Patton Recognized As Golden Osprey Winner

Patton Recognized As Golden Osprey Winner
Patton

BERLIN – The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) has named Tom Patton as the winner of our prestigious Golden Osprey Award for his life-long commitment to preserving our natural and cultural heritage.

Patton has played an important role in the success of the MCBP. He has served on the Coastal Bays Fisheries Advisory Committee and assisted with blue crab issues and growth-related concerns. He was one of the driving forces behind the state and Worcester County seeking acceptance into the National Estuary Program. 

Patton was instrumental in lobbying Congress in the 1960s to create the Assateague Island National Seashore and he was an early participant in the Committee to Preserve Assateague Island, now known as the Assateauge Coastal Trust. He was the driving force behind moving that group from Baltimore to Berlin and changing the focus of ACT to include the entire coastal bays watershed.   

Patton published the book “Listen to the Voices, Follow the TrailsDiscovering Maryland’s Seaside Heritage”, an insightful account of the unique natural and cultural history of Maryland’s seacoast. In 2004, he created the nonprofit Rackliffe House Trust with the goal to restore the former plantation house located adjacent to the Sinepxuent Bay into a coastal heritage museum. He has volunteered with the Maryland Historical Society, the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Committee, St. Martin’s Church Preservation Foundation and serves on the board of ACT.

The Golden Osprey has only been awarded three times before in the history of the Coastal Bays Program. Patton joins Ilia and Joe Fehrer Sr., Jeanne Lynch and Carolyn Cummins in receiving the honor. The MCBP will hold a party to honor Patton at the Globe on Feb. 18 at 6pm. Tickets are $20 for MCBP members and $25 for non members and includes hors d’oeuvres and a signature Osprey drink. Tickets must be purchased in advance by Feb. 8.

To purchase tickets contact Anita Ferguson at [email protected] or 410-213-2297, ext. 109.