Welcome to the 2019 Edition of Cache Across Maryland, hosted by the Maryland Geocaching Society. This is one of ten geocaches placed throughout the "Old Line State" in locations chosen to showcase Maryland's diverse beauty, history and terrain. From the mountains of Western Maryland to the Atlantic Ocean, Cache Across Maryland 2019 will again demonstrate that Maryland truly is “America in Miniature”.

Each of the ten geocaches contains a code which you will use to determine the location of the CAM 2019 Picnic to be held on May 4th, 2019. The code can be found on the inside of the cache container and on the inside front cover of the logbook. Don't forget to record this code! Any geocacher who has completed all TEN of the CAM geocaches and attends the CAM Picnic on May 4th will receive a Certificate of Completion and a Cache Across Maryland 2019 commemorative geocoin in antique copper. We hope you enjoy CAM 2019!

Wye Island

Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area is located in the tidal recesses of the Chesapeake Bay between the Wye River and the Wye East River.  Of Wye Island's 2,800 acres, 2,450 are managed by the Maryland Park Service for Resource Management, Recreation and Agriculture.  A major emphasis at Wye Island is providing suitable habitat for wintering waterfowl populations and other native wildlife.  A primary resource management objective at Wye Island is the stabilization of the 30 miles of ever-eroding shoreline.  These efforts are accomplished through a partnership between the Department and numerous environmental advocacy groups, such as the Chesapeake Bay Trust, schools and scout groups.

For over 300 years, Wye Island was privately owned and managed for agricultural use, including tobacco and wheat farming. Two of the most noteworthy owners were William Paca and Charles Beale Bordley. Mr. Paca, third governor of Maryland and one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence, owned half of the island north of Dividing Creek. Mr. Bordley was a distinguished lawyer and jurist who owned half of the island south of Dividing Creek. In the 1770's Mr. Bordley gave up his law career to devote his life to farming and make Wye Island totally self-sufficient. Under Mr. Bordley's control, the island prospered with its own vineyards, orchards, textile production, brick yard, and even its own brewery.

Eventually the island was sold off into separate farms. The most influential owners were Glenn and Jacqueline Stewart. Ultimately they owned a majority of the land and turned Wye Island into a cattle ranch. The Stewart's built the hunting lodge (Duck House), which remains today on Granary Creek. In the mid 1970's the encroaching threat of residential development forced the State of Maryland to purchase the island to ensure its preservation.

Park Regulations:

• Hours: Open Daily, sunrise to sunset
• Keep all pets on leash; clean up after your pets.
• Portable restrooms available as posted parking and the Reference Point along the trail.
• No alcoholic beverages.
• Do not block any gates.
• Fishing from shore is by permit only (see this DNR webpage for further information).
• Hunting allowed only through managed hunts and lottery; see this DNR webpage for more information.
• Camping and fires are permitted ONLY in designated areas with appropriate reservations.
• Motorized vehicles are prohibited on trails, fields, field edges, buffer strips and grass waterways.