The first certified Firefly Preserve on the Eastern Shore

At the end of Robbins Creek Road in the Two Johns neighborhood, is a plot of woodland. Quiet, cool and dark, the trees create a canopy over the fallen leaves and wood debris that litter the forest floor. Birds call to one another, frogs and toads chorus back and forth across the pond, rare fox squirrels scurry up trees and jump across the branches overhead as you walk the trails in this forested oasis. In the dusky light, fireflies begin their dance and flight, flashing their bodies to attract a mate.

This land belonged previously to Jim and Mary B Lynch. Mr. Lynch was a naturalist and was passionate about these woods and the variety of wildlife that made them their home. Mrs. Lynch made the decision to leave the land to the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy in order to protect it from developers who had built up the neighborhood around the Lynch property.

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy acquired the property in 1998, and in 2012 was able to open the trails to the public. Along with the protected status of the Lynch Preserve being fully owned by the ESLC, the Maryland Environmental Trust has an easement that further prevents the land from converting to development use.

The Lynch Preserve is home to a large number of protected species. Thirteen Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) of birds are certified inhabitants here.

This is the first certified Firefly Preserve on the Eastern Shore. Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are declining due to habitat loss, even on the Eastern Shore. The more impervious surfaces, such as driveways and parking lots, the less leaf litter, which is crucial to support firefly lifecycles. Dark skies are also important for fireflies, because they are nocturnal. Artificial light disrupts the mating habits of fireflies. The darker the skies, the better for fireflies finding their mate and procreating to continue the species. Suitable conditions include lots of bark and leaf litter, dark skies near water. The Lynch Preserve is an ideal location for our little lightning bug friends.

(Author’s note: taking photos of fireflies requires specialized equipment. A tripod, low aperture and post-production layering makes it possible to share a quality photograph of a firefly. Capturing an image of a firefly with a phone camera is extremely challenging. The magic of chasing and catching fireflies in childhood is made all the more nostalgic as an adult, unable to capture the beauty and rarity of these bioluminescent creatures with a one-dimensional photograph.)

In addition to fireflies, toads, and birds, the Lynch Preserve provides protection to deer, racoons, and even some beaver. Walking the trails is an adventure in itself. It is possible to imagine fairies and pixies flitting between the trees and tall grasses, among the fireflies and the woodland creatures. Areas of the preserve resemble a secret garden, and the trails are wide and well laid out for just such an adventure. There was no trash or human debris to be found, and it was encouraging to see how well the people who visit here respect the habitat.

The stewardship manager of the Lynch Preserve is Larisa Prezioso, and she shared what is required to keep the preserve in its current condition. There is a guidebook that the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy follows in order to maintain the beauty and natural conditions necessary to protect the wildlife. For example, there is zero use of broadcast pesticide or herbicide in the Preserve.

The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is funded by donations as well as state and federal grants. If you visit the Lynch Preserve, you may find yourself wanting to get involved in keeping this conservation effort going. You can do that by visiting www.eslc.org to either donate or to stay connected with events and happenings. And please, do visit this beautiful habitat and enjoy nature as it should be enjoyed, in its wild and pristine state. If you can get a picture of the fireflies, we would all love to see it. It would be a rare and special thing indeed.