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Description:
Blackwater NWR is the largest of three refuges in the Complex having an approved boundary of 66,000 acres. The administrative office is located about 12 miles south of Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland. Officially established in 1933 for the "purpose of providing habitat for migrating and wintering birds," additional lands and purposes have since been added under the authorities. Martin and Susquehanna are the other two refuges. Upon completion, the complex will encompass 72,000 acres of internationally important habitats spread over 120 miles in three states: Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.Often referred to as the "biological crescent of the Eastern Shore," the refuge dominates the wetlands in the 716,000 acre Nanticoke/Blackwater River Watershed. The Nanticoke River, the heart of the refuge's Nanticoke Division, has been designated a MD Wild and Scenic River. The refuge's brackish marshes compose more than 80% of the watershed's intertidal wetlands, and 50% of the Nanticoke watershed in MD. 40 types of rare wetland communities are found within the watershed, and over 30 Natural Heritage Areas (NHA) are within the refuge. Over 1/3 of Blackwater's total acreage is within two NHAs. The refuge is noted for being the most northern site for expansive three-square bulrush dominated marshes in the U.S. The watershed is 38% forested and includes the largest continuous pine forest left on the Delmarva peninsula, making the refuge extremely important to neotropical migrants, forest interior dwelling species, and the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel. National and international distinctions are: a "BioReserve of Critical Importance" for the survival of 165 threatened and endangered plants and 56 species of animals; an "Internationally Important Bird Area;" and a "RAMSAR site." The refuge annually winters over 200 bald eagles, and supports the largest nesting population of bald eagles north of Florida on the Atlantic Coast. 35% of the Atlantic Flyway's waterfowl population uses the Chesapeake Bay and the Blackwater region. Four "Special Status" fish, and 44 special attention nongame birds rely on the refuge. Directions:
Blackwater NWR is located about 12 miles south of Cambridge, Maryland. From US50, turn south on Route 16. Follow Route 16 about 7 miles to Church Creek and turn south on Route 335. Follow Route 335 about 4 miles and turn east on Key Wallace Drive. The visitor center is about 1 mile from the intersection and the headquarters is 1 mile past the visitor center. Various directional signs are located along the route.
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