ShoreRivers and Partners Gather for Second Social and Environmental Justice Community Convening

Representatives from ShoreRivers, Adkins Arboretum, Men for Change, Minary's Dream Alliance, Talbot Family Network, Kent Attainable Housing, His Hope Ministries, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, and Envision the Choptank are pictured at Adkins Arboretum. Photo by Margan Glover, who led the group on the arboretum’s “Rooted Wisdom: Nature’s Role in the Underground Railroad” walk.

ShoreRivers and eight non-profit partners came together at Adkins Arboretum last month for the organization’s second Social and Environmental Justice Community Convening. The group was comprised of local community-based organizations working on a variety of issues that are at the intersection of social and environmental justice, including equitable housing, youth pathways, and land access. Relationships built at these semi-annual Convenings will help ShoreRivers better understand community needs, activate River-Friendly Yards native planting projects, and collaborate on grant proposals to bring more resources to achieve our shared goals of healthy communities and waterways. They are made possible by a grant from The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment.

Representatives from ShoreRivers, Adkins Arboretum, Men for Change, Minary's Dream Alliance, Talbot Family Network, Kent Attainable Housing, His Hope Ministries, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, and Envision the Choptank spent the day sharing updates, collaborating on future partnerships, and learning how best to support each other’s missions. The group also shared recent successes, including new programs and a grant award for Minary’s Dream Alliance, a successful all-partner meeting for Envision the Choptank, and a blossoming partnership between Men for Change and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, two organizations who were connected by ShoreRivers earlier this year.  The group closed out the day by going on Adkins’ “Rooted Wisdom: Nature’s Role in the Underground Railroad” walk, traveling the grounds with a docent to understand how self-liberators used nature to forge a path for freedom. The next convening will be held in spring 2023.

Social justice and environmental justice are intrinsically linked, and both must be achieved to build the healthy, resilient, and joyful Eastern Shore community we all deserve to live in. ShoreRivers believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our staff, board, supporters, and programs are critical to achieving our mission of clean water. We believe that access to waterways fuels environmental stewardship; inclusion of diverse communities is essential to long term success; and diverse representation in our membership, staff, and board makes us stronger.

ShoreRivers Welcomes Three New Board Members

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce three new members of its Governing Board: Bruce Abel, Maura Bollinger, and Ron Rothman. As a grassroots nonprofit organization, the hard work and support of board members is imperative to the organization’s efforts for healthier rivers on the Eastern Shore. ShoreRivers extends deep gratitude for the wise counsel, encouragement, and vision of these exceptional community members.

Bruce Abel

Maura Bollinger

Ron Rothman

Bruce Abel began his term on the ShoreRivers’ Board this summer, and is a dedicated advocate for the organization, having previously served on the Miles-Wye Advisory Board. He retired as the Sr. Vice President and COO of C.R. Daniels, Inc., and has worked with the American Lyme Disease Association and Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Both he and his wife are active ShoreRivers volunteers, with a particular interest in oyster restoration and the Wye River.

Maura Bollinger is not new to ShoreRivers, having already served as an active volunteer and member of the organization’s Miles-Wye Watershed Advisory Board. Now retired, her professional career began as a telecommunications lawyer before a move overseas shifted her focus to policy work around media competition and free speech.  Around 10 years ago, she and her husband moved to the Eastern Shore and began volunteering for ShoreRivers in myriad ways, from participating in Marylanders Grow Oysters to surveying submerged aquatic vegetation and everything in between.

Ron Rothman, who serves on ShoreRivers’ Choptank Advisory Board, is also an active volunteer in his retirement from a career in nonprofits and development. He spent time working for organizations in fields ranging from healthcare, to research institutes, to the arts, and he’s currently active on a number of non-profit boards, both locally and in Pennsylvania. Ron and his wife have spent 40 years enjoying the rivers and creeks of the Eastern Shore.

These three voices will bring a wealth of expertise to ShoreRivers, strengthening the organization’s robust science-based advocacy, restoration, and education efforts. See the full list of Board of Directors and Watershed Advisory Board members at ShoreRivers.org/leadership.

ShoreRivers also celebrates Bob Ingersoll, whose board term ends this year after decades of service. A river enthusiast and dedicated volunteer, Bob is always happy to share his knowledge of the river as well as his skills as a handyman. From mending oyster cages, to hanging cabinets in offices, to driving the boat for water quality testing, he exemplifies a can-do attitude and positive energy.

In addition to the Governing Board, ShoreRivers appreciates open dialogue with dedicated community member volunteers through its four Watershed Advisory Boards. Volunteers for each Watershed Advisory Board support the organization’s mission as local, grassroots ambassadors. New advisory board members who care deeply about their river and their community and are ready to volunteer their time to work for cleaner waterways are always welcome. Please contact your local Riverkeeper if that sounds like you.

ShoreRivers Programs Keep Thousands of Gallons of Waste Out of Our Rivers

The ShoreRivers pumpout boat, pictured assisting a boat at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, pumps more waste each year from recreational boaters on the Miles and Wye rivers, preventing that nutrient and bacteria pollution from entering our waterways. Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

As part of its efforts to protect and restore Eastern Shore waterways, ShoreRivers regularly works to identify and address all pollution sources, including nutrient pollution and harmful bacteria that can be introduced from recreational boaters’ waste. Boat discharge, especially in marinas, high boat traffic areas, and sheltered coves, can lead to pollution hotspots that pose serious health risks to humans and animals.

ShoreRivers’ pumpout boat— a convenient way to properly dispose of waste rather than discharging it into our waterways—recently wrapped another season on the Miles and Wye rivers assisting local boaters committed to more river-friendly boating practices. The 2022 season saw an impressive 20,155 gallons of waste pumped out of 460 tanks, bringing the boat’s lifetime total to 119,367 gallons kept out of our rivers since the program began in 2016.

The pumpout boat program operates with funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and in partnership with Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. CBMM donates free dockage, storage, and use of their land-based pumpout station to offload the waste from the boat. The sewage then goes directly to the St. Michaels wastewater treatment plant. For more details on this free service, which is offered between May and November, visit shorerivers.org/programs/pumpout-boat.

In the Chester River, boaters have been required to pump their waste at official pumpout stations since 2021 after a multi-year effort by ShoreRivers resulted in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources designating the river as the second No Discharge Zone in the state’s Chesapeake watershed. For a list of marinas where pumpout stations can be found, visit shorerivers.org/programs/no-discharge-zone.

“We all want swimmable, fishable, boatable rivers,” said ShoreRivers’ Director of Riverkeeper Programs Matt Pluta. “It’s something we work hard for every day at ShoreRivers, and we’re grateful to all recreational boaters who have joined us in our efforts to improve local water quality.”

Former ShoreRivers Board Chair Recognized for Service

From left, Rebekah Hock, ShoreRivers Director of Development; Anna Wolgast, former Executive Director of the Chester River Association; Brennan Starkey, former Chair of the ShoreRivers Board and award recipient; Isabel Hardesty, ShoreRivers Executive Director; and Pat Starkey, are pictured during the Mid-Shore Community Foundations’ recent awards luncheon.

