' hard-earned crops. Back then, there were few people living in the mountains. Now, with more numbers of people vacationing and moving to mountain tourist destinations like Deep Creek Lake, encounters between people and bears are growing in number.

A Soaring Success The fact that a Brown Pelican looks like a Pterydactl hasn't hurt its reputation or popularity with birdwatchers. People are fascinated by them, and Marylanders are especially lucky. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Ecologist Dave Brinker - who tracks the species' population along Maryland's Chesapeake Bay -- says that the number of pelicans has grown quite a bit over the last few years. The birds didn't even nest in Maryland until 1987, but now they are thriving and its comeback and expansion is considered a conservation success.

Trust in the Land In the Chesapeake Bay watershed, farmlands are increasingly recognized as bulwarks against a rising sea of concrete. Land Trusts are playing a vital role, helping government agencies protect cultural lands, forests, wetlands, open space, wildlife habitat and fertile farmland. To assist in that effort, the Chesapeake Bay Program - a state and federal partnership to restore the Chesapeake Bay, is helping to identify land that could be set aside.

Invasive Beauties The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has wrestled with the issue of invasive species for years. But, the story of the Mute Swan stands out among similar stories, mostly because many bird lovers have such affection for this beautiful, but environmentally destructive, species of swan. Here, an update on the agency’s efforts to resolve the fate of the Mute Swan in Maryland.

An American Obsession Americans spend billions of dollars each year on their lawns - buying seed, fertilizer and equipment to help make it as beautiful as they can. But, at what cost to the environment?

Chesapeake Beacons Maritime history is filled with legends of ships and souls lost to watery graves. Lighthouses helped to change that. Radiant white streams beamed from light stations cut their way through smothering fog, wispy mists and pelting rains to help guide ships to shore, and safety.

The Chesapeake Bay has its share of lighthouses. From Point Lookout in the south to Concord Point in Havre De Grace, nine lighthouses are featured here to tell the story of days past when sailors kept a keen eye out for these lifesaving beacons on the Chesapeake.

Backpack Passport: The Outdoors Maryland Field Guide to Camping Who hasn't pined for a revitalizing escape to nature and the great outdoors? Most of us cherish memories of dancing flames in a crackling campfire under a glittering expanse of stars. And don't forget the s'mores! Outdoors Maryland's Backpack Passport is the definitive guide to camping adventure. Backpack Passport is a primer of tried-and-true basics as well as a showcase of innovative equipment and techniques that will become an essential guide for beginning, returning and experienced campers alike. From weekend family camping to wilderness backpacking, Backpack Passport explores the "how-to's" of hassle-free camping in a journey across diverse landscapes that also highlights exciting "where-to" possibilities -- from seaside weekend family camping to quickie urban getaways to remote mountain trekking.

Out of the Woods Black Bears and people have been running into each for a long time in Western Maryland. White pioneers who first settled the mountains feared the occasional bear because of the species' insatiable appetite for anything edible - including settlers' hard-earned crops. Back then, there were few people living in the mountains. Now, with more numbers of people vacationing and moving to mountain tourist destinations like Deep Creek Lake, encounters between people and bears are growing in number. For some residents, the black bear's increasing presence is becoming a real problem.

Piercing the Forest On the steep and rocky slopes of the Western Maryland mountains, one man walks the deep, dark forests with an eye out for a mysterious and elusive bird called the Goshawk. DNR wildlife biologist Dave Brinker's mission: to track down what he believes to be the only nesting pair of Goshawks in the state, fit the birds with expensive tracking transmitters, and return them to the safety of their treetop nests.

A Leg Up For some people with disabilities, life's difficulties are magnified by their inability to enjoy nature's beauty. In Howard County, however, a stable of very special horses stand at the ready to offer them improved health and happiness.

Adelgid's Revenge The Wooly Adelgid is a tiny parasite that is methodically killing a beautiful species of tree, the Eastern Hemlock. Maryland's large tract of Eastern Hemlock forest near the state's western edge isn't immune - experts from the Maryland DNR are hurriedly searching for a way to stop the Adelgid before it's too late.

Humming in the Garden It's easier than you ever thought to attract hummingbirds to your own backyard! The Ruby Throated Humming bird is Maryland's native species. It weighs only a tenth of an ounce and is attracted to nectar supplied by native plants or attentive homeowners. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Wild Acres Program helps homeowners attract wildlife to their own backyards, such as different species of Hummingbirds.

Planet Nick For Nick Carter, all of nature is a dynamic system of interdependent subsystems. His complex vision of how the planet works drives him to bring the message of stewardship to Marylanders.

Maryland Snakes: A Field Guide Mystery rules the long spine of their natural history. Whether reviled or revered, snakes have captured our imaginations through the ages. More than 2,400 species of snakes are known in the world. True to their elusive, mysterious nature, the exact number of species in Maryland is unknown...somewhere between 24 and 27. Outdoors Maryland walked the state's mountains, coastal plain and forests in search of Maryland's snakes, and found them-on hot rocks, in dark crevices and under prickly brush. Maryland Snakes: A Field Guide demystifies the lowly snake by bringing together three top-notch experts on reptiles and amphibians of the region: the Maryland Department of Natural Resource's Ed Thompson and Scott Smith, and rattlesnake wrangler legend Marty Martin.

