Wicomico Wetlands

Wetlands, interspersed with sections of high ground, line the banks of the Wicomico River as it flows into Chesapeake Bay. These wetlands are vital to the ecosystem, providing habitat for many organisms, helping filter pollutants from the water, and preventing sediments from entering the river and the Bay. The natural environment along the Wicomico River has changed greatly since the 18th century. Clearing of forests and centuries of agriculture caused erosion that silted in the river. Pollution and over-fishing reduced many aquatic species and the organisms that depend on the river to survive. Habitat destruction and unregulated hunting decimated many animal populations. Pemberton Park's more than 250 acres offer a glimpse of what the Eastern Shore's natural landscape may have looked like in the 18th century.

Maryland · United States