Brennan Starkey, former Chair of the ShoreRivers’ Governing Board who oversaw the creation of the organization, was recognized earlier this month with the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s J. McKenny Willis, Jr. Award.

This award, established in honor of Mr. Willis who devoted his time and personal resources to improving the quality of life in the Mid-Shore region, recognizes nonprofit organizations for providing outstanding service to the community and is presented to a volunteer who has been instrumental in the success of the organization.

As Chair of the ShoreRivers Board from 2017–2021, and of the Chester River Association before that, Starkey guided Chester River Association, Sassafras River Association, and Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy through what could have been a complicated merger process with clear and caring leadership that ensured the result—and the organization's future—was successful.

“Brennan was one of the first volunteers I met when I began my career in Chestertown more than a decade ago, and he and his wife Pat had been dedicated to the cause for many years before that. It’s been a privilege to experience his steadfast commitment to our mission guide the merging of our three environmental organizations to achieve greater results for families, farmers, and all community members who enjoy our waterways,” says Isabel Hardesty, ShoreRivers Executive Director.

Today, ShoreRivers has become much more than the sum of its parts in terms of its people, its revenue, and its impact thanks to his exceptional governance. Operating a large-scale family farm on the shores of the Sassafras River is more than a full-time job, but Starkey was able to share his business expertise, compassion for the community, and deep-seated appreciation for the environment with his fellow volunteers and the three organization's staff to ensure a respectful and effective transition.

In addition to Starkey, MSCF also presented members of the environmental community with special recognition awards for their achievements, including Chesapeake photographer Dave Harp and Elaine Tama & Marion Arnold of Plastic Free Easton.

Established in 1992, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that connects private resources with public needs to enhance the quality of life throughout the Mid-Shore region of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.

ShoreRivers Offers Scholarships for Landscape Professionals

ShoreRivers is offering full scholarships for local landscape professionals to complete level one of the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council’s Chesapeake Bay Landscaping Professional training. Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council.

The major pollutants in our waterways are nutrients and sediment: basically, fertilizer and soil. These substances are essential for our lands and catastrophic in our water. The way we care for our landscapes, both agricultural and residential, determines whether nutrients and sediment stay put to nourish plants or run off to pollute our rivers.  If you are a landscape professional working on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, you are now eligible for a full scholarship from ShoreRivers to become certified in practices that are healthy for our local waterways and the Bay.

The Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council’s Chesapeake Bay Landscaping Professional program provides training to create a community of certified landscaping professionals who will be better stormwater partners and environmental stewards. Thanks to grant funding from the France-Merrick and Robert F. Schumann Foundations, ShoreRivers is offering 12 level one scholarships for the program this winter, advancing the goals of our River-Friendly Yards program by building a network of trained, trusted professionals whom we can recommend to residents and engage as contractors for restoration and planting projects.

Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

ShoreRivers has a vision of swimmable, fishable waterways for generations to come, and we believe community members and landscape professionals share this vision. If you employ landscape professionals for your home, please let them know about this great opportunity to become certified as better caretakers of our yards and our rivers.

Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis for any landscape professional working on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. To apply, register at certified.cblpro.org/register and use the code SHORERIVERS for an upfront discount. Refunds for the remaining amount will be given after completion of the certification. Contact Darran White Tilghman, ShoreRivers Director of Community Engagement, with any questions at dtilghman@shorerivers.org

ShoreRivers Fondly Remembers Nick DiPasquale

Like so many others in the environmental community, we were saddened by the recent passing of Nick DiPasquale. Many of us at ShoreRivers knew Nick in his role as Director of the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program, and then our friendship grew when he retired and joined ShoreRivers first as a policy advisor and then as a Governing Board member. Nick shared his extensive expertise in Chesapeake restoration and environmental policy and we’re grateful to have had the opportunity to work closely with this pillar of our community. ShoreRivers staff reflect on their time with Nick:

“I first met Nick at the annual Watershed Forum in Shepherdstown, sometime in the early 2010s. I was new to my position as Chester Riverkeeper and new in my environmental career, and Nick had recently been appointed the Director of the Bay Program. On a late afternoon walk in the woods, I ran into Nick, also enjoying some quiet time in nature away from the conference. We walked together and he shared with me recent studies out of Japan showing that spending time among trees measurably improves your physical and mental health. His genuine joy at the idea of ‘tree bathing’ and his clear pleasure in sharing the science behind it with me was a wonderful and powerful encounter as a young professional. I was awed and so appreciative of his time and wisdom.” — Isabel Hardesty, ShoreRivers Executive Director

“‘Nicky D’ was a great friend and one of the kindest and gentlest souls you could ever meet. He went out of his way to help ShoreRivers in our formative years, when many environmental organizations were courting him for board service just after his retirement in 2017. It was like getting Sandy Koufax or Babe Ruth to help coach your little league team; he brought credibility and science to the fledgling ShoreRivers when he joined our board in 2018. Nick loved helping others and educating anyone on the environment and on just how important balance in nature is. I will always remember Nick very fondly; I think he was the only person I know who flew the Earth Day flag at his house every day. So long Nick, let us know what kind of kayaks they have up there.” — Jeff Horstman, former ShoreRivers Executive Director

“I first met Nick when I invited him to present to the Legacy Institute for the Environment classes I was facilitating at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center. It was a long shot call for me but he said yes! He presented each year for at least six years, and his last presentation was just after he officially gave notice of his resignation. He was able to speak freely, unattached to federal communication rules. He broke from his typical lecture and spoke from the heart as he shared his motivations for pursuing a career in environmentalism. He dug in deep to his emotional connections to the natural world and the whole class witnessed his passion as he cried through the last section of his talk. I will never forget the words he spoke and always admired him for taking time away from his ‘BIG’ job to come to meet with our little class of 20 and share how the Bay was being managed.” — Courtney Leigh, ShoreRivers Membership Manager

“A number of years ago, Nick joined a bus tour we hosted highlighting agricultural restoration projects around the watershed. At the time I hadn’t yet met the Director of the Bay Program, and Nick was so humble that I didn't know it was him until afterward when someone told me! In the world of environmental restoration and protection, we could all benefit from being like Nick, or being inspired by Nick.” — Matt Pluta, ShoreRivers Choptank Riverkeeper

“My husband, Ben, and I were excited to see a green ecology flag hanging from the house of our new neighbors on Queen Street and even more impressed when we learned that neighbor's credentials. It turned out that we had won the neighbor lottery with Nick and Becky. These goodhearted folks always welcomed the joyful noise of our children and worked to make their home and our community better. With all of his accomplishments, Nick was always kind, approachable, and generous with his knowledge, whether it was about the restoration workforce or basement insulation. On one of my very first days at ShoreRivers, we went out to plant oysters on sanctuary reefs, and I was assigned to the crew on the pontoon boat Summer Breeze, which included Nick and Becky. They brought humor and hard work to the task, but most of all I remember their evident affection for one another. I thought that day (and still do) that I hope Ben and I will be that way in our next phase of life: young at heart, enjoying shared work, and singing along to Summer Breeze." — Darran White Tilghman, ShoreRivers Director of Community Engagement

“I always think of Nick with a smile on his face. His dependable good cheer and unfailing support for environmental advocacy and our work at ShoreRivers meant so much to all of us. He will be missed by so many who treasured his friendship.” — Kristin Junkin, ShoreRivers Director of Operations & Finance

Nick’s resume was impressive, but beyond his professional accomplishments, he was an incredible friend and mentor. We send our love to his wife, Becky, and the rest of his family as we collectively mourn this great loss to our community.

