The Nanticoke River: Explorers Welcome 400 Years Ago And Today
DNR Offers New Nanticoke River Heritage Map, Invites Marylanders and Visitors to Explore

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DELMARVA PENINSULA — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers Maryland resident and visiting explorers a new brochure and map of heritage, public boating access, and unique sites in the Nanticoke River watershed. DNR produced the new heritage map, entitled The Nanticoke River: Explorers Welcome 400 Years Ago and Today, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Dorchester and Wicomico Counties, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, and many others.

“Many people may not realize the abundance of historical and cultural sites, and the diverse and unique wildlife habitats with the Nanticoke River watershed,” said DNR Secretary John R. Griffin. “We hope this new guide encourages people to visit and explore the Chesapeake Bay’s largest tributary on the lower Delmarva Peninsula.”

Residents and visitors revere and treasure the Nanticoke watershed for its rural, natural landscape, which remains characteristic of its appearance when Captain Smith explored the river 400 years ago in June 1608. The new heritage guide also includes information on Native American history in the area and details the route taken by Captain John Smith during his explorations of the Nanticoke in the summer of 1608.

The guide will be available at Maryland and Delaware visitor centers, parks and through partner organizations just in time for 4th of July travels.

Encompassing approximately 725,000 acres and spanning 63 miles from its headwaters in Sussex County, Del. to its mouth at Tangier Sound, Dorchester County, Md., the Nanticoke River is the largest Chesapeake Bay tributary on the Delmarva Peninsula. Earlier this month, Md. and Del. signed an agreement that formally established a bi-state partnership effort to ensure long-term stewardship of the Nanticoke River.
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June 26, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbelll 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov