Who We Are

Marshy wetland under a cloudy sky with water, reeds, and distant tree line

About Us

The Friends of Jug Bay (FOJB or Friends) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that was formed in 1986 to support and promote Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. The Friends receive funds from membership dues, donations, grants, fundraisers, and the sale of merchandise. Some of the projects and activities supported by these funds include research internships, summer camp scholarships, school bus transportation, stewardship projects, office and maintenance support, staff and volunteer development, scientific and educational equipment and materials, and other special projects.

Board Members

The business of the Friends is conducted by a Board of Directors made up of members with strong backgrounds and passions in the natural sciences. The Board meets every month to decide how to raise and disperse funds, and to monitor issues that could affect the Sanctuary. The Board of Directors welcomes suggestions from members and encourages them to help with projects and committee activities.


Love Jug Bay and want to help support its work? Consider joining the FOJB Board! To contact the Board please email info@jugbayfriends.org

Smiling woman in a pink life vest and cap on a calm river with trees in the background
Smiling woman in a black blazer and blue patterned scarf against a gray background.
Person smiling and holding a large striped fish outdoors by the water
Person taking a selfie by a calm river with green trees and grassy banks in the background
Smiling blonde woman seated on a porch with lush green plants in the background
Smiling man in a blue striped shirt outdoors with a blurred green background
Close-up portrait of a smiling man with gray hair and beard against a plain light background

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (JBWS or Sanctuary) is located within the tidal reaches of the Patuxent River, in southern Anne Arundel County. It was established in 1985 and is operated by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks. The Sanctuary protects about 1,700 acres of unique tidal freshwater marshes, forested wetlands, upland and riparian forest, creeks, meadows, pine and sand barrens, and fields along the Patuxent River. This protected land provides a safe haven for a high diversity of plants, insects, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and microbes, and to rich Native American cultural resources. JBWS has several properties, see visitation hours, maps, calendar of events, see http://www.jugbay.org

Black silhouette of grass blades above wavy water lines on a white background

Friends of Jug Bay’s network

Local – FOJB is a member of GreenGive. The GreenGive is a local, environmentally-focused, online initiative designed to both raise funds and expand residents’ and businesses’ engagement with local environmental organizations, issues, projects and actions. GreenGive is focused on water quality for the Greener Good of Anne Arundel Co. In addition to Friends of Jug Bay, members organizations: Arundel Rivers Federation Crownsville Conservancy, Scenic Rivers Land Trust, Severn River Association, Spa Creek Conservancy, St. Luke's Restoration of Nature, Unity Gardens and Watershed Stewards Academy. To lead more, please visit https://www.greengive.org/


Regional – In spring 2025, FOJB joined the Choose Clean Water Coalition. This organization advocates for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake Bay region. By coordinating policy, messaging, action, and accountability, the Coalition speaks louder with one voice toward our collective goal—clean water. Over 300 organizations are in the coalition principally from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York.


National – FOJB is a member of the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA). The Association are Friends and other groups that provide financial and support services to Reserves in the U.S. government’s National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). In Maryland, NERRS is called the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System Maryland (CB-NERRS MD). Learn more here https://dnr.maryland.gov/waters/cbnerr/Pages/default.aspx The Maryland components are Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Monie Bay, Otter Point, and Patuxent River Park.