Fred Pomeroy Receives ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship at Riverboat Rendezvous

Isabel Hardesty, Executive Director of ShoreRivers; Fred Pomeroy, winner of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship; and Matt Pluta, Choptank Riverkeeper and ShoreRivers’ Director of Riverkeeper Programs, are pictured at the organization’s inaugural Riverboat Rendezvous & Race on November 5.

On November 5, Fred Pomeroy was named the third recipient of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship during the organization’s Riverboat Rendezvous & Race. The award recognizes an individual or entity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for their transformational accomplishments as a steward of the environment.

The founding President of Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth, Pomeroy serves as a watchdog and protector for his community. He is a conservationist when it comes to farming and, in addition to working with ShoreRivers on a wetland project, he has implemented acres of buffers, additional wetlands, and quail habitat on his farmland.

"It’s our responsibility as citizens who want to leave a better world to the coming generations to forsake the easy path of cynicism and apathy. In doing so we need to broaden our coalitions by reaching out to underserved folks and those whose political persuasions are different from our own," Pomeroy, a lifelong waterman, Century Farm owner, poet, former teacher, and courageous citizen activist, said while accepting his award. “[Let’s] resolve to keep speaking up for the environment with a glad heart and a generous spirit.”

Pomeroy also brings a conservationist mindset to the water where he operates several acres of oyster leases near Stoney Cove in the Little Choptank River and from where he gets many of the oysters he's donated for ShoreRivers' events. He has also served as an advisor and mentor for ShoreRivers staff on major issues related to Chesapeake Bay fisheries, nutrient pollution, irresponsible development, and other threats that undermine a fundamental right to clean water.

“Fred’s ‘leave it for the next generation’ attitude inspires us all to work harder to ensure that generations to come are able to enjoy fishable, swimmable, boatable rivers on the Eastern Shore,” said Matt Pluta, ShoreRivers Director of Riverkeeper Programs, who presented the award. “He’s an invaluable asset to our region, and someone I’m proud to call a mentor, and a friend.”

ShoreRivers—and the 250 supporters in attendance at the event—were proud to recognize Pomeroy, a true renaissance man and champion of the environment, with this year’s award. After the reception, attendees boarded two turn-of the-century paddlewheelers at the Choptank Riverboat Company and raced to a photo finish where expert helmsmen encouraged more than $44,000 in gifts to support the Riverkeeper program. Visit shorerivers.org to learn more.

Forever Chemicals Found in Eastern Shore Waterways

Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta collects water samples from La Trappe Creek in 2021 that were included in a study on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in U.S. surface waters and showed concerning levels of the manmade “forever chemicals.” Photo by Dave Harp.

ShoreRivers’ Riverkeepers are calling for increased testing by the state after the results of a recently released study on PFAS contamination in U.S. surface waters showed concerning levels of the “forever chemical” in some Eastern Shore waterways. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are manmade chemicals that persist in the environment and can be highly toxic with continued exposure.

The study, conducted by Waterkeeper Alliance, assessed PFAS levels in 114 watersheds around the country, including 16 within the Chesapeake Bay region. Maryland had the highest total number of detections and the highest number of different PFAS compounds detected in waterways nationwide. La Trappe Creek, a tributary of the Choptank River, had the second highest number of detections in the state for three of the five most prevalent compounds.

“The results of this study clearly demonstrate the need to urgently increase monitoring for these chemicals in our rivers,” said Matt Pluta, ShoreRivers’ Choptank Riverkeeper and Director of Riverkeeper Programs. “Once we begin detecting PFAS in local waterways and on our land, it’s only a matter of time before we begin to detect them in the fish, crabs, oysters, and even venison that we eat.”

PFAS are a family of manmade chemicals used for decades to create things like water-repellant clothing, non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, textile treatments like Scotchgard, stain resistant fabrics, personal care products, and food contact materials like microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers. They are are biopersistent, meaning they remain in organisms indefinitely without breaking down, and are bioaccumulative, meaning that over time, they build up in ever increasing amounts in people, wildlife, aquatic life, and the environment.

PFAS can also enter wastewater treatment systems after being absorbed by humans who consume contaminated meat and fish and then discharged into waterways or applied to farm fields in the form of biosolids fertilizer. Continued exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health effects including cancers and other diseases of the thyroid, liver, and kidney, and developmental issues in fetuses and infants.

Of the eight water samples that ShoreRivers collected for the study, PFAS were detected in five. In addition to La Trappe Creek, where the sample was collected at the point of discharge from the Trappe wastewater treatment plant, concerning levels of PFAS were also detected in Mill Creek on the Wye East River, Morgan Creek’s Urieville Lake on the Chester River, and Mill Creek in the Sassafras River watershed.

“The Eastern Shore has a number of wastewater spray irrigation permits and smaller wastewater treatment plants that are aging and failing to meet treatment standards,” Pluta said. “The PFAS results from La Trappe Creek at the point where the Town of Trappe’s wastewater treatment plant discharges underscore the need to upgrade and modernize the treatment technology at these older systems before contamination levels get worse.”

The study organized by Waterkeeper Alliance comes on the heels of an effort from the Maryland Department of the Environment to sample fish tissues for PFAS in 2020. The department reported that samples from the Eastern Shore showed no levels of concern, but issued its first-ever fish consumption advisory based on PFAS levels in Piscataway Creek in Prince George’s County, and a first of its kind wastewater discharge permit for the Naval Support Facility Indian Head requiring monitoring for PFAS in wastewater and biosolids.

To learn more about the report from Waterkeeper Alliance, a nonprofit focused on clean water that connects and mobilizes more than 300 local waterkeeper groups like ShoreRivers worldwide, and to read the study’s results in full, visit waterkeeper.org/pfas. ShoreRivers believes that more testing is needed to present a clearer picture of the presence of these chemicals and their effects on Eastern Shore waterways. To support those efforts, or to learn more about the work ShoreRivers is currently doing to monitor local rivers, visit shorerivers.org or contact your local riverkeeper.

