1 State – urbanizing – still unique resources Charles county – hot spot for diversity and unique rte support recreation too Unique only to Charles county: Found statewide – large populations in charles

2 Natural Heritage Program Background Diamondback terrapin, sandy beaches of Potomac River, species of Greatest Conservation Need Barn owl, Watch List and Species of Greatest Conservation Need

3 Why BioNet? – WDCP Responsibilities Seepage swamp along Zekiah with groundwater-fed springs that keep soil saturated year- round. Similar saturated seepage wetlands occur in the Nanjemoy and Mattawoman watersheds, though less commonly than in the Zekiah.

4 GI Hubs + BioNet Complementary More comprehensive when used together

5 BioNet + Stronghold Watersheds

6 Rare Species of Zekiah Watershed

7 ZEKIAH WATERSHED AND RARE SPECIES HABITATS Rare species + FIDS throughout For dispersal and to maintain habitat quality… Maintain connectivity of forest 1)along wetlands and waterways, 300ft buffer minimum, & 2)to large blocks of upland forest

8 Dwarf wedge mussel, state endangered, federal threatened Nanjemoy Creek watershed

9 Flier, State Threatened, Species of Greatest Conservation Need, Zekiah Stronghold

10 Black and white warbler, a forest interior dweller that needs large blocks of forest to nest successfully. Breeds in Nanjemoy- Douglas Point Area. A species of Greatest Conservation Need.

11 Least bittern, In Need of Conservation, marshes of Nanjemoy Creek