Sassafras River Association

Sassafras River Association Reports on the Sassafras Report Card April 26

April 19, 2017 by Sassafras River Association

The Sassafras River Association will host its annual Sassafras River Report Card release on Wednesday, April 26 in the Banquet Hall of the Cecilton Volunteer Fire Company. This family-friendly community event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.

The Sassafras Riverkeeper will briefly report on the current health of the river based on water monitoring data collected throughout the watershed in the previous calendar year.

The audience will then embark upon a stunning photographic journey through osprey nesting season with the award-winning authors/photographers of Inside an Osprey’s Nest, Teena Ruark Gorrow and Craig A. Koppie.

Come hear the true story of Audrey and Tom, a pair of newly mated ospreys featured on the Chesapeake Conservancy’s osprey nest cam. Through an unlikely twist of events, biologists swap the ospreys’ unviable eggs with hatchlings from an ill-fated nest on Poplar Island. Witness the heartwarming account as the adult raptors become foster parents and care for the young, including a nest interloper.

Authors Gorrow and Koppie will have copies of their books, wildlife art, note cards, and puppets available for purchase and signing. A limited number of first editions of their award-winning book, Inside a Bald Eagle’s Nest, will also be available.

The event is generously sponsored by Gunther McClary Real Estate and SRA members and donors. No registration is required. Visit www.sassafrasriver.org for more information.

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Sassafras River Association Announces New Board Members

January 31, 2017 by Sassafras River Association

The Sassafras River Association recently announced new additions to its Board of Directors. “We are pleased to welcome Dan Hayes and Frank DeGennaro to the SRA Board of Directors. These talented individuals bring a wealth of knowledge that perfectly complements our organization’s strategic vision.” states incoming Board President Susan Warriner.

Dan Hayes touts 30 years of experience in the investment, annuity, life and retirement industries, with a background that also includes marketing and management consulting. Most recently, Dan headed Funds Management for investments at Lincoln Financial Group. Prior to Lincoln, Dan served as Senior Vice President for Fidelity Investments and managed its relationships and business with insurance companies. Additional experience includes serving as Vice President at Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company responsible for managing the overall strategic product and marketing direction for its insurance and financial services businesses.

“Dan Hayes has been an invaluable pro-bono consultant to SRA in recent years, and facilitated the 2016 Board Retreat and 5-Year Strategic Plan in early 2016. We feel quite fortunate that he has formally joined the SRA Board, along with his wife, Cindy Hayes, who takes over as SRA Vice President this year,” said President Warriner.

The Hayes’ live on the Sassafras River and frequently entertain 3 children and 4 grandchildren in its waters fishing, boating, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Hayes said that “the Sassafras is a very special place for our family and we’re excited to be a part of helping ensure its healthy future.”

Frank DeGennaro is Vice President of the Specialty Crops business at Perdue Agribusiness. Prior to joining Perdue, Frank spent more than 32 years at DuPont where his roles spanned research, business development, strategy, operations, sales, global product development, technology management and business leadership. Born in Woodbridge, Connecticut, Frank grew up working on the family farm. He holds a B.S. in Plant Protection, an M.S. in Horticulture from Purdue University,and an M.S. in Management of Technology from Walden University. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the St. Joseph’s University, Haub School of Business.

DeGennaro was a panelist at the “Can Food Production and a Clean Chesapeake Bay Coexist?” public forum last fall presented by the Sassafras and Chester River Associations and Washington College’s Center for Environment and Society. In a recent op-ed piece in the Delmarva Farmer, Perdue Farms Vice President for Sustainability, Steve Levitsky, thanked the organizations for creating a forum where diverse panelists, varied stakeholders and broad audiences can talk about working together to address all the sources of run-off into the Bay. Levitsky opined that “Progress will come from those who want to move toward a productive common ground.”

“The Sassafras River Association couldn’t agree more!” exclaims Executive Director Kim Righi, who enthusiastically welcomed the new members. “These two gentlemen bring an invaluable knowledge-base and keen insight to SRA that will help strengthen the organization financially as well as strategically within the agriculture community, an integral part of our mission. Working with farmers is important to this organization; in fact, our most effective restoration projects are located on farmland in Cecil and Kent counties.”

