Man Single-Handedly Trying to Rebuild Island

Steve White is desperately trying to save Holland Island, Maryland from the ravages if tidal erosion and sea level rise. This picturesque island -- now broken into three sections by wave action -- was at one time home to 300 islanders who braved the harsh conditions of Chesapeake Bay to catch fish, crabs and oysters. They lived a simple life. But in the early 1900's, the islanders were forced to flee. Now, erosion has savagely attacked Holland Island. One house of 300 remains, lovingly protected and cared for by Steve White.

White had visited the island as a boy, returned later in life to buy it, and now spends most days in his solitary quest to salvage what is left of this place so rich with dwindling Chesapeake habitat and wildlife.

White is hopeful that someone will help him save Holland Island from the elements. To help finance his effort, he runs the Holland Island Preservation Foundation.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Holland
• Island
• Chesapeake
• Bay
• Maryland
• Steve
• White
• wildlife
• pelicans
• erosion
• Outdoors

[ECsponger2]

Very sad watching this after the last house is now gone :/

[lovemetalhatejuggalo]

ida loved to see this place in person...the house is gone now i beleive

[lm2857]

great video, except you got one little detail wrong. I know stephen white personnally and i know that a big part of his efforts is trying to make people aware that holland island is sinking because of severe erosion problems, not because of rising sea levels. He doesnt even believe sea levels are rising and niether do i. I do hope you correct that piece of vital information and if you would like you can see my video i made about holland island. Its calld "holland island documntary".

[TheCooljerk11]

I would help every day bit I live in Arizona and am only 15 but every bit helps

[Bhav341]

@jello934 I think they tried that, back in the early days when there were still a lot of people on the island, and then again later. You just can't stop water, if it wants to take back the land, it will do it, no matter what.

[jello934]

i found a old 18th century medicine bottle on holland island over the summer.

[jello934]

well we need to created a wall around the house and then build around the wall and then go from there

[jhand350]

I agree, but the sad thing is that it probably won't happen due to the distance from Baltimore and other locations. The rebuilding material used at Poplar came from Baltimore's harbor and channel. I also feel that we should work on inhabited places first, like mainland Dorchester county and Smith Island.

[Perrysboy]

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest marine estuary in the United States. More than 200 million dollars have been spent studying it in the past 10-15 years. Does anyone know of any improvements during that time, or is all of the monies going to studies with no physical action that will result in "Saving the Bay?"

[Perrysboy]

The Chesapeake Bay is losing 250 acres of shoreline, mostly valuable wildlife habitat. Why does there seem to be such little concern? It as if it is so far below the radar screen that very few know about it.