Statement on the Approval of the Trappe East Wastewater Treatment Plant Permit

ShoreRivers is disappointed but not surprised by the approval of the Trappe East wastewater discharge permit by the Maryland Department of the Environment. As we told MDE in our initial comments, spray irrigation is not an adequate means of disposing wastewater without polluting the river. The intention of these permits is for wastewater sprayed onto fields to be absorbed by crops, but much of the nutrients end up percolating into our groundwater instead. Showing the inadequacies of these types of spray irrigation systems, data from inspection reports on the Eastern Shore compiled by Chesapeake Legal Alliance for the years 2016–2020 proved that 54% of permit inspections ended in noncompliance. Multiple scientific studies show that 70% of the nitrogen flowing into our Eastern Shore rivers comes from groundwater. We have to protect our groundwater and our rivers by denying spray irrigation permits like this.

However, there are small gains to celebrate here as well. An unprecedented amount of public comment was submitted on this permit that sent the message—loud and clear—to the state of Maryland that we won't allow for blanket approvals that prioritize the wants of developers and companies over the needs of our citizens and the environment. And thanks to these comments and incredible participation by the public, the final permit does include more water quality protections than the original by limiting the wastewater discharge to 100,000 gallons, nearly one sixth of the proposed amount, and reducing the size of the development from nearly 2,500 buildings to 400. We hope that the permit, as approved, will stand and that further needs for the planned development will not include the dumping of massive amounts of wastewater on our land

Members of the public, scientists, lawyers, and experts earned these achievements by engaging in the process and putting forth legitimate concerns about how their fundamental right to clean water would be impacted by the original proposal. ShoreRivers will remain vigilant in our monitoring of this development in order to protect our precious natural resources. Thank you for stepping up in the public process and helping us advocate for clean water.

Matt Pluta
Director of Riverkeeper Programs

ShoreRivers Empowers Next Generation of Land Stewards

Laura Wood (left) is ShoreRivers’ Agriculture & Outreach Coordinator. She and her sisters, Olivia Wood (right) and Julia Anderson, are next generation land stewards for two farms on the Chester and Corsica rivers that have been in their families for 11 generations. In 2023, ShoreRivers will convene the first cohort of Next Generation Land Stewards—people who are new or upcoming agricultural landowners—to share resources and expertise, and create a network of peer support. Email lwood@shorerivers.org to learn more.

ShoreRivers is excited to announce that it will be launching a new program focused on supporting the next generation of agricultural land stewards on the Eastern Shore. Since 92% of land in Maryland is privately owned, it is crucial that landowners are engaged in conservation if we wish to see significant improvements in our landscape’s ecological function and in the health of our rivers. ShoreRivers will help rising stewards set conservation objectives concurrent with agronomic and profitability goals.

This new program, funded by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, is the brainchild of ShoreRivers staff members who are the stewards of long-held family farms in the region.

“In 2020, ShoreRivers’ Director of Community Engagement Darran White Tilghman and I gathered our families together for an afternoon to explore each of our family farms and talk about the beauty, the worries, and the opportunities that face us as the next generation of stewards for these farms,” said Laura Wood, ShoreRivers’ Ag & Outreach Coordinator. “The conversations sparked the idea for this program, as we knew we were not the only ones navigating the responsibilities of multigenerational land stewardship, and we wanted to connect with others to build a community of learning and support.”

In 2023, ShoreRivers will convene the first cohort of Next Generation Land Stewards—people who are new or upcoming agricultural landowners—to share resources and expertise, and create a network of peer support.

“Although we are only second-generation land owners, the Drummond family has been farming land in the Delmarva region since immigrating here from Europe. This farm was my father-in-law’s passion,” said Katie Drummond, ShoreRivers’ Restoration Designer. “Making this farm our home, preserving the land, and maintaining it in agricultural production ensures that his life’s work lives on through us and future generations.”

Workshops with expert partners, including the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and American Farmland Trust, will explore topics such as succession planning, equitable farm leases that include conservation, forest stewardship, government incentives, and land easements. This program will connect participants to existing efforts and resources—such as the Conservation Reserve Program and the Natural Lands Project, among others—that will educate and empower the next generation of land stewards to feel confident as they navigate the decisions that will define our landscapes and waterways for years to come.

Whether you are the first generation on family land or the 15th, this program is for you. To learn more or join our first cohort of Next Generation Land Stewards who will help build this program, contact Laura Wood at lwood@shorerivers.org.

Celebrating 50 Years of the Clean Water Act

On October 18, 1972, the Clean Water Act officially went into effect. This revolutionary law, which was passed in response to decades upon decades of toxic, industrial pollution and sewage being dumped into our nation’s waters, finally put restrictions on the companies making our water unsafe for human contact. It allowed community members to hold polluters accountable and set precedent for future efforts to ensure clean water for all Americans—an essential human right. It’s also a vital tool for groups like ShoreRivers, that work to protect and restore our waterways.  

The Clean Water Act laid the groundwork for the work we’re still doing today. From suing companies who put profit over public health by refusing to modernize failing wastewater treatment plants, to advocating for endangered species and fragile ecosystems, to putting pressure on governmental agencies to enforce the laws they’re sworn to uphold, we remain committed protecting and restoring our Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. 

As we celebrate 50 years of this important piece of legislation, we also look ahead to the next 50. The Act set a goal of eliminating the discharge of pollutants to the nation’s waters by 1985, and, in 2022, we’re still not there. In fact, in a meeting of the Chesapeake Executive Council this week, leaders of the Bay states acknowledged we will not make the 2025 deadline set under the Bay Total Maximum Daily Load strategy. And while the Clean Water Act has been responsible for massive reductions in point-source (or traceable) pollution, the Eastern Shore and our waterways face pollution sources that are harder to identify and harder to eliminate. Our work isn’t done.

 We urge you to stay in the fight with us as we continue to work to see the Clean Water Act’s initial goals realized by supporting your local environmental groups and voting for clean water this November.

Isabel Hardesty
Executive Director, ShoreRivers

ShoreRivers Hosts Inaugural Riverboat Rendezvous and Race

Join ShoreRivers for an on-the-water celebration and friendly competition on Saturday, November 5, during the inaugural Riverboat Rendezvous and Race. Visit shorerivers.org/events to buy tickets and for additional details. Photo courtesy of the Choptank Riverboat Company.

Join ShoreRivers on Saturday, November 5, for its inaugural Riverboat Rendezvous and Race, an on-the-water party and friendly competition hosted aboard the Choptank Riverboat Company’s turn-of-the-century paddle wheelers in Hurlock, MD. Tickets to attend this one-of-a-kind event are limited, so visit shorerivers.org/events to get yours today.

This nautical adventure begins at 2:00 pm with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres under the pavilion and the honoring of Fred Pomeroy, this year’s winner of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship. A waterman, Century Farm owner, poet, former teacher, and courageous citizen activist, Pomeroy’s tenacity and grassroots organizing has been a galvanizing force in our community on behalf of clean water. Following the award ceremony, guests will board the Dorothy & Megan and Choptank River Queen for a tandem cruise and a rollicking race to the finish!

