Poplar Island Field Trip
OVERVIEW
Your bus will arrive at Poplar Island’s “land base.” There is a port-a-potty in the parking lot that your group is welcome to use. The Poplar Island Education staff will meet you at the dock. We will provide your group life jackets and board the Terrapin. There is an approximately 20-minute boat ride to the island. When you arrive on Poplar Island, your group will leave the boat, and have a short introduction near the dock. Your group will then spend time touring the island and participating in various wetland activities. We operate rain or shine, so be sure to dress for the weather. We allow time for your group to release your terrapin in a wetland or sandy beachy area on the island. During this time the staff will step back and allow you and your students to take time to say farewell to your terrapin and release it back onto the island. At the end of the trip, your group will travel back to “land base”.
WEATHER
The tour may be cancelled in the event of severe weather. Please note that the island weather can be more severe than on the mainland, is unpredictable and changes quickly. Therefore, if the Poplar Island staff feels it has become unsafe, cancellations can occur the same day as the tour. If inclement weather is in the forecast, tour participants will be reminded of the possibility of last-minute cancellations via their provided contact method(s) (phone and/or email). At that time, you can alert the tour coordinator if you will or will not be attending the tour.
Trip Details
Plan your bus route. See the directions below and plan accordingly for toll roads or construction zones.
Please arrive at the “land base” parking lot at least 15 minutes before your trip is due to start.
There is a strict 24-passenger limit for the boat. This includes all teachers, adults, and students.
We will run the trip rain or shine (trips are only cancelled for severe weather); dress for the weather! Keep in mind that it can be significantly cooler on the island than it is inland.
Sunscreen and insect repellent are highly recommended! There are biting insects (mosquitoes, flies, and ticks) on the island that can be unpleasant, if you aren’t prepared.
Reusable water bottles are recommended. There are locations where the group can refill water bottles.
Students and adults should wear clothes and shoes that they would be comfortable wearing outside and getting dirty. Hats, sunglasses, jackets/raincoats, and comfortable shoes for walking are recommended.
All shoes must be closed-toed. Anyone not wearing closed-toed shoes cannot walk into the wetlands, and therefore cannot participate in releasing your terrapin.
Students and adults should be prepared for a short walk on grassy or gravel paths.
Students will have an opportunity to eat their packed snacks or lunch. No food is provided, and no food service is available. All trash is carry-in/carry-out; groups should bring a trash bag for the trash they will take back with them.
Please ask students to leave cell phones and game devices at home the day of the trip.
Reminders
Wear closed-toed shoes
Bring a water bottle
Apply sunscreen/bug spray
Bring your Turtle!
Learn more about Poplar
Contact
Kristina Motley
Office: 410-770-6503
Cell: 240-444-4025
kmotley@menv.com
Directions to Poplar Island Land Base
Take Rt. 50 toward Ocean City
Exit onto Rt. 322
Take Rt. 322 approximately 2 miles to Rt. 33
Take a right on Rt. 33 South
Follow Rt. 33 for about 22 miles, through St. Michaels and then over the Knapps Narrows Bridge onto Tilghman Island.
After driving over the bridge, turn left onto CHICKEN POINT RD (it will be the first street on your left)
Our land base office is the third house on the left. The house number is 21548. On the map, the house location is marked with a pin. You will see a big parking lot by the house. Please park in marked spots if possible.
Follow the stone path from the parking lot to the pier. MES staff and the Terrapin will be there to pick your group up at the predetermined pickup time. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to call Poplar Island’s main telephone number at 410-770-6500.