Waterfowl Festival Donates $5,000 to Talbot Retriever Club, Strengthening Shared Commitment to Conservation and Sporting Heritage
The Waterfowl Festival is proud to announce a $5,000 grant to the Talbot Retriever Club in support of its ongoing efforts to promote responsible sporting traditions, conservation, and community engagement across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Funds from the Samuel H. Shriver, Jr. Sporting Heritage Endowment were used to fulfill this request.
This contribution reflects a longstanding relationship between the two organizations, both of which share a deep commitment to preserving the region’s rich waterfowling heritage and the natural environments that sustain it. The Talbot Retriever Club plays a vital role in training and showcasing skilled retrievers, advancing ethical hunting practices, and fostering appreciation for working dogs as essential partners in the field.
“For decades, the Talbot Retriever Club has worked with the festival to educate festival attendees by hosting retriever demonstrations downtown, showcasing the amazing bond between these highly-trained pups and their humans,” remarked festival Vice-President Charles Wrightson. “Consistenly their demos are noted as a favorite event attended by generations of families throughout the years. We are proud to support their efforts.”
Funds from the donation will help support the Club’s training programs, events, and outreach initiatives, which bring together sportsmen and women of all ages to learn, compete, and connect through a shared passion for retrievers and the outdoors.
As the Waterfowl Festival continues its mission to inspire environmental stewardship through art, education, and community programming, partnerships like this remain essential in ensuring that the legacy of the Eastern Shore’s sporting culture endures for future generations.
Image: Waterfowl Festival presents $5K check to Talbot Retriever Club (pictured) Danny Callahan (Talbot Retriever Club Vice-President)( Phyliss McGinn and Butch Chambers (Talbot Retriever Club Board Members), Deena Kilmon, Waterfowl Festival Executive Director; Winston Chance (Talbot Retriever Club President), Candace Bartolowits (Talbot Retriever Club Treasurer)
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About the Waterfowl Festival
Since 1971, the Waterfowl Festival has raised nearly six million dollars for conservation and education efforts. Proceeds from the festival support various environmental, art, student scholarships, and cultural initiatives, ensuring that future generations can understand and enjoy the beauty and diversity of waterfowl and their environments. The festival also plays a vital role in supporting the local community, drawing visitors from around the country and boosting the regional economy.
The Waterfowl Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Historic Trust, the Town of Easton, Talbot County Government, and all of our incredible community partners including the hundreds of volunteers that make all the magic happen.
About The Samuel H. Shriver Jr. Sporting Heritage Fund
The fund was established in the memory of long-time Festival supporter and volunteer, Samuel H. Shriver, Jr. The Fund was established by members of the Shriver family in honor of Mr. Shriver’s love of the annual Waterfowl Festival and its sporting heritage foundation.











Waterfowl Chesapeake is pleased to announce its commitment of $20,000 in 2018 matching funds to support the restoration of two parcels of land in Dorchester County and creating 25 acres of “managed freshwater emergent wetland” – a favorite habitat for migratory waterfowl coming to the Chesapeake Bay region.