Roots in the Sand: Assateague's Lasting Impact
- Matthew Heim
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
When I think about the places that have shaped me, Assateague Island always rises to the top. I was born in Ocean City, with my family living on 142nd Street, just a short walk from the beach. The sand never really left my shoes when my family moved to Salisbury. The beach has always been a constant in my life, a place where I’ve felt both grounded and renewed. I believe there are few things that salt water can’t heal.
Today, as a father, the shoreline has taken on an even deeper meaning. Watching my kids splash in the waves, dig molecrabs along the shore, and discover the same joy I did in the surf is an experience I treasure. Seeing the beach through their eyes has only strengthened my appreciation for the natural beauty and wild spirit of Assateague.
The undeveloped stretch of Assateague Island is one of our region’s greatest treasures. Its windswept dunes, maritime forests, and open beaches remind us what the coast once looked like before heavy development. I am profoundly grateful to all who worked to preserve this remarkable place so it can remain natural, wild, and free for my children, for me, and for generations yet to come.
At the Lower Shore Land Trust, we are committed to that same vision. Our mission is to ensure that the landscapes that define our home remain protected so families today and tomorrow can continue to find joy, healing, and connection in nature’s beauty.
