Md. Eastern Shore wildlife refuge looks to expand CAMBRIDGE, MD. (wesm) - (AP) The Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore is looking to expand with the help of federal funding.

An appropriations bill for the Department of the Interior passed by the House and Senate last week contains $2 million for the refuge.

Refuge manager Suzanne Baird tells WBOC-TV the refuge will use the money to buy between 500 and 1,000 additional acres of land. Baird says the extra space will help endangered species like the Delmarva fox squirrel and migratory birds like Canada geese.

Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin says the refuge is a national treasure vital to migratory birds, but it is currently separated into several separate parcels and the funding will protect tracts in between from development.

© Copyright 2009, wesm