The Sassafras RIVERKEEPER®, Emmett Duke added “We extend congratulations and a hearty thank you to these new Board members and incoming Officers: Susan Warriner, President; Cindy Hayes, Vice President; John Burke, Treasurer; Jeff Russell, Secretary; and Ted Carski, Officer at Large. Continuing Board members include John Carroll, Trey Hill, Pat Kern, Jere Lucey, Kelly Reed, Janet Ruhl (Past Secretary), Ken Shumaker (Past President), and Pat Starkey.”Duke went on to say, “With this talented team, the Sassafras River Association is poised to continue doing big things for water quality on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.”

The Sassafras River Association is dedicated to promoting good water quality, a balance among recreation, wildlife, and economic activity, and an educated community that takes action to restore and maintain the health of the watershed. www.sassafrasriver.org

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Can Food Production and a Clean Chesapeake Bay Coexist?

November 3, 2016 by Sassafras River Association

The conversation about how to balance food production and clean water in the Chesapeake Bay continues this fall at Washington College. A discussion between farmers, environmentalists, and the public will address a role that each and every one of us plays in this delicate balance: the consumer. The event is free and open to the public, followed by a reception with desserts, ice cream donated by Kilby Cream, and a cash bar.

Join us at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Nov. 17 for a panel discussion driven by questions from the audience. This is a unique opportunity for the public to engage with Delmarva farmers, industry ag representatives, environmental advocates, and scientists. The panel will be moderated Kim Coble, Vice President for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

The panelists represent a who’s who in their respective fields and will provide a wide range of perspectives for the topic at hand: Greg Bowen is a land planner and local food systems specialist from Land Stewardship Solutions; Frank DeGennaro is Vice President of Specialty Crops at Perdue AgriBusiness; Jay Ford is the Virginia Eastern SHOREKEEPER® and a permaculture farmer in Virginia; Trey Hill is a Kent County, Maryland farmer producing corn, wheat, and soybeans for the Mid-Atlantic region; Allison Howard is an organic grain and vegetable farmer in Maryland’s Queen Anne’s County; and Dr. Ray Weil is a soil scientist with the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The discussion promises to be lively and informative.

The event is co-hosted by the Sassafras River Association and the Chester River Association in coordination with the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College. The College is hosting the event and a light reception afterward in Decker Theater in the Gibson Center for the Arts.

Panelists
Greg Bowen – President, Land Stewardship Solutions, LLC. Prince Frederick, MD
Frank DeGennaro – Vice President, Specialty Crops, Perdue AgriBusiness. Salisbury, MD
Jay Ford –Virginia Eastern SHOREKEEPER®; Shine and Rise Farm. Eastville, VA
Trey Hill – Harborview Farms. Rock Hall, MD
Allison Howard – Homestead Farms. Millington, MD
Dr. Ray Weil –University of MD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. College Park, MD

Moderator
Kim Coble – Vice President, Environmental Protection and Restoration, Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Annapolis, MD

Details
November 17, 2016
6:00 pm Doors open
6:30-8:30 pm Panel discussion
8:30-9:30 pm Reception with desserts, Kilby Cream ice cream, and cash bar
Decker Theater, Gibson Center for the Arts, Washington College
300 Washington Ave.
Chestertown, MD
Free and open to the public

The Chester River Association works to protect and restore the Chester River for our community and future generations through science-based advocacy, restoration, and outreach. www.ChesterRiverAssociation.org

The Washington College Center for Environment & Society’s vision is a Chesapeake Bay and watershed that is healthy and thriving; one in which natural systems and human communities are in balance. Interdisciplinary academic programs promote the integration of environmental issues, social values, and good old river mud. www.washcoll.edu/centers/ces

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History of the Sassafras with Local Historian Mike Dixon

October 20, 2016 by Sassafras River Association

The Sassafras River Association invites you to participate in a program that examines the history of the scenic tributary that rises in the marshy areas along the Delaware line and flows some 20 miles to the Chesapeake Bay. Historian Mike Dixon will share narratives from the colonial era to the 20th century, while facilitating a dialogue with area residents for an engaging community conversation.

Mike Dixon

The Sassafras watershed’s past is captivating and encompasses the sweep of time. This expansive narrative begins with Native-Americans and the arrival of Europeans who established fine plantations on its shores, many of which still overlook the rich fields being farmed today as part of Kent and Cecil Counties’ thriving, and important, agricultural economy. The tranquility of the river was interrupted during the War of 1812, British guns firing, but Kitty Knight stood her ground. The colonial era port of entry grew, becoming important stops for vessels hauling freight and transporting travelers in the 19th century. In time, sprawling summer resorts brought visitors by steamboat and later by automobile, and in the 20th century the Adams Floating Theatre arrived, bringing lively plays to Fredericktown and Georgetown. Of course, the days of the steamboat gave way to the 20th century and the automobile age, which brought new dynamics that shaped the region. We will explore these accounts and more.

This type of colloquy creates greater understanding of our ties to the land and water and each other as we consider the intersection of the past with the present and the future, with stakeholders contributing accounts that have been handed down over the generations in families and communities.

It is sure to be an informative session, as participants will be encouraged to recount first and second hand stories about the river and the historical experience in the watershed that serves as the boundary between Kent and Cecil counties, providing unique personal and local context. There are stories you will want to hear as Dixon shares accounts from the European era to modern times, while moderating an evening of shared conversation. Of course, you don’t have to have a story to share. You may simply want to listen to some of the lesser-known stories and traditions in the watershed.

The Sassafras River Association is an on-going community effort to protect and restore water quality in the river’s tidal basin and tributaries. This event is a celebration of the people who live, work, and play in the watershed, and a chance to deepen our sense of community and learn from each other as we strive to make our lives more compatible with nature’s design yet remain economically viable.

Dixon, a historian, specializes in community studies and social history. He teaches as an adjunct professor of history at a number of area universities and colleges and has appeared on the Today Show, Maryland Public Television and TV news programs as well as in National Geographic, Southern Living, and Chesapeake Life. His published works have appeared in Chesapeake Life, Delmarva Quarterly, Maryland Life, and a number of other magazines, newspapers, and historical society journals.

History of the Sassafras will be held at The Granary Restaurant on November 3rd, starting at 7 pm. Coffee and dessert will be available. Free and open to the public, the event is a fundraiser for the Sassafras River Association and donations are kindly suggested at the door or online at www.sassafrasriver.org/donatenow/.

For guests who would like to dine beforehand, The Granary has generously offered to donate 20% of dinner sales – a coupon is required and reservations are strongly suggested. Contact the Sassafras River Association for GIVE 20 coupons at 410-275-1400 or [email protected].

The Granary Restaurant https://granary.biz is located at 100 George Street, Georgetown, MD, along the beautiful Sassafras River.

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Can Food Production and a Clean Chesapeake Bay Coexist?

February 18, 2016 by Sassafras River Association

A panel discussion between farmers, environmentalists, and the public
6:30 pm | February 25 | @ Washington College

We all want clean water and vibrant rivers. We all need food to survive, but farming practices are often blamed for the deterioration of the Chesapeake Bay. Can we have both?

Join us at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Feb. 25 for a panel discussion by farmers, environmentalists, and local residents about challenges and successes in the effort to achieve a healthier Chesapeake Bay while continuing to produce food. The event is free and open to the public. The discussion will be driven by questions from the audience.

The agricultural perspective will be represented by Sean Jones, a dairy farmer in Massey, Md., Trey Hill, a row crop farmer in Rock Hall, Md., and Mike Twining, a representative with Willard Agri-Service. The environmental perspective will be provided by Kim Coble, a Vice President of Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Jeff Horstman, Miles-Wye Riverkeeper in Easton, Md. Mark Nardi, a geographer with the US Geological Survey, will explain the findings of recent scientific studies of nutrient movement through our groundwater. The lively discussion, driven by audience questions, will be moderated by former US Rep. Wayne Gilchrest.

This event is co-hosted by the Sassafras River Association and the Chester River Association in coordination with the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College. The College is hosting the event and a light reception afterward in Decker Theater in the Gibson Center for the Arts.

Panelists
Kim Coble – VP Environmental Protection and Restoration, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Annapolis, Md.
Trey Hill – Harborview Farms, Rock Hall, Md.
Jeff Horstman – Miles-Wye RIVERKEEPER®, Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy, Easton, Md.
Sean Jones – Jones Family Farm, Massey, Md.
Mark Nardi – Geographer, US Geological Survey, Dover, Del.
Mike Twining – VP Sales and Marketing, Willard Agri-Service, Dover, Del.

Moderator
Hon. Wayne Gilchrest – Education Programs Director, Sassafras Environmental Education Center

Details
February 25, 2016
6:30-8:30 pm Panel discussion
8:30-9:30 pm Reception
Decker Theater, Gibson Center for the Arts, Washington College
300 Washington Ave.
Chestertown, MD
Free and open to the public

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Can Food Production and a Clean Chesapeake Bay Coexist?

