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November 27, 2020

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

Ecosystem Eco Notes

Be Inspired by ShoreRivers Wild & Scenic Film Festival

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ShoreRivers will host the 11th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Friday, November 20, starting at 7 PM. Things will look a bit different this year, with hundreds of passionate environmental advocates gathering virtually to enjoy a carefully curated slate of international, award-winning films through an online platform. General admission tickets are FREE this year, but additional paid ticket levels include exciting raffle chances. If you are unable to attend the live event, the films will be available to all registrants On Demand from November 21-25, so register now at shorerivers.org/events.

A Living River is a feature film that follows the Hudson Riverkeeper and other scientists dedicated to protecting the biologically diverse Hudson River.

ShoreRivers joins over 250 organizations across the country to showcase a suite of captivating films that inform and inspire a deep connection to the environment. The diverse film lineup is rooted in both environmental activism and an enduring love of nature. All across the world, fantastic stories of conservation and hope go largely unnoticed, and events like this capture these unique stories and spread them far and wide. Listen to them, remember them, and leave with a renewed hope and sense of wonder.

Especially exciting this year is the addition of exclusive interviews from some of the filmmakers themselves. Gain an inside look into the minds of the filmmakers, what they learned, and what motivated and inspired them to pursue these fascinating projects. We are also offering three ticket levels that include a raffle entry. Cool prizes include ShoreRivers swag, beautiful oyster necklaces from A Happy Place in downtown Easton, and special gear from the Wild & Scenic National Sponsors Klean Kanteen and Peak Design. Prizes are valued at over $400.

This year’s incredible new offerings include A Living River, a feature film that follows the Hudson Riverkeeper and other scientists dedicated to protecting the biologically diverse Hudson River. Despite its polluted reputation, the Hudson River is teeming with life. Environmental organizations use lessons learned from the river’s past as a bustling commercial fishery to its present as an ecosystem in recovery as a pathway to protect its future.

Also showing will be Sounds of Survival, a beautiful film about the mystery, excitement, and adventure deep in the Honduran rainforests. Here is a delightful portrait of the process of scientific discovery and an inspiring example of the power of sound as a conservation tool.

This event is made possible by the leadership generosity of event sponsors: Truist Bank, Ecoprint, Gunther McClary Real Estate, Gillespie Precast, KELLY Integral Solutions LLC, Wye Gardens LLC, ThinkMakeBuild, and other community sponsors.

The Guardian Elephant Warriors tells the story of the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, the first ever community-owned and run elephant sanctuary in Africa.

Proceeds from the evening benefit the important advocacy, education, and restoration initiatives of ShoreRivers that result in pollution reduction year after year. Throughout the year, ShoreRivers’ remarkable Riverkeepers speak for the rivers at local, state, and regional levels to ensure representatives are informed with the latest science, trends, and recommendations. Outstanding education programs prepare2,600 9th graders in four counties and 2,100 elementary school students in two counties to become the next generation of environmental stewards. And the organization has installed restoration works on the large and small scales through thousand-acre farm projects as well as individual River-Friendly Yard upgrades.

Although this is a different experience from years past, ShoreRivers hopes you will join this thrilling cinematic journey as the organization’s mission for clean water remains steadfast. This will be an evening full of laughter and excitement, leaving viewers with the desire to make a positive difference for our beautiful rivers. The last few months have been difficult, and ShoreRivers is excited to have the chance to once more connect with communities.

For more information, contact Connor Liu at cliu@shorerivers.org. Visit shorerivers.org/events to register or become a sponsor.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

ShoreRivers Donates River-Friendly Yard to First Kent Attainable Home

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Kent Attainable Housing (KAH), the recently-formed non-profit organization, is pleased to announce receipt of a generous donation from ShoreRivers of a river-friendly yard for the Garnet House, its first home located across from Garnet Elementary School on College Avenue in Chestertown. In keeping with the organization’s mission to assist landowners, towns, and communities in funding and developing innovative pollution-reduction projects, ShoreRivers will provide the concept and the native plants, specifically tailored to the location. Volunteers will do the planting to create a low-maintenance yard that will serve as a demonstration of good land and water stewardship.