During the race, guests will have the chance to support ShoreRivers’ Riverkeeper program, a key part of its mission to protect and restore Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. Proceeds will help fund new boats and the equipment necessary to keep the Riverkeepers outfitted with all they need to be on the water monitoring and protecting our rivers.

“The Riverboat Rendezvous is a brand-new event, and promises to be an incredible afternoon,” said ShoreRivers Executive Director Isabel Hardesty. “Our volunteers and supporters in the area told us they were ready for a new kind of celebration after more than a decade of hosting a Wild & Scenic Film Festival. We’re very grateful for the energy and imagination they have put in to creating this event that can showcase our mission from the water!” ShoreRivers invites guests to have fun and show off their favorite nautical attire from any era as they raise their paddles for the Riverkeepers and race their vessels to the finish line.

ShoreRivers extends special thanks to River Steward Sponsors: James & Pamela Harris, The Easton Group at Morgan Stanley and EcoPrint; River Guardian Sponsors: Bruce & Barbara Boyd, William & Meta Boyd, Eugene Lopez & Mary Revell Lopez, Alfred & Martha Sikes, Richard & Beverly Tilghman, and Philip & Irmy Webster; and Patron Sponsors: Bruce & Jenny Abel, William & Barbara Lane, Ron Rothman & Robin Stricoff, and Theodore Carski & Janet Ruhl. Sponsorships are still available at various levels and include complimentary tickets—email Freya Farley at ffarley@shorerivers.org to learn more.

ShoreRivers uses DNA Tracking to Identify Bacteria Pollution Sources

By collecting, analyzing, and distributing data on bacteria levels in our waterways, ShoreRivers aims to provide the public with the information needed to make educated decisions about contact with the water. This year, ShoreRivers monitored bacteria levels at 45 sites around the region—a major expansion from last year's 32 sites—providing a critical public health service for communities and identifying pollution hotspots for future restoration efforts.

A team of citizen scientists called SwimTesters volunteer their time to test these sites weekly between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and generous site sponsors cover a portion of the associated costs. These SwimTesters monitor for enterococci bacteria at popular public access locations, marinas, yacht clubs, and town piers. The program follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standard protocols for collecting and analyzing samples and uses a pass/fail system to determine if bacteria levels are safe or unsafe for swimming. Results can be found during the season at shorerivers.org/swim, and at theswimguide.org, or by following #SwimmableShoreRivers or your local Riverkeeper’s pages on social media.

ShoreRivers has begun tracking sources of bacteria pollution at sites that consistently fail in the span of a season. This additional level of data will help ShoreRivers hone in on chronic causes of pollution in our waterways and identify mitigation strategies.

Multiple years of bacteria monitoring have highlighted sites that consistently show elevated levels of bacteria, indicating a chronic source of pollution that could be caused by failing septic systems, waste from animal farms, or manure fertilizer. Acute sources of bacteria pollution include overflows from wastewater treatment plants and pet or wild animal waste. Of the 45 sites monitored by ShoreRivers SwimTesters this year, nine failed to meet the threshold for safe water contact more than half of the times they were tested. These sites are located on the Choptank River: Red Bridges in Greensboro, Hillsboro Landing, Choptank Marina Beach, Trappe Landing, and Willis Street Beach in Cambridge; in Eastern Bay: Broad Cove near Claiborne; and on the Chester River: Millington Waterfront Park, Morgan Creek Landing, and Broad Neck Landing.

Thanks to generous private donations and funding from the Cornell Douglas Foundation, ShoreRivers has begun tracking the sources of this bacteria pollution. In partnership with Jonah Ventures in Colorado, who works with several other Riverkeeper organizations, ShoreRivers utilized DNA testing over several weeks to identify specific animal sources of this bacterial pollution—whether it be human, poultry, canine, or swine. This new type of testing measures the number of DNA copies found per 100ml of sample water.

“DNA copies do not indicate the presence of active bacteria on their own,” said Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards. “However, when paired with ShoreRivers bacteria testing for fecal enterococci, we can begin to track patterns between high bacteria levels and the most abundant DNA species present in the water at the time a sample was collected.”

Results from 2022 testing indicate the overwhelming majority of DNA present across our rivers is human, making shoreline septic systems, wastewater treatment outfalls, and illegal marine discharge key sources to monitor in the year ahead.

“DNA testing is another tool in our belt to help ShoreRivers identify pollution sources and start working toward real mitigation strategies,” says Richards. “It’s more important than ever to fully fund our testing sites so we can put more resources into DNA tracking next season. Accumulating multiple years of data is the best way for the Riverkeepers to discern trends for these impaired sites and advocate effectively with stakeholders across our watershed to find a solution.”

For the 2023 bacteria monitoring season, ShoreRivers is searching for sponsors for 18 sites. Site sponsorship allows ShoreRivers to redirect general funds to grow our source tracking program and to activate new sites from the waitlist. The cost to sponsor a site is $40 per week or $640 for an entire season. Anyone can be a sponsor—individuals, families, organizations, or communities. The more bacterial data gathered, the clearer ShoreRivers’ path will be to targeted restoration efforts in our local watersheds.

Clean water is an essential right for everyone, and everyone deserves to know if the water is safe for them and their families to access. For more information about our bacteria testing program and to become a site sponsor, visit shorerivers.org/swim or email your local Riverkeeper.

Fisherman, Scientists, Residents, and Environmentalists in Agreement on AquaCon

On September 19, the Mid-Shore Fishing Club and ShoreRivers were among roughly 75 attendees at a work session in Federalsburg on AquaCon, the Norwegian start-up trying to establish a 25-acre indoor salmon factory that will discharge 2.3 million gallons of contaminated water into Marshyhope Creek daily. For nearly two hours, AquaCon’s attorney spoke at the clearly disgruntled crowd, who were given little chance for public comment at the end of the meeting. We’d like to provide our comment now. 

 First, we applaud the Federalsburg Mayor & Town Council for hosting this session and for Mr. Showalter, on behalf of AquaCon, for his participation. However, after nearly a three-hour meeting in total, we left with more questions than answers, owing in large part to Mr. Showalter’s most repeated phrases of, “I don’t know” and “I’m not a scientist.”

 Fortunately, we have heard from scientists and what they have to say about this facility and its grossly deficient proposed permit (currently under review by the Maryland Department of the Environment.) Scientists worry, rightly so, about the serious threat this operation poses to the Atlantic Sturgeon. Federally and state designated as critical habitat, the Marshyhope is the smallest known river in the United States that is home to this endangered species and is the only river in Maryland where it is known to spawn, with cobble beds that could be eroded away by the amount of wastewater AquaCon proposes dumping just upstream from their habitat. Mr. Showalter was specifically asked at the meeting if AquaCon could guarantee there would be no impacts to the Atlantic Sturgeon and his response was “no.”

 We’ve heard from countless environmentalists about this issue, too, with groups like ShoreRivers, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Friends of the Nanticoke River, Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth, and the Wicomico Environmental Trust all coming out in opposition to this facility and the pollution and runoff it will dump into our waterways.

