A piece of Chesapeake Bay marshland that once formed part of an aviation pioneer's private hunting preserve has become an important refuge for wildlife. What began as a donation of thousands of acres more than seven decades ago now protects tidal marshes, creeks, coves and wooded ridges used by migratory birds throughout the year. The landscape is part of a larger story of how privately held land can become a lasting habitat when it is placed under conservation management. Today, the refuge provides seasonal shelter for waterfowl, nesting grounds for numerous birds and habitat for mammals, reptiles and marine species, while also preserving a distinctive part of the Chesapeake Bay's natural landscape. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service records that Martin National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1954 after Glenn L. Martin donated 2,569 acres to the Service.
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