In a statement Darran Tilghman, ShoreRivers Director of Community Engagement, said, “ShoreRivers is so excited to partner with Kent Attainable Housing on its first home, and to collaborate with a family to become good stewards of our waterways. The river-friendly yard we are co-designing will mimic the natural environment to benefit water quality, native species, and our local ecosystem. In a time when it is easy to feel despondent about our environmental future, this is a hopeful truth: stitching together small habitats into conservation corridors may make the essential difference we need for all species, including our own, to thrive. Each of us can make positive change in our own backyard while enjoying beautiful, resilient native species.”

Photo: ShoreRivers staff Tim Trumbauer and Darran Tilghman (pre-COVID-19) explore the property of the first KAH home site with VP of Construction Ed Minch to create a river-friendly yard that ShoreRivers is donating to the Garnet House.

River-friendly yards feature colorful and low-maintenance native plants, create bird and pollinator habitat, improve soggy lawns and basements, and help to restore water quality in Eastern Shore waterways. ShoreRivers 24-page booklet ”River Friendly Yards” contains tips, strategies, recommended native  plants, and illustrations and  can be found at https://www.shorerivers.org/river-friendly-yards.

“We are very grateful to ShoreRivers for this wonderful contribution. Not only will it create a very attractive streetfront, but it will serve as a model for other homeowners who put a priority on conservation,” said Lani Seikaly, President of the KAH Board of Directors.

KAH is creating home ownership opportunities for local, low-families in need of safe, decent, and affordable housing. To date, more than twenty-four applicants have turned to Kent Attainable Housing, Inc. in search of affordable housing. Their first home is in production at the Beracah plant and scheduled to arrive on October 26 where volunteers will complete the home and landscape the grounds. KAH has secured a second piece of property to begin construction for another family.

More information about ShoreRivers can be found on their website at https://www.shorerivers.org.  You can view Kent Attainable Housing’s website at http://kentattainablehousing.org.

ShoreRivers Summarizes Summer Swimmability of Local Rivers

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The toxic algal bloom on the Sassafras River this summer lasted three months and was the largest, longest-lasting, and most toxic bloom recorded on the river.

“Is it safe to swim in the river?” is one of the most common questions ShoreRivers hears from community members. Fecal bacteria and toxic algae in waterways pose threats to both water quality and public health. People who come in contact with bacteria- or toxin-laden water can contract eye, ear, and respiratory diseases, skin rashes, gastrointestinal issues, or brain or liver damage. To assess the health of our rivers and potential risks to human health, ShoreRivers regularly monitors bacteria pollution at 28 sites throughout the mid and upper Eastern Shore and works closely with government agencies to track toxic algal blooms.

The Swimmable ShoreRivers program tests all the rivers in the ShoreRivers region for bacteria at popular swimming locations, marinas, yacht clubs, and towns. ShoreRivers staff and volunteers conduct tests on a weekly or bi-weekly basis from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The program follows EPA’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. You can view the results from the sites at theswimguide.org and get updates during swim season by following #SwimmableShoreRivers on social media.

Additionally, the Swimmable ShoreRivers program works with government health agencies at the local and state levels to monitor toxic algal blooms and inform the public of serious potential health risks to humans and pets. Algal blooms occur naturally, but increased levels of nutrient pollution in our waterways from fertilizers, septic systems, and wastewater plants fuel larger, more toxic, and longer-lasting blooms.

In the ShoreRivers region, toxic blooms occur most frequently on the Sassafras River due to its lower salinity levels. This summer ShoreRivers dealt with a toxic algal bloom on the Sassafras that lasted for almost three months. This was the largest, longest lasting, and most toxic bloom ever recorded on the river, causing the Maryland Department of the Environment to issue a water contact advisory for the whole river.