 ShoreRivers supporters generated more than 360 letters expressing their concerns in just four days, letters that urge the Maryland Department of the Environment to do the right thing and deny the dangerous discharge permit, which would allow AquaCon to dump nitrogen and phosphorus in excess of what the state’s own model says are safe levels for the area. Without the offsets needed to reduce the loads (still unsecured), the permit application is incomplete.

We’ve also heard from advocates like Tom Horton and those who recreate on the Bay, like our Mid-Shore Fishing Club and its 121 members, who consider the proposal “ludicrous.” And Federalsburg residents seem to agree, from those in attendance at the recent meeting who made it abundantly clear that they didn’t want this fish factory in their town to the more than 100 who have signed an online petition in hopes of saving their beloved Marshyhope.

Residents at the September 19 meeting expressed repeated concerns about the withdraw of groundwater and its impact on their drinking water wells, and about the impact this will have on a town already prone to flooding. According to Mr. Showalter, the company proposes to withdraw millions of gallons of water per day from underground aquifers, yet both he and MDE have failed to address whether groundwater supplies and existing uses can accommodate this level of withdrawal, or could cause saltwater intrusion or nearby land to sink, as has happened elsewhere.  Federalsburg already floods on high tides and after heavy storms—add 2.3 million gallons of discharge daily, and the flooding will undoubtedly get worse.

It's not often that this many voices are able to reach a consensus on the best way to maintain the health of our local waterways, but on this case it’s easy to come together—indoor salmon farming of this size and scale hasn’t been done safely and successfully anywhere in the country, and we can’t be the guinea pigs in this experiment. It’s past time to listen to our voices.

We believe it is the Federalsburg Mayor & Town Council's right and duty at this point to take back control of this process by asking the state to discontinue processing the discharge permit. We call on them to make their own voices heard and to protect their town, their residents, and their waterways by stopping this process before it’s too late.

Our Eastern Shore rivers are too fragile for this type of operation. The proposal from AquaCon represents a distraction from the multi-layered effort to reduce pollution flowing to the Chesapeake Bay and to protect native species like crabs, rockfish, and the delicate population of Atlantic Sturgeon. Those of us who support healthy waterways and product fisheries have an obligation to ensure that this negligent permit does not pass. 

Tom Wilkison, President, Mid-Shore Fishing Club

Matt Pluta, Director of Riverkeeper Programs, ShoreRivers

ShoreRivers, Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth, and Chesapeake Legal Alliance Announce Settlement with Valley Proteins, LLC over Clean Water Act Violations

Local Maryland Eastern Shore nonprofit organizations ShoreRivers and Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth (DCPG), represented by their attorneys at Chesapeake Legal Alliance, announce an agreement to settle a lawsuit against Valley Proteins for pollution violations at its Linkwood, Maryland facility. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) are also parties to the agreement.

Valley Proteins, LLC operates an industrial plant in Linkwood, Maryland, that uses a chemical process to render chicken carcass parts into protein for animal feed and other products, which it then sells. The plant’s Clean Water Act permit expired in 2006, but the state has enabled the company to continue to operate in Linkwood by administratively extending it for more than 15 years.

In spring 2021, ShoreRivers, DCPG, and Chesapeake Legal Alliance along with co-plaintiff Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued a notice of intent to sue under the Clean Water Act because for years the state had failed to address violations at Valley Proteins, failed to renew the 15-year-old discharge permit, and failed to require corrective actions to modernize their wastewater treatment plant. MDE initiated an enforcement action against Valley Proteins in early 2022 after drone footage captured by ShoreRivers documented increased pollution violations and unauthorized discharges into the Transquaking River watershed.

“It took a team of nonprofits, including the Chesapeake Legal Alliance, to finally force MDE into taking a strong position to protect water quality from one of the State's worst permit violators,'' said Matt Pluta, Director of Riverkeeper Programs at ShoreRivers. “We will remain vigilant in the coming months and years to see that the terms of the consent decree are followed and that any future discharge permit includes the necessary conditions for improving local water quality.”

Acknowledging that more is still needed to fully protect the Transquaking River, DCPG President Fred Pomeroy says: “We regard this consent decree as a potential first step toward reducing the illegal discharges from Valley Proteins that have for years degraded the Transquaking River and threatened public health in the watershed. Now, we call on Maryland’s Department of the Environment to produce a strict new operating permit for the facility which will actually contribute to restoration of the river. Markedly improved water quality downstream from the VP operation will be the ultimate test of the effectiveness of this agreement.”

The consent decree is an important victory toward bringing accountability. It is the strongest enforcement action brought to date against Valley Proteins, LLC in the decade-long period for which they have violated pollution control limits.

“Our clients sought to hold Valley Proteins accountable for illegal pollution discharges and violations of its permit, and we have done just that,” said Patrick DeArmey, Attorney for Chesapeake Legal Alliance. “This enforcement action initiated and led by local nonprofits is exactly the type of community involvement that is at the heart of the Clean Water Act.”

Under the agreement, Valley Proteins will pay $540,000 in civil penalties and $160,000 for water quality monitoring and restoration. Additionally, Valley Proteins will be required to complete upgrades and conduct studies on site including: upgrading stormwater treatment; studying potential groundwater pollution and, if identified, abating it; addressing issues with existing wastewater treatment system, and studying and controlling odor and air emissions. The agreement fell short of requiring Valley Proteins to upgrade their outdated wastewater treatment plant, a condition ShoreRivers and DCPG view as necessary to prevent future violations and protect water quality.

Separate from this consent decree, MDE is expected to issue a new Clean Water Act permit to Valley Proteins this year. MDE released a draft permit for comment earlier this year which proposed an almost four-fold increase to Valley Proteins’ water pollution discharge flow, an expansion that ShoreRivers and DCPG strongly oppose given the facility's extremely poor compliance record.

***

Shore Rivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. A 501(c)(3) working to advocate for strong clean-water laws to ensure a legacy of thriving waterways and help galvanize communities to act to improve the health of our rivers, its core focus is on the Chester, Choptank, Sassafras, Miles, and Wye rivers, Eastern Bay, and the Bayside Creeks.

Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth a 501(c)3 nonprofit is organized to guarantee a public voice in issues of land and water use. The group pledges to advocate for the promotion, maintenance, and conservation of the natural resources, farmland, waterways and open spaces of Dorchester County.

Chesapeake Legal Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services, with a mission to apply the power of the law to protect and restore clean water and promote healthy, resilient ecosystems for communities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Volunteers Needed for On-the-Water Field Trips with ShoreRivers

Volunteers are needed to assist with canoe excursions for high school and elementary students on select dates this school year.

If you’ve got a passion for the environment, experience working with students, and are comfortable in a canoe, ShoreRivers needs you! Healthy, fishable, swimmable waterways will not be possible without the next generation of clean water enthusiasts, so we strive to encourage in students an appreciation for our environment and a dedication to making a difference.

