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Kessler said Citizens Connect’s mission during the administration of President Donald Trump is to bring attention to the impact of federal policies and budget cuts on local interests.

Caivano said since Trump was elected, there are many areas of concern — including immigration, health care and education — that the group seeks to discuss in a nonpartisan way.

The group’s first public meeting focused on Eastern Neck Island, a major tourist attraction in Kent County and the Upper Shore.

The discussion, “Eastern Neck: Can it Survive Federal Budget Cuts,� was held Aug. 18 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Chestertown, where Caivano and Kessler are members.

“The survival of Eastern Neck Island is in jeopardy,� Kessler told an audience of about 80.

Guest speakers included Friends of Eastern Neck President Bill Burton and Vice President Bonnie Ford. They described the work of their nonprofit organization, which has about 300 members and 50 volunteers. The group assists the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which maintains the refuge and whose work could be threatened by budget cuts.

Burton, who has worked in environmental sciences for 44 years, said the group has been instrumental in projects such as repairing the slate roof of the 1930 lodge and replacing windows, a $55,000 expense. They also staff the visitor center, tend the butterfly garden and help with repairs wherever needed.

But those services could be threatened, he said.

Ford said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, so cuts to the department affect the refuge.

Ford added that over many years, there have been cuts regardless of which party controlled the White House.

In Maryland, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, located 12 miles south of Cambridge, operates the Chesapeake Marshlands complex of four refuges, one of which is Eastern Neck Island.

The Blackwater staff has diminished over time.

“In 2007, there were 23 employees. Currently there are 11,� Ford said. “And Eastern Neck currently has no on-site staff but relies on those from Blackwater.�

Ford said although the problem seemed bipartisan, Elon Musk’s email across federal agencies concerning voluntary retirement and mandatory buyouts led to further staff reductions.

“Some at the beginning of the year took the retirement offer and Blackwater staff dropped from 14 to 11,� she said.

Additionally, an executive order signed Feb. 25 requires department heads to submit a reduction in force plan. The speakers said this has decreased morale among U.S. Fish and Wildlife personnel.

The reduction in force plan has not been made public, but Friends of Eastern Neck want to be proactive. Their goal is to avoid further losses and keep staffing at current levels.

Burton said the staff is essential.

“Staff are not just there to mow the lawn,� he said. “They are specialists and biologists employing scientific techniques to maximize the refuge’s potential. They do controlled burns. They raise and lower levels in ponds. They grow habitats for wildlife and much more.�

Without their services, the refuge would close, Burton said. Friends of Eastern Neck said it is a place they cannot lose, drawing 70,000 visitors annually.

Ford urged attendees to join a letter-writing campaign to local, state and federal lawmakers. More information is available on the Friends of Eastern Neck website, .

“Don’t just assume because of politics they will not seek to protect the refuge. Seeing people care about this has been a very humbling experience for me,� she said.

She said there is common ground between hunters, anglers, environmentalists and politicians on the need to “maintain a refuge … as a refuge.�

Public comment produced more ideas.

One person suggested involving the public school system by having children draw pictures of the refuge to influence lawmakers. Another suggested mobilizing people to raise awareness about climate change. Someone else recommended enlisting business bureaus.

Ducks Unlimited and other outdoor organizations have strong lobbying influence, said one woman active in politics.

She noted that U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who serves on the appropriations committee, and U.S. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md. 1st) are particularly involved in this issue.

People exited the meeting energized and united over the local issue, which pleased the organizers. Afterward, membership in Citizens Connect increased, Burton said.

“I think Burton and Ford did a beautiful job speaking across the political spectrum and to the community,� Kessler said.

The next Citizens Connect meeting will be Sept. 15 at the Kent Cultural Alliance. The topic will be how to talk with people from different backgrounds and political views. Anthony Flaccavento, founding director of the Rural-Urban Bridge Initiative, will be the guest speaker.