Oceans of Possibilities: Exploring the Eastern Shore

Discover the Eastern Shore! In the spirit of Summer Reading, we’re exploring all things ocean. What better place to start than Virginia’s coast? Read on to learn more about upcoming programs and titles that explore the region’s unique landscape and history.

 UPCOMING PROGRAMS

 Just a short drive East and you’ll find one of the most ecologically rich landscapes on the eastern seaboard. Considered the largest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay is home to 3,600 different species of plants and animals (according to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation). The Delmarva Peninsula, which lies between the Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, is surrounded by several protected barrier islands where visitors can enjoy excellent camping, hiking, and wildlife watching (find out about this and more at the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources). Learn about this fascinating region in our upcoming programs!

Chesapeake Bay 101 with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Saturday, July 16, 11AM-12PM at Fairfield Library*

Saturday, July 16, 2-3PM at Tuckahoe Library

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and an integral part of the natural history of Virginia. Learn the basics of Chesapeake Bay ecology from Marine Education Specialist Tara Rudo of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in this introductory talk on what makes the Chesapeake Bay unique and beautiful.

*For interested people and families at Farifield, all ages are invited to stop by early to make a pre-program snack at our Fruit Sushi event!

Lighthouses and Light Keepers of Southeastern Virginia

Saturday, July 23, 1-2PM at Tuckahoe Library

Lighthouses dot the Virginia coast from the Chesapeake to the Atlantic shore. They come in all shapes and sizes, and each has a story to tell. Light Keepers of history have come from all walks of life. Historian, educator, and author, Benn Trask, will familiarize participants with the history of these notable structures and the people that kept the night lights burning.

 COLLECTION

If you’d like to take a deeper dive, browse these titles from our collection:

• Weekend Walks on the Delmarva Peninsula: Walks and Hikes in Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia by Jay Abercrombie
• Backroads and Byways of the Chesapeake Bay: Drives, Daytrips and Weekend Excursions by Leslie Atkins
• The Chesapeake Bay: A Complete Guide by Allison Blake
• Lighthouses of the South: Your Guide to the Lighthouses of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida by Elinor De Wire
• Light Houses of the Mid-Atlantic Coast: Your Guide to the light houses of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia by Elinor De Wire
• Chesapeake Gardening and Landscaping: The Complete Guide by Barbara Ellis
• Lighthouses and Lifesaving Stations of Virginia by Patrick Evans-Hylton
• Chesapeake Bay by Michaela Gaaserud
• Chesapeake Oysters: The Bay’s Foundation by Kate Livie
• Plants of the Chesapeake Bay: A Guide to Wildflowers, Grasses, Aquatic Vegetation, Trees, Shrubs, and Other Flora by John Lytton Musselman
• The Chesapeake in Focus: Transforming the Natural World by Tom Pelton
• Beautiful Swimmers: Watermen, Crabs, and the Chesapeake Bay by William Warner