ShoreRivers’ Education Department is seeking volunteers to help monitor groups of 10–25 students on field trips at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Lab in Cambridge. Volunteers are needed on select school days from 9 am–1 pm between October and May. This is a unique opportunity to support students age 8–15 from all across the Eastern Shore—some of whom may be visiting the river for the first time. During the field trip, students learn about local water quality, study Bay creatures like the Eastern Oyster and Atlantic Sturgeon, and canoe in a cove off the Choptank River.

ShoreRivers leads a robust environmental education program that serves more than 2,500 third-grade and high school biology students every year throughout our watershed communities. We provide students with a Meaningful Watershed Education Experience, a Maryland State graduation requirement. ShoreRivers leads classroom lessons, field experiences, community-focused action projects, and teacher professional development.

Volunteers must have transportation to the site and be comfortable in and around canoes. For our elementary field trips, we are especially in need of experienced canoers who are comfortable paddling in a boat with two students. Responsibilities include: assisting students getting into and out of canoes, on-the-water monitoring of student safety while paddling, alerting ShoreRivers staff of any issues or concerns, and having fun! You will not be responsible for disciplining students, leading lessons on the water, or bringing your own canoe.

Anyone interested should fill out the volunteer application form at: shorerivers.org/volunteer and email Demetrio at dfinley@shorerivers.org for more details on dates and times.

ShoreRivers Expands Algae Monitoring Program with Innovative Technology

ShoreRivers is utilizing cutting-edge technology and equipment to track and monitor algal blooms on Eastern Shore waterways, including this wireless field microscope (left) and an algal fluorometer (right). 

This summer, thanks to grant funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Cornell Douglas Foundation, ShoreRivers purchased two pieces of scientific monitoring equipment that significantly improve our ability to predict and monitor toxic algal blooms in real time, facilitating much faster sharing of results with the community. We are hoping that our ability to more quickly alert the public of potential health hazards will result in fewer illnesses in humans and fewer deaths in beloved pets.

ShoreRivers works for waterways that are swimmable and fishable. The Swimmable ShoreRivers program uses expert staff, state-of-the-art technology, and dedicated volunteer time to monitor bacteria levels, tidal water quality, and toxic algal blooms in our rivers. ShoreRivers strives to provide the community with these data so they can make informed decisions about whether or not to recreate in their waterways.

As part of this initiative, ShoreRivers monitors algal blooms in conjunction with the Maryland Departments of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Health, and local county health departments. Monitoring blooms can be a time-consuming process that involves multiple government agencies and requires transporting samples across the state. With traditional methods, results can take days or weeks to return, leaving community members in the dark about potentially unsafe—even deadly—algal blooms.

Algae occurs naturally in our rivers, but blooms are fueled by excess nitrogen and phosphorus running off into local rivers and streams. Excess nutrients come from agricultural and lawn fertilizers, leaking septic systems, non-native ornamental plantings, tree removal, and other human activities.

During the summer months, all of our waterways experience algal blooms with varying levels of toxicity. Blooms are becoming more toxic, longer lasting, and more frequent. Algal blooms can fluctuate rapidly depending on weather conditions, tidal phases, and time of day. Exposure to toxins can be fatal to pets within just 12 hours. In humans, these algal toxins can cause rashes, gastrointestinal illness, and neurological or liver damage, especially in children and other at-risk individuals. For all these reasons, the ability to predict potential blooms and monitor active blooms is critically important in order to keep people and pets safe.

Algal Monitoring Equipment and Technology

The first piece of new equipment is an algal fluorometer (commonly used by researchers and state agencies) that monitors phycocyanin and chlorophyll ratios—indicators of an imminent or active bloom. Chlorophyll is one of the pigments found in plants that allows them to absorb sunlight during photosynthesis. Phycocyanin is a pigment most commonly found in cyanobacteria species, like those present during certain types of harmful algal blooms. By monitoring their ratios, it is possible to predict when a bloom is about to occur. Results return in 10 seconds or less, which allows for real-time monitoring in the field and gives our staff the flexibility to take more samples, more often.

The second piece of equipment is a high-powered, wireless field microscope that syncs to a phone or tablet and provides a live view of algae cells. Using an app, Riverkeepers can quickly identify algae and calculate cell density to determine if harmful species are present in concerning amounts.

These new pieces of equipment have allowed our Riverkeepers to monitor potential blooms and respond to active ones much more quickly. Once a bloom has been confirmed to have high levels of toxin-producing algae species like Microcystis, Riverkeepers send water samples to the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment for toxin testing.

Additionally, Riverkeepers utilize other technology to enhance their monitoring program, including satellite imaging from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cyanobacteria Assessment Network Tool and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Phytoplankton Monitoring Network. These tools use infrared and ultraviolet lenses on satellites to pick up algal blooms around the country.

ShoreRivers Participates in Bay-Wide Research

Because of this innovative new technology, ShoreRivers was able to join a pilot program conducted by BloomOptix, a research company based in New York. Researchers from around the country are participating in this program, which has developed artificial intelligence technology that can provide algae species identification and cell counts in a matter of minutes.

ShoreRivers is also working with the Innovation Lab at Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society, which captures and uploads water quality data, including water temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and phycocyanin concentrations, every 20 minutes to its website. This publicly available data, captured via remote sensor at Budds Landing on the Cecil County side of the Upper Sassafras River, is extremely useful in monitoring for potential algal blooms.

Despite this innovative and rapidly evolving technology, community participation is still vital to ShoreRivers’ work. Anyone who observes potential algal blooms should contact their local Riverkeeper, who can identify whether or not a toxic bloom is occurring. Blooms can vary in appearance, but it is generally a good idea to avoid water contact where there is visible algae, particularly if it resembles pea soup or green paint, or if it emits an odor. Pets, livestock, children, and adults with compromised immune systems are particularly sensitive to algal blooms.

For interested community members wanting to learn more, please contact Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher at zkelleher@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers is pleased to bring significant state and federal resources into the region to support integral work for healthy rivers on behalf of our communities. Follow the progress of these projects: @shorerivers on Facebook; @shoreriversorg on Instagram; or subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter at shorerivers.org/subscribe.

ShoreRivers Seeks Swimmers and Cyclists

This fall, swimmers and cyclists have two opportunities to support ShoreRivers while enjoying the beautiful Eastern Shore: the ShoreRivers Ride for Clean Rivers at Chesapeake College on September 18, and the Maryland Swim for Life at Rolph’s Wharf on the Chester River on September 24. Visit ShoreRivers.org/events for information and to register.

Plan to pedal with ShoreRivers on Sunday, September 18, at the 18th annual Ride for Clean Rivers at Chesapeake College. Cyclists will enjoy the beautiful back roads of Talbot and Queen Anne’s counties in support of ShoreRivers’ work for clean waterways. Register at shorerivers.org/events before September 1 for a reduced registration rate.

