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Mission Statement
Conserve, steward, and advocate for the unique rural landscape of the Eastern Shore.

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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

The Sassafras Environmental Education Center (SEEC) was founded in 2010 by current Program Director Wayne Gilchrest. SEEC’s mission was to provide sequential, annual outdoor experiences leading to a population of future Eastern Shore citizens who will be capable of living compatibly with nature’s design. While SEEC worked primarily with Kent County Public School Students, they routinely provided programming to a number of groups from the tristate area. SEEC educated approximately 3,000 students annually throughout the 1200 acres (Sassafras Natural Resource Management area) state park; Turner’s Creek county party 150 acres. SEEC also educated youth from the Kent County Parks & Recreation summer program, KCPS Summer School student, youth incarcerated parents, youth incarcerated at a juvenile detention center, and homeless youth and their families. Unfortunately, SEEC’s programming has come to an end, but all services and operations as provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Park Service will continue uninterrupted.


A Message from SEEC Founder Wayne Gilchrest

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many people and organizations who, in the last dozen years, have helped reach thousands of children in our communities with opportunities to discover the workings of the wonder of nature in our back yard. Through hiking, canoeing and gardening, throughout the forests, rivers, meadows and wetlands of Sassafras Natural Resource Management Area and Turners Creek County Park, the Sassafras Environmental Education Center was able to  teach K – 12 students from Kent County schools and Kent County Parks and Rec program the basic principles of Agro-Ecology – Nature’s timeless services. As of August 31st our program will end but SEEC’s various activities will continue through other venues; chief of which will be DNR’s Parks Service*. I hope you will continue to contribute to our children’s love and understanding of the natural world.

*All services and operations as provided by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Park Service will continue uninterrupted. Please contact the Tuckahoe State Park Complex office at 410-820-1668  or visit their website for more information and to submit requests.


Elementary school students learning from a volunteer mentor about fishing and Chesapeake Bay ecology.



Want More Information?

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy's mission is to improve quality of life on Maryland's Eastern Shore through conservation, and environmental education is a major part of that. If you'd like more information about our environmental education programs, contact us and we'll be happy to help.