Mark's and Jack's Island Natural Area Preserve

Mark's and Jack's Island Natural Area Preserve is a protected area covering about 2,300 acres (930 hectares) with Chesapeake Bay beaches, marshes, shrublands, and forested areas. These varied environments support a wide range of plant and animal life in interconnected habitats.

The area features dune formations that developed over many centuries, now covered with mature pine and cherry trees on their crests. These natural structures formed through the interaction of wind, water, and geological processes along the Chesapeake Bay.

This location is recognized by conservation groups for its importance to migratory waterbirds and serves as a vital refuge within a larger network of coastal wetlands. Visitors can observe diverse bird species that depend on these marshes and shores during their seasonal movements.

Visiting this location requires traveling by boat and obtaining prior permission from the organization that manages the preserve. Visitors should plan ahead and follow access guidelines to protect the sensitive habitats.

The preserve is home to the northeastern beach tiger beetle, a federally protected species found on sandy shores in this region. These small beetles are specialized hunters and can sometimes be spotted by visitors who explore the shorelines.