Wild Backyards Wild Backyards visits homes in Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, and Howard Counties and tells the tales of habitat creators who share their success in luring many native species of birds, mammals, butterflies and frogs. "Wild Backyards" features an impressive collection of simple-to-create-and -manage, wildlife sanctuaries created by local homeowners. The program offers a wealth of information on how to match desirable wildlife habitat design, making the best use of backyard space available, and caring for, and maintaining, a mini-Eden.

Does Something Wild Live in Your Backyard? Do you feed wild birds? Have you placed nest boxes around your house for animals to live in? Have you planted flowers and shrubs that attract butterflies, birds and other wildlife? If you design your yard or property to attract wildlife, you are already a part of Maryland's Wild Acres!

For more info visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/wildacres.asp

Spring's Wings The delicate flutter of the butterfly marks the beginning of Spring -- and triggers a new season of passionate "hunting" among butterfly lovers. Richard Smith, Maryland's reigning expert on Lepidoptera -- the butterfly's scientific name -- travels the state with experts from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in search of species common and rare, with the hope of getting a fix on how Maryland's butterfly population is faring.

Song of the Season It was 1987 -- the last time Marylanders were a captive audience to the droning summer song of the 17-year cicada. Emerging from their subterranean lairs only to stubbornly cling to bushes, trees and buildings, millions of visiting Cicadas left Marylanders with memorable legacies ranging from marvel to dread. In 2004, this brood of Cicadas will reappear in most of Maryland. Now, though, we know a lot more about these mysterious insects and their curious life cycle thanks to Cicada researcher John Zyla.

Jewels of the Forest It is an avocation so fraught with potential peril that only a handful of them walk the Maryland woods. Wild mushroom hunters. Why do they do it? These fascinating and, many times -- poisonous -- native fungi are safe only in the hands of expert mushroom hunters, many of whom gather together in their occasional quest for these jewels of the forest.

The Root of It All The tidal marshes of Blackwater Wildlife Refuge are under siege. The Nutria, a large, furry South American animal introduced to the Eastern Shore of Maryland to bolster the fur trade there, has escaped into the wild and is eating away the marsh grass. Federal officials have become so concerned about the loss of the marsh over the last few years that they are trapping the Nutria with hopes of finally eradicating this invasive species that is endangering the very survival of Blackwater's fragile tidal ecosystem.

Journey of the Longnecks The Canada Goose in Maryland had seen better days. In years past, numbers of the longnecks were down. Experts at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources blamed poor weather at the birds' northern nesting grounds, and even over-hunting. Now, those problems are beginning to ease thanks to new management programs designed to help the population grow.

Flying to Freedom Many of the good works done in the name of environmental improvement are volunteer-powered, driven by people like Mary Graul. Whenever she's needed, Graul flies her own airplane on National Aquarium in Baltimore missions - whether to release baby sea turtles that have been rescued and nursed back to health, or to carry experts skyward to get a count of dolphin populations off of Ocean City, Md.

Last Stand at Shady Side They say it was Tropical Storm Agnes in '72 that started the long, slow demise of the Chesapeake and the way of life of so many watermen who fished the bay. Then MSX and Dermo infected the oyster bars and the water got dirtier. The grasses started to disappear from the bottom and then the crabs and fish left, too. Now, watermen from the Chesapeake's western shore have gathered together in a small town called Shady Side to see if the Chesapeake - and their way of life -- can be saved.

Tapping the Mountain Sap The hollow tapping echoing off of the rolling, rocky hills is sign that the first warm whispers of mountain spring have come for Randall Steyer. As one of Maryland's 16 maple syrup producers, Steyer and his family look forward to the annual ritual of collecting sap from their farm's ancient maple trees.

Clagett's Test Plot This working family farm, operated as a joint effort by the DNR, CBF and the University of Maryland, provides a real-world connection between agricultural practices and the Chesapeake Bay. Farmers looking for ways to reduce or eliminate use of fertilizers and pesticides can compare the growth.

Majestic Adaptation Many Marylanders grew up believing that the Bald Eagle was headed for extinction. Now, this raptor can be found nesting in backyard trees, near highways, and on powerline towers around the state. Maryland Department of Natural Resources eagle expert Glenn Therres says this proves man is winning the fight to help the bird adapt to this heavily populated region of the eastern U.S.

Secret Life of the Gunpowder One of the state's best kept secrets is Gunpowder State Park - a rural oasis swimming in recreational opportunities just outside of Baltimore City. From water sports to biking, hiking, fishing and boating, Gunpowder State Park is a jewel in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' state park system.

Chesapeake Bard He's a legend on the Chesapeake. Tom Wisner's songs about the Bay and life on the water helps to put into perspective what's at stake as the Chesapeake's destiny plays out before us.

Piercing the Forest On the steep and rocky slopes of the Western Maryland mountains, one man walks the deep, dark forests with an eye out for a mysterious and elusive bird called the Goshawk. DNR wildlife biologist Dave Brinker's mission: to track down what he believes to be the only nesting pair of Goshawks in the state, fit the birds with expensive tracking transmitters, and return them to the safety of their treetop nests.

Mother Nature's Cops They're out there. On the land, sea and air, Maryland's Department of Natural Resources police are on the job, 24 hours a day, defending the state's resources against problems -- from neglect, to lack of respect to outright criminal behavior.

The Humble Catch Many people cut their fishing teeth on the critter called the Yellow Perch. Once plentiful, DNR biologists now worriedly suspect the number of Yellow Perch in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries is dropping. That's prompted the agency to ply Maryland waters in search of an answer.