January 18, 2016 by Sassafras River Association

We all want clean water and vibrant rivers. We all need food to survive, but farming practices are often blamed for the deterioration of the Chesapeake Bay. Can we have both?

Moderator
Hon. Wayne Gilchrest – Education Programs Director, Sassafras Environmental Education Center

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

SRA to Host Panel Discussion: Innovative Farming Practices in the Watershed

August 18, 2014 by Sassafras River Association

Join SRA on Thursday, August 21st at 6:30 PM at Shrewsbury Parish Hall to learn what local farmers are doing to help the environment and the Sassafras River.

Panelists include Trey Hill of Harborview Farms, Olin Davis of Rich Levels Grain, Inc., and Sean Jones of the Jones Family Farm. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Raymond Forney, Global Stewardship Manager for DuPont Crop Protection.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the SRA office at (410) 275-1400 or visit our website www.sassafrasriver.org

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Sassafras River Association Celebrates 10 Years

August 12, 2014 by Sassafras River Association

The Sassafras River Association is pleased to announce its 10th anniversary this year.

Since 2004, SRA has been working towards a clean, healthy Sassafras River that is swimmable, fishable, and boatable. In the past 10 years, the board, staff, and volunteers who support SRA have achieved many victories, including defeating the Rubble Dump in Kent County, developing a water-quality monitoring program that tests over 20 sites in the watershed, and growing from a volunteer–run organization to a staff of four!

Since the completion of the EPA-approved Sassafras Watershed Action Plan in 2009, SRA has focused its efforts on restoration projects which target highly polluted areas, outreach to homeowners, farmers and boaters, and advocacy on behalf of the river.

This year, SRA will break ground on a treatment wetland, a stream restoration project, and a major ravine restoration project which will address stormwater runoff from the HWY 301 weigh station in the headwaters of the Sassafras. These projects will significantly reduce nutrient and sediment runoff into the Sassafras.

To celebrate this huge milestone, Sassafras River Association is having a Birthday Bash on the Sassafras on September 6th! The event will honor SRA’s founding board members, without whom none of this could have been accomplished. Please join us at the beautiful Duck Hollow overlooking the Sassafras River for a night of celebration!

The evening will feature live music provided by Bon Fuego, Chesapeake Bay themed “Tapas” catered by Occasions, a Raw Bar, local wine and beer tastings served at our Sassafras Sampling Station, and a Live Auction. Tickets for the event are $80 per person and can be purchased on the SRA website (www.sassafrasriver.org), by phone (410-275-1400), by mail (PO Box 333, Georgetown, MD 21930), or at the office during regular office hours.

“We are so excited to honor our founding board members and celebrate all the hard work that has been done in the past 10 years to preserve the Sassafras as a river we will be proud to pass on to next generation.”- Sophie Foscue, River Outreach Coordinator

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Sassafras River Association “State of the River” Membership Meeting April 24th

April 17, 2014 by Sassafras River Association

The Sassafras River Association is holding their annual “State of the River” Membership Meeting on April 24th at 7 PM at The Granary Restaurant.

SRA will unveil the 2014 Sassafras River Report Card and discuss the results of this past year’s tidal and non-tidal water quality monitoring. The meeting will also feature guest speaker Jeff Cornwell of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point Lab, Cambridge, MD, who will give a presentation entitled “Are Sassafras River and Conowingo Dam sediments important sources of nitrogen and phosphorus?”

Members and the general public are invited to attend, and to purchase dinner at The Granary beforehand.

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SRA & Elementary Schools Complete Budds Landing Ravine Restoration Project

April 13, 2014 by Sassafras River Association

On Tuesday, April 7th, 4th graders from Cecilton Elementary and 4th and 5th graders from Galena Elementary helped the Sassafras River Association plant 498 trees and shrubs to complete the Budds Landing Ravine Restoration Project in Cecil County.

In preparation for the event, SRA Ag Outreach Coordinator Josh Thompson and River Outreach Coordinator Sophie Foscue visited the schools to talk with the students about the project and the importance of native plants. The day of the planting, the students worked for about 2 ½ hours digging holes and planting the trees, as well as touring the project and learning how it will work to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in the Sassafras River. The students worked in pairs to plant the trees, and each pair got to plant between 8-10 trees.

Sassafras River Association has collaborated with both schools on projects before-a wetland at Galena and a rain garden at Cecilton.

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