Do you have a passion for photography or just like to capture special moments with your phone? Do you love your local waterways and want to promote and protect them? ShoreRivers is running its 2022 Photo Contest from June through October, so snap a picture and send it our way! Your photo could be seen across the Eastern Shore—contest photos are displayed in ShoreRivers’ printed publications and at our outreach events, which reach thousands of people annually.

We are looking for images that reflect the ShoreRivers mission of protecting and restoring our Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. We are particularly interested in photos of people interacting with our land and water. Shore rivers are your rivers, and we want to see how you engage with the natural resources that we all strive to conserve.

Contest winners will be announced December 1 by email, social media, and the photo contest webpage. Winners will be chosen based on how well their images reflect the mission and values of ShoreRivers.There will be four winners for each watershed—Choptank; Miles, Wye, and Eastern Bay; Sassafras and Bayside Creeks; and Chester—for a total of 16 winners.

Photographers will be credited for their photos. Images must be taken in ShoreRivers’ geography. Photographers can submit up to four photos. To learn more about the rules and how to submit photos, please visit shorerivers.org/photo-contest.

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

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Every summer, ShoreRivers deploys a team of citizen scientists to monitor bacteria levels at popular swimming and boating sites to provide important human health risk information to the public. View the results every Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day at theswimguide.org and get updates during swim season by following#SwimmableShoreRivers or your local Riverkeeper’s page on social media.

The results from the 2021 SwimTester season show that bacteria levels vary based on location, land use, and weather; making systematic, scientific analysis of local water quality vital. Major rain events are almost always connected to spikes in bacteria levels, and outgoing tides have a higher probability of carrying bacteria pollution. In fact, our testing shows that almost 50% of the samples that failed in 2021 occurred after a major rain event on an outgoing tide. Meaning, a swimming spot is more likely to contain bacteria levels over the EPA’s threshold for safe swimming on an outgoing tide after a rain event—important information to know!

This public service provided by ShoreRivers truly is a community effort: this summer, 54 SwimTesters will monitor 40 sites on the Choptank, Miles, Wye, Chester, and Sassafras Rivers, Eastern Bay, and the Bayside Creeks. Generous site sponsors—including towns, marinas, homeowner’s associations, and families—help cover the sampling costs of $640 per site for one season. The Cornell Douglas Foundation provided funding to purchase state-of-the-art bacteria processing equipment and is supporting ShoreRivers’ efforts to reach more diverse communities, including translating bacteria information into Spanish. Thank you to everyone who is a part of this important effort!

Volunteer SwimTesters collect water samples weekly, which are then processed according to standard scientific protocols in ShoreRivers in-house labs. 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.

Multiple years of consistent bacteria monitoring have highlighted those sites that frequently show elevated levels of bacteria, potentially indicating a chronic source of bacteria pollution. Potential chronic sources of bacteria include failing septic systems, overflows or leaks from wastewater treatment plants, waste from animal farms, or manure fertilizer. Acute sources of bacteria pollution include overflows from wastewater treatment plants and pet or wild animal waste.

Additionally, the 2022 Pumpout Boat season on the Miles and Wye Rivers begins on Memorial Day weekend. The ShoreRivers Pumpout Boat is a FREE SERVICE offered on the Miles and Wye Rivers operating from May to mid-October. With your help, this boat will help prevent more than 20,000 gallons of concentrated marine waste from entering our waters annually. To schedule a pump-out, contact Captain Jim Freeman at 410-829-4352, on VHF Channel 9, email [email protected], or visit ShoreRivers.org/programs/pumpout-boat.

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

shorerivers.org

Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, ShoreRivers pivoted its annual Summer Solstice Celebration to instead features mall-group outdoor expeditions led by experts presenting particular aspects of our local ecosystem. Back by popular demand, ShoreRivers will again host a slate of exciting and experiential outings, as well as the beloved big-tent party on the banks of the Chester River! Register online now for your choice of a dozen expeditions and get your tickets for the Solstice Celebration at shorerivers.org/events. Expeditions will be held throughout the region from June 14-24 and the Celebration will be held at the Washington College boathouse on June 25.

ShoreRivers Executive Director Isabel Hardesty puts the event in context: “For many, the solstice indicates the official start to summer and warmer months when so many people flock to the river. By connecting with partners—regional experts in their fields, local celebrities, and entrepreneurs—we are able to provide uniquely memorable experiences that illustrate the need for healthy, accessible waterways. And it’s especially meaningful that we can celebrate the river together this year!”

Expedition offerings include a full moon paddle out of San Domingo Creek with Riverkeeper Matt Pluta, an evening tour and navigation lesson on board the River Packet with Bob Ingersoll, and a fabulous afternoon and evening of cycling followed by a wine tasting and rustic dinner in the barn at Crow Vineyard. Find details about these and more online.

The week will culminate in a grand celebration on Saturday, June 25, at Washington College’s Hodson Boathouse in Chestertown. Each $100 ticket includes: open bar with beer, wine, and a signature cocktail; hors d’oeuvres and a full buffet dinner; live music; and a beautiful setting along the Chester River. The celebration begins at 6:00 pm and continues through dusk with a rousing live auction where guests will bid on exceptional artwork, enticing destinations, and even a sail with Gary Jobson, America’s pre-eminent Ambassador for Sailing and Ted Turner’stactician aboard the winning America’s Cup yacht Courageous.