Bike riders of all ages and levels are welcome to register for 20-mile, 35-mile, or 62-mile (metric century) routes. All routes begin and end at Chesapeake College and include tech support from Bike Doctor Kent Island, SAG support from Queen Anne's County Amateur Radio Club, as well as rest stops with food and drink from Sprout. The metric ride will kick off at 8:00 am and the 35-mile and 20-mile send-offs will follow at 9:00 am and 10:00 am respectively. Upon returning to the college campus, riders and volunteers will enjoy a boxed lunch from Sprout and beer from Ten Eyck Brewery. Participants are also encouraged to join teams and create their own fundraising pages to boost support for their ride from others.

While on campus, plan to tour the extensive wetland restoration project on the west end of campus adjacent to Route 50. ShoreRivers has designed and installed multiple pollution-reducing practices on campus with support from the Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund.

ShoreRivers extends special thanks to these sponsors and partners: PEAKE Technology Partners, KELLY Integral Solutions LLC, Sprout, Bike Doctor Kent Island, Chesapeake College, Ten Eyck Brewing Company, TriCycle & Run, and MDOT, as well as volunteers from the Talbot Skipjacks 4-H Club, and Queen Anne's County Amateur Radio Club.

Set out to swim with the District of Columbia Aquatics Club at the Maryland Swim for Life on Saturday, September 24, on the Chester River. Maryland Swim for Life is a USMS-sanctioned open water event and community fundraiser held annually at Rolph’s Wharf on the Chester River in Chestertown. Check-in will begin at 7:00 am followed by safety briefings and swim starts at 8:30 am and 9:00 am. A picnic celebration and awards ceremony will be held at noon. Register before September 21 at shorerivers.org/events for 2.5K, 5K, and 7.5K swims, plus 1.2-mile and 2.4-mile Triathlon challenge swims. DC Aquatics appreciates its lead sponsors TYR and Wawa. Proceeds from Maryland Swim for Life support four local nonprofits whose mission statements include environmental, medical, health, wellness, and fitness advocacy. ShoreRivers is honored to be a beneficiary again this year. The Chester Riverkeeper is pleased to provide on-the-water safety support as well as water quality and bacteria testing results.

If you are not a swimmer or a cyclist but wish to participate, ShoreRivers also seeks volunteers for these events. Contact Freya Farley with questions or to sign up: ffarley@shorerivers.org.

Shaw Bay Raft-Up Concert to feature Eastport Oyster Boys & The Wye River Band

Celebrate the end of summer with ShoreRivers and the Miles-Wye Riverkeeper at the Shaw Bay Raft-Up Concert from 3-6 pm on Saturday, Sept. 10. Created decades ago to raise awareness for local clean water efforts, the on-the-water party will feature both the Eastport Oyster Boys and last year’s headliner, The Wye River Band. New this year, sign up for text updates about the concert or find the Miles-Wye Riverkeeper on Facebook. The concert is presented with support from sponsors Wye River Marine, Leigh Family Dentistry, and 103.1 WRNR.

This annual benefit concert is a must for mariners of all kinds. Bring your dinghy, paddle board, kayak, sailboat, or power boat, and join the floating raft-up to enjoy live music in Shaw Bay, near the mouth of the Wye River. Click here for a map of nearby locations from which to launch your vessel.

The concert is free, but donations are welcome, with all proceeds helping to promote the clean water initiatives of ShoreRivers on the Miles and Wye Rivers and Eastern Bay. Attendees are asked to use the organization’s pumpout boat services while in Shaw Bay, and throughout boating season, to help with these efforts.

Since May 2016, the ShoreRivers pumpout boat has removed more than 90,000 gallons of waste from boaters on the Miles and Wye Rivers. The pumpout boat is funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and operates in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. The vessel operates Friday–Sunday and on holidays from mid-May through mid-November. Pumpouts may be scheduled on VHF Channel 9 or by contacting Captain Jim at 410.829.4352 or POBcaptainjim@gmail.com.

ShoreRivers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. Our local waterways are polluted by excess nutrients and sediment that run off of urban, suburban, agricultural, and commercial land. ShoreRivers is dedicated to implementing real solutions through programs and projects to improve the health of these waterways.

Event questions may be directed to Freya Farley at ffarley@shorerivers.org. 

Cultivating Conservation in Youth through Professional Internships

Summer interns Adam Brown and Maegan White processing Horned Pondweed seeds in the turbulator after harvesting them the previous week.
Photo by Amy Natimatsu

One of the best strategies to protect and restore our environment is to instill a conservation ethic in the next generation. ShoreRivers is committed to providing quality, professional internships for college-aged students in order to cultivate an informed and passionate generation of rising professionals. Through a paid, 10-week summer program, ShoreRivers interns gain experience and knowledge in multiple aspects of environmental conservation and real-world skills applicable to any career field. Internships are supported by the ShoreRivers Elizabeth Brown Memorial Fund and through a partnership with Washington College. Click here for descriptions and to apply.

This summer, ShoreRivers hosted five college interns who participated in a variety of projects including mapping underwater grasses, planting trees in community spaces, monitoring water quality on our rivers, taking soil and water samples in farm fields, removing invasive species, and more. They also gained essential skills applicable to any career field: experience with the inner workings of a nonprofit organization; working for a supervisor with deadlines; working as part of a larger team; presenting professionally in front of an audience; problem-solving; leveraging technology; and working with volunteers and board members.

Summer interns Riley Kuehn, Kyle McKim and Connor Maycott processing Horned Pondweed seeds in the turbulator after harvesting them the previous week. Photo by Amy Narimatsu

Kyle McKim and Adam Brown focused on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration: monitoring beds, harvesting seeds, and planting new beds to restore habitat. They developed a GIS platform to host SAV data: the “SAV Restoration Living Atlas” will compile volunteers’ data on grass bed locations and species, streamline data sharing with Bay-wide restoration and tracking efforts, and improve the siting of new locations for restoration. Kyle is a 2022 graduate of Washington College with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a minor in Chesapeake Regional Studies. Adam is a rising senior at Washington College with a major in Environmental Science and a minor in Philosophy.

Maegan White and Riley Kuehn assisted the Riverkeepers in water quality monitoring and community outreach. They updated the SwimTester bacteria monitoring program to make information more accessible and easy to find online. Maegan is a rising senior at Washington College majoring in Environmental Science and Political Science. Riley is a rising senior at Dickinson College majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Spanish.

Connor Maycott spent the summer assisting the agricultural and restoration department by surveying and building wetlands, stream restorations, and meadows. Connor is a rising fifth year senior at North Carolina State University studying Ecological Engineering and Restoration. His technical engineering expertise increased ShoreRivers’ capacity to put restoration projects in the ground.

The Elizabeth Brown Memorial Fund was created in memory of her dedication to clean water, her enthusiasm for engaging others with their rivers, and her joyful service as an environmental steward. Interested students from any field of study are encouraged to apply annually in February and notification of selection will be in March. Each intern is awarded a competitive stipend of $5,000.