The results from ShoreRivers’ monitoring in 2020 show that bacteria and algal conditions vary based on location, weather, and other factors, making systematic, scientific analysis vital. The majority of the bacteria monitoring sites passed more than 60% of the time. However, a few sites failed more than 40% of the time; meaning that in the majority of times sampled, the bacteria levels in the water exceeded EPA’s threshold for safe water contact. Specifically, these sites are located at Hambrooks Bay Beach, Crouse Park, Denton, Broad Cove Claiborne, Morgan Creek Landing, and Duck Neck.

“Bacteria pollution most commonly comes from leaking sewer lines and septic systems, stormwater runoff, domestic and wildlife droppings, and land application of manure and sewage,” says ShoreRivers Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta. “Our results show that bacteria levels increase after rainfall, so after a wet summer like the one we just had, we expected bacteria levels to be high at many sites.”

Now that the program has baseline data showing which sites frequently have elevated levels of bacteria, ShoreRivers will focus on the next most frequent question from the public: “Where does bacteria pollution come from?” ShoreRivers is currently exploring partnerships and innovative technologies to help identify specific sources of bacteria pollution at specific testing locations.

“Once we know where the bacteria is coming from—whether it’s leaking sewer lines, failing septic systems, over-application of fertilizer, or people not picking up after their pets—we can start implementing real solutions,” Pluta says. “Monitoring techniques such as DNA sampling and bacteria source tracking are improving and becoming more reliable. It’s another tool in our Riverkeeper toolbelt to help improve water quality conditions so Eastern Shore waterways are always safe and swimmable.”

For more information, visit shoreriver.org/swim or email mpluta@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

ShoreRivers Seeks Education Programs Manager

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ShoreRivers seeks a full-time Education Programs Manager to assist in the development, coordination, and delivery of environmental education programming to public and private schools as well as education events with community partners. The ideal candidate will be an energetic, creative, and outgoing individual who is enthusiastic about environmental education and knowledgeable about Maryland public school education requirements.

The Education Programs Manager reports to the Director of Education. The Education Department creates and delivers programming that directly supports the organization’s mission to restore and protect Eastern Shore waterways by supporting scientific school curriculum, providing curriculum that meets Maryland graduation requirements, leading teacher professional development in watershed education and issue investigations, and cultivating students as future river stewards.

This is a full-time, 40-hour per week position starting as soon as an applicant is selected, but ideally by or before December 1. The applicant must be flexible to work within school day hours and occasionally evenings or weekends. The applicant must be willing to live in the communities we serve, travel frequently throughout the Eastern Shore for school visits and field trips, and travel between regional offices in Chestertown, Easton, and Galena.

To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and two professional references to Suzanne Sullivan, Director of Education, at ssullivan@shorerivers.org.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION

ShoreRivers Awarded Maryland Tax Credits for Education

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ShoreRivers educator Rebecca Murphy (left), teachers and students investigate critters pulled from a seine net on the Choptank River.

ShoreRivers supporters are now able to donate to the organization’s education program and receive state tax credits in addition to their typical deduction. ShoreRivers has been awarded Community Investment Tax Credits (CITC) through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to incentivize donations that support environmental education programs in Eastern Shore public schools.

ShoreRivers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that restores and protects Eastern Shore waterways through science-based restoration, education, and advocacy. With regional offices in Galena, Chestertown, and Easton, the ShoreRivers education department has partnered with public schools for over seven years to provide grant-funded science and environmental programs that support students and schools in meeting graduation requirements, cultivate the next generation of river stewards, and introduce students to environmental career opportunities.

ShoreRivers’ education programs include elementary and high school environmental and science curriculum, cost-free field experiences, and funds that support student-driven projects that reduce pollution and increase environmental awareness at their schools.

ShoreRivers Director of Education Suzanne Sullivan explains why the CITC program is so important, especially this year. “Our schools are facing immense challenges in facilitating at-home, remote learning. ShoreRivers is creating solutions to those challenges while supporting annual science and environmental learning. The CITC program comes at a critical time to allow ShoreRivers to focus on the programs, teachers, and students when they need it most.”

