The votes are all in, and more than 3,500 readers of What’s Up Eastern Shore magazine have named the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center (PWEC) the Eastern Shore’s Best Local Nonprofit.
“We’re just delighted to be so honored,” says Kelley Cox, PWEC’s founder and executive director. “It’s very gratifying that so many people would vote for a small – but growing – grassroots organization like PWEC. We didn’t expect this, so it’s been a most pleasant surprise!”
Although nonprofit organizations compete with one another for a finite supply of charitable dollars, even other nonprofit leaders praise the Environmental Center’s work. Rob Etgen, Executive Director of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, has expressed his “enthusiastic support” for the Oyster House Project, PWEC’s current initiative to build a new campus on a 2.26-acre parcel at the foot of the Knapp’s Narrows Bridge. The Oyster House Project “closes the loop between ecology, economy and culture,” he wrote. “It will bring together watermen, conservationists and community members around a shared vision for the future where each is welcome and important.”
The Phillips Wharf Environmental Center is currently in the midst of a capital campaign to raise $1.5 million to purchase the property from the Harrison family and establish an environmental education center, a conservation planting laboratory, a fresh seafood market and an aquaculture training program.
One of the major supporters of that campaign is the Grayce B. Kerr Fund, which has donated $150,000. “We’re involved because it is a community-based project,” said John Valliant, the Kerr Fund’s executive director, “and we think our involvement and our support can help Phillips Wharf broaden its base of support within the community.” In addition, “It speaks, not only to the environmental side, but also to the cultural side. It’s about both Tilghman’s treasured heritage and its sustainable future.”
Phillips Wharf has attracted attention far beyond the Mid-Shore. Cox recently received a letter from the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI), which administers the International Visitors Leadership Program in Maryland on behalf of the U.S. State Department. The Visitors Leadership Program wants to bring a delegation of 22 environmentalists, government officials, academics and environmental journalists from 20 different countries to PWEC in July.
The purpose of their visit is “to gain insight into land-use and water management issues,” according to Janine Branch of WTCI. “The Department of State would like to introduce the delegation to Phillips Wharf Environmental Center to gain insight into its conservation and biodiversity efforts focused on the Chesapeake Bay,” said Branch. “The visitors are also interested in learning about PWEC’s community outreach efforts, including the “Fishmobile.” PWEC converted a bookmobile into a traveling exhibit to take their show on the road so people everywhere have a chance to observe, learn about, and touch various species of Chesapeake Bay marine life.
To learn more about the Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, visit www.pwec.org; you also may join as a sponsoring member or contribute to the oyster house capital campaign. Direct questions to [email protected].
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