Since 1997, the CITC program has awarded Maryland tax credits through a competitive application process. The program provides benefits that include allowing nonprofits to enhance revenue, offer creative tax relief for business and individual donors, target impacts in communities, and increase visibility and support for nonprofit programs. The tremendous impact of the CITC program speaks for itself with over $3.1 million donated to various Maryland nonprofits in 2018 alone.

In order to qualify, gifts must be a minimum of $500 and the individual or business donor must file taxes in the state of Maryland. To make a donation today, visit ShoreRivers.org/donate and indicate “Education Tax Credits” in the comments box under gift preferences. Tax credits are limited and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. If you’d like to learn more about the program, contact Rebekah Hock at rhock@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

ShoreRivers Hosts Chesapeake Bay Commission Meeting on Agriculture

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In early September, ShoreRivers virtually hosted the Chesapeake Bay Commission’s quarterly meeting, which explored successes and challenges to meeting agricultural pollution reduction goals as outlined in the federally mandated Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The 21-member commission, comprised of state legislators from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia as well as natural resource cabinet secretaries, acts as a catalyst for the coordination and leadership of state legislative and policy action to restore the Bay watershed.

As we near TMDL’s 2025 deadline,most jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are relying heavily on the agricultural sector to achieve the pollution reductions needed. Other sectors include urban stormwater, wastewater treatment plants, and septic systems. The commission heard from local experts about successful practices, the policies that support them and suggestions for policy changes in order to complete the final push.

In the state of Maryland, the Eastern Shore’s agriculture sector will produce approximately a third of the total nitrogen reductions required of the state;17% will come from the Western Shore’s agricultural sector; and the remaining half will come from the urban, septic, and wastewater sectors across the state.

The agriculture sector on the Eastern Shore will account for a third of the total nitrogen reductions required of the state.

This presents an opportunity for the Eastern Shore to benefit from substantial conservation funding, increased technical expertise, and innovative ideas and technologies to reduce pollution in order to meet the 2025 deadline. State and federal funding for conservation projects including wetland and stream restorations, drainage practices, and floodplain reconnections boost the local economy by investing in local businesses and farms, contractors, engineers, construction workers, nurseries, and horticulturalists.

The meeting’s first panel, representing perspectives from the science, conservation, and agribusiness fields, was comprised of Isabel Hardesty, deputy director for ShoreRivers; Jeff Sweeney from the Environmental Protection Agency; and Lindsay Thompson, director of Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts and Maryland Grain Producers Association.

“In order to meet our 2025 pollution reduction goals, we need to provide funding to fully staff Soil Conservation Districts,” said Hardesty. “We need more technical service and expertise to implement conservation practices. These county districts are understaffed and it is actively inhibiting our ability to reach Watershed Implementation Plan goals.” Thompson highlighted this need as well.

Tim Rosen, director of agriculture & restoration for ShoreRivers, led the Commission on a virtual tour of the history of conservation drainage practices around the Bay watershed, ending with a tour of projects completed with local farmers Kyle and Bobby Hutchison. Conservation drainage practices allow for better control of water in a farm field, resulting in less nutrient loss, erosion, and flooding, and greater crop yields.

“There is ample opportunity to implement conservation drainage practices across the Bay watershed and retain significant amounts of nutrients and sediments on farm fields instead of losing them to surface waters,” said Rosen.

To adequately meet pollution reduction goals, the Chesapeake Bay TMDL requires that all conservation practices be in place by 2025. In the remaining four years, both funding and implementation of practices must be prioritized in order to meet the deadline and achieve cleaner rivers and a healthier Bay.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

Collaborative Program by UMCES and ShoreRivers Expands Environmental Education

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ShoreRivers partnered with University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s (UMCES) Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) to create a five-day professional development summer workshop for 14 teachers, ranging from third grade through high school, from across the Eastern Shore, the start of a yearlong experience aimed at growing environmental education.

Teachers and trainers met virtually for a five-day professional development summer workshop, the start of a yearlong experience aimed at growing environmental education.

Teachers and trainers met virtually during July and August. The Meaningful Watershed Environmental Experience (MWEE) Academy, developed by Horn Point Laboratory faculty, graduate students, and Outdoor Education Specialist, was supported by a grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust and funding from the Fullwood Foundation. This initial week-long teacher engagement experience was designed to lay the foundation for a year-long MWEE Academy supporting teachers integrating Chesapeake Bay-focused issue investigations within existing curriculum following the MWEE framework: outdoor learning where students learn to ask questions, discover the answers, and create solutions to local environmental issues.

Originally scheduled to be a hands-on-experiential, week-long event, Point Laboratory’s Environmental Education Specialist Bryan Gomes and faculty member Judy O’Neil collaborated with ShoreRiver’s Director of Education Suzanne Sullivan and ShoreRivers staff member Rebecca Murphy to produce a virtual workshop.  To foster familiarity and cohesiveness between the 14 participating teachers and the program’s leaders, a MWEE Academy Yearbook was created in which each participant shared the best piece of advice, favorite place to travel, and what “environmentalism” means to them.

Teachers participated in three days of introduction to the MWEE process to develop skills associated with Environmental Literacy and to learn how to use the Environmental Literacy Model (ELM) to develop inquiry-based investigative learning modules.

The final two days involved a more in depth-dive into current research on the Chesapeake Bay being carried out by UMCES’ Horn Point Laboratory researchers, starting with an overview of research and environmental science education and a virtual introduction to campus. Science presentations were shared by faculty and graduate students included: Microplastic pollution in the environment;sustainability in the Bay: the role of oyster aquaculture; using oysters for engineering breakwaters for erosion control,harmful algal blooms and water quality,investigating effects of low-oxygen zones on plankton, and the use of drone technology for assessing water quality. Presentations included pre-recorded demonstrations by researchers in the field, following CoVID-19 safety protocols, combined with live virtual presentations.

Christine Knauss, PhD candidate at HPL, shares with teachers the prevalence, challenges, and dangers of plastic pollution to marine animals, the environment, and humans.

The next step in this year-long MWEE Academy experience involves teachers working in collaboration with ShoreRivers and UMCES’ Horn Point Laboratory to construct their own environmental education modules designed specifically for their class grade level and school community environmental issues. The development of Meaningful Watershed Environmental Experiences for the Chesapeake Bay region will help schools satisfy the state of Maryland mandate for environmental literacy and compliance with environmental literacy (e-lit) standards. The Chesapeake Bay Trust grant also includes funding for the teachers to visit Horn Point Laboratory’s Environmental Education Center for hand-on experience and funds for the teachers to initiate an environmental community action activity at their school, to help share their newly gained knowledge on pressing environmental issues in the Chesapeake Bay that would be of concern for their local region.

ShoreRivers Awarded DNR Grant for Two Large Restoration Projects

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Post-restoration shows the streambed raised and re-connected to its natural floodplain.

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce the receipt of a Maryland Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to complete two large ecological restorations on the Eastern Shore that will significantly reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering our rivers. In the Wye River watershed, ShoreRivers will restore 29 acres of marginal cropland to ponds, wetlands, and forest. In the Sassafras River watershed, ShoreRivers will restore 16 acres of floodplain and 4,800 feet of stream. This project will result in the complete restoration of the entire length of the stream, from a headwater agricultural ditch to the main stem of the Sassafras. The projects are slated to begin this fall and be completed by December 2021.

Wye River Restoration at Chesapeake College
The Chesapeake College Agriculture to Ecosystem project will convert 28.72 acres of an agricultural field with a badly incised ditch that drains nutrient and sediments to the Wye East River. The land will be removed from production, converted into two ponds, a series of wetland cells with habitat islands, planted infiltration berms and approximately 13.5 acres of tree plantings.The campus of Chesapeake College is located at the headwaters of the Wye East River.

This site will undergo a total conversion from an agricultural field to high quality wetland and forest habitat, all in view of heavily trafficked Route 50. This project will complement ShoreRivers’ regenerative stormwater conveyance project installed on a separate stream on the Chesapeake College campus, in addition to bioretentions, tree plantings, wildflower meadows, switchgrass buffers, and a wetland that have been installed throughout the campus. The project will also incorporate a walking path to allow students to use the project as an outdoor laboratory.
For more information about the Chesapeake College restoration, contact ShoreRivers Director of Operations & Finance Kristin Junkin at 443.385.0511 ext 204 or kjunkin@shorerivers.org.

Sassafras River Stream Restoration
The project in the Sassafras River watershed will restore 16 acres of floodplain wetlands and 4,800 feet of a headwater stream in the upper Sassafras. Combined with a recently completed restoration of 3,800 feet of stream also funded by Maryland DNR, this project represents 8,000 consecutive feet of stream restoration beginning in a headwaters agricultural ditch and flowing all the way to the main stem of the Sassafras River.

This restoration site is directly downstream of a ShoreRivers sampling site that historically has the highest monitored nutrient concentrations in the non-tidal Sassafras. The drainage is mainly agricultural but includes 43 acres of state and county roadways. Heavy stormflow runoff events have incised the stream channel with steep, eroding banks that are disconnected from its historic floodplain and subsequently unable to disperse stormflow energy, continually increasing the severity of bank erosion and over-widening of the channel.

This restoration, designed by Ecotone Ecological Restoration in consultation with ShoreRivers, goes beyond the consideration of nutrient processing and sediment storage, placing significant emphasis on promoting quality of in-stream and floodplain habitat, ecological uplift, and biodiversity. The restoration will promote higher dissolved oxygen levels within the stream system and lower water temperatures. This, along with connectivity of the floodplain, restoration of groundwater hydrology, seep habitat, and vernal pool wetlands, will provide critical habitat for a range of amphibians, reptiles, insects, and fish, and improve fish passage through the system to the Sassafras River headwaters.

For more information about the Sassafras restoration, contact ShoreRivers Restoration Manager Kim Righi at 443.385.0511 ext 251 or krighi@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

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ShoreRivers Hosts 16th Annual Ride for Clean Rivers

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Choptank and Miles-Wye Riverkeepers pose with Chesapeake College president Cliff Coppersmith before setting out on the course in 2019.

With more people and families seeking respite from the indoors, cycling has become an increasingly popular source of exercise and a welcome breath of fresh air. What better way to celebrate the outdoors than by riding on Sunday, September 20, at the 16th Annual Ride for Clean Rivers at Chesapeake College. Riders will enjoy the beautiful back roads of Talbot and Queen Anne’s Counties—or choose an alternate route to ride on your own—in support of ShoreRivers’ work for clean waterways. Staff, volunteers, and participants will be required to adhere to federal and state safety protocols on campus and at rest stops. This annual cycling eventis a great way to end summer and celebrate our watershed community. Register at shorerivers.org/events.

Cyclists of all ages and levels are welcome to ride 20-mile, 35-mile, or 62-mile (metric century) marked routes that begin and end at Chesapeake College. Registration includes an event t-shirt (if registered by September 4), SAG support by Bike Doctor Kent Island, and rest stops with refreshments provided by Sprout.

The metric ride will kickoff at 8 am and the 35-mile and 20-mile send-off will follow at 10 am, but a staggered or rolling start time may be arranged to preserve social distance requirements based on the number of registrants. Upon returning to the college campus, riders and volunteers will enjoy a BBQ lunch “to go” provided by Rude BBQ.

Riders are encouraged to join teams and create their own fundraising pages to boost support for their participation from others. New this year: riders who raise at least $160 will earn a free registration for themselves or a friend. ShoreRivers looks forward to continued support from the community for this year’s event, despite necessary restrictions on social gatherings. Whether enjoying a Sunday bike ride or promoting a business, this event is about showing support for our scenic and vulnerable watershed environment.

Special thanks to these supporters: leadership sponsors Blessings Environmental Concepts, KELLY Integral Solutions, Ecotone Ecological Restoration, and Ruff Roofers; generous vendor donors Sprout, Bike Doctor Kent Island, and Chesapeake College; and our volunteers from the ShoreRivers Midshore Watershed Advisory Board and Chesapeake Bay 4-H Club.

All proceeds go toward ShoreRivers’ science-based education, restoration, advocacy, and water quality monitoring programs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. For more information, please contact Connor Liu at cliu@shorerivers.org or 443.385.0511 extension 210.

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. We work collaboratively with our community yet maintain an uncompromising and independent voice for clean rivers and the living resources they support.

shorerivers.org

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More SAV is Key to River Health

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The recently released report on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) from the Virginia Institute for Marine Science shows a 37% decline in Chesapeake Bay grasses from 2018-2019. However, ShoreRivers has measured a dramatic increase in grasses in our rivers over the past few years and has heard from many volunteers and members of significant growth so far in 2020. So what’s going on?

First, it is important to note the report reflects results from the entire Chesapeake Bayin 2019 and the decline is primarily attributable to a significant loss of widgeon grass in the mainstem of the Bay. Scientists theorize this could have been caused by higher rainfall that negatively affected overall water quality and clarity.

Additionally, the report acknowledges that many individual tributaries actually experienced an expansion of grass beds from 2018 to 2019. In particular, the Sassafras River experienced an increase of 243 acres of grasses, the Chester an increase of 535 acres, and Eastern Bay and the Miles and Wye Rivers saw an increase of 172 acres. Although the Choptank River saw a decrease of 28 acres, we have received reports of new thriving beds in this region in 2020.

This is good news because SAV is vital to the health of the Chesapeake. Not only does it provide ecosystem essentials such as oxygen, habitat, and food, it also improves water quality and clarity by absorbing excess nutrients, sequestering carbon, and trapping sediment.

According to the 2019 VIMS report, the Bay has reached just 36% of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s ultimate restoration goal of 185,000 restored acres. We as a community need to work together to increase SAV acreage and meet this goal. ShoreRivers works closely with partners in the agriculture sector to install large-scale projects, but everyone can do their part with the simple strategies outlined below.

Recent photo of bed of horned pondweed in Le Gates Cove off the Choptank River.

Protect Grass Beds: This year the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) added 14,085 acres of underwater grasses to SAV Protection Zones, ensuring these new and established beds are protected from the devastating impacts of the hydraulic escalator dredge.Additionally, recreational boaters should always trim their motors if they must navigate through a grass bed. Remember: “For a Healthy Bay, Let Grasses Stay.”

Create a River-Friendly Yard: Cultivating a yard that mimics the natural landscape is the best way to protect underwater grasses and the long-term health of our rivers. SAV needs clear water for sunlight to reach grasses, which means that every homeowner should strive to reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients leaving their property. Buffers, rain gardens, and native plantings can reduce runoff into nearby waterways and result in clearer water.

Monitor Grass Beds: Join ShoreRivers’ SAV Watchers program to help record and maintain accurate data on the extent and diversity of grass beds in our rivers. The information collected informs harvesting and planting efforts with DNR, ground truths information gathered from aerial surveys, and helps us understand our progress toward meeting Chesapeake Bay Program goals for acres restored. This is a socially-distant volunteer opportunity that will enable you to directly provide scientists with vital information!

Harvest and Plant Seeds: ShoreRivers partners with DNR to sustainably harvest seeds from thriving grass beds in our rivers and replant them in areas that lack SAV. Data collected from SAV Watchers helps determine if these efforts are working and where we should concentrate next. Restoration plantings like these are an effective strategy to increase total SAV acreage.

While the latest report showing a 37% decline in Bay grasses from 2018-2019 is disappointing, the good news is that we know that with the help of our community,we can make a difference in our local water quality because we are already seeing positive results. Every citizen can help keep the momentum.Visit shorerivers.org to learn more about SAV and other ways to restore our rivers.

Elle Bassett
ShoreRivers
Miles-Wye Riverkeeper
ebassett@shorerivers.org

ShoreRivers protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

shorerivers.org

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Chestertown Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here