All funds raised during this event will go directly to support ShoreRivers’ work for clean rivers.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Help ShoreRivers achieve their clean water goals by becoming a sponsor for the Solstice Celebration, and joining a cadre of committed environmental stewards.

For tickets and more information, visit shorerivers.org/events or contact Freya Farley at 443.385.0511 ext 210 or [email protected].

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

shorerivers.org

ShoreRivers recently hosted its first Social and Environmental Justice Community Convening, bringing together a variety of organizations working on issues including environmental health, youth development, immigration, and justice. In a day filled with music, food, and good conversation, 11 organizations learned about one another, identified shared values, and brainstormed ways to collaborate to build the future Eastern Shore we want to live in together. Relationships built at this Convening 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.

This interactive event was facilitated by Doncella Wilson, licensed social worker and co-founder of Minary’s Dream Alliance, a visionary nonprofit for youth and families. Representatives attended from Adkins Arboretum, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Building African American Minds (BAAM), Men for Change, His Hope Ministries, ShoreRivers, Girls Learning Our Worth (GLOW), Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Envision the Choptank, Minary’s Dream Alliance, and Architects, Engineers, and Construction (ACE) Mentor Program. With deep experience in trauma-informed care, Wilson led the group as they explored the connection between social and environmental justice and shared their stories, values, vision, and needs.

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.

Find links to these local partner programs under Latest News on shorerivers.org and read more about the River-Friendly Yard program at shorerivers.org/river-friendly-yards.

Photo: The first Social and Environmental Justice cohort, pictured (left to right) are Jenny Houghton, Adkins Arboretum; Ingrid Diaz Lopez, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center; Suzette Turner, GLOW; Leslie Adelman, Adkins Arboretum; Betty Jarman, Men for Change; Loge Knight, His Hope Ministries; Deborah Short & Tyesha Greene, BAAM; Darran White Tilghman, ShoreRivers/co-facilitator; Stanford Ricks, Men for Change; Desiree Jefferson, His Hope Ministries; Larisa Prezioso, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy; Isabel Hardesty, ShoreRivers Executive Director; Darius Johnson, ACE Mentor Program; Ty Bolden & Jasmine Robinson, Minary’s Dream Alliance; Doncella Wilson, event facilitator and co-founder of Minary’s Dream Alliance. Not pictured but in attendance: Mairin Corasaniti & Amy Narimatsu, ShoreRivers; David Ricks, Sr., Men for Change; and Joanna Ogburn, Envision the Choptank.

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

shorerivers.org

This spring, ShoreRivers will be designing wetland restoration projects located on three different farms in the Chester River watershed, and will assess stream restoration opportunities throughout its region on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This work is made possible through four grants from Chesapeake Bay Trust totaling more than $321,000, and will result in significant reductions of nutrient and sediment pollution to our waterways.

ShoreRivers has prioritized three farms—one each on the lower, middle, and upper Chester River—on which to design headwater wetland and floodplain restoration projects. These projects will employ a “treatment train” method to maximize nutrient and sediment removal as well as habitat uplift. The approach on each farm will target the interface between the agricultural production area and the “natural areas” downstream through use of existing swale areas, grassed waterways, ditches, and marginal crop ground. Restored areas will 1) slow water in storm events that cause downstream degradation of critical stream and wetland habitat, 2) treat runoff and captured groundwater through innovative and highly efficient treatment practices, and 3) restore downstream habitat to maximize the ecological uplift and function of natural areas.

In related work, ShoreRivers will be assessing and prioritizing stream restoration opportunities throughout its region. Streams and ditches adjacent to, in, or near agricultural activities are increasingly at risk for sediment erosion and nutrient delivery as storm events intensify in response to climate change. Degraded streams can receive large volumes of water in a short period of time, contributing to erosion and destabilization of the stream banks and delivering agriculturally-sourced nutrients to downstream estuarine rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

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 the monthly e-newsletter at shorerivers.org/subscribe.

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

shorerivers.org

Trash is everywhere throughout our watersheds. It’s nearly impossible to go anywhere without seeing garbage littering roadways, fluttering through farm fields, floating in ditches and streams, and dirtying parks. This spring, ShoreRivers and volunteers are hosting community trash cleanups as part of Project Clean Stream, a Bay-wide trash cleanup organized by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and coordinated by local groups like ShoreRivers. Project Clean Stream is an opportunity for citizens across the entire Bay watershed to work together to clean our shared water resource.

Friday, April 1 marks the official kickoff date, and cleanups will continue throughout May.

Join a Project Clean Stream cleanup near you:
• Saturday, April 2 at 9:00 am: Long Wharf Park, Cambridge
• Saturday, April 2 at 9:00am: Terrapin State Park with Kent Island Beach Cleanups
• Saturday, April 2 at 10:30 am: Claiborne Landing and Beach, Claiborne
• Saturday, April 2 at 9:00 am: Wards Hill Road, Warwick
• Sunday, April 3 at 1:00 pm: Bennett Point, Queenstown
• Sunday, April 3 at 1:00 pm: Old Love Point Park, Stevensville
• Saturday, April 9 at 8:30 am: Fox Hole Public Landing on the Sassafras River
• Saturday, April 9 at 9:00 am: Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area
• Saturday, April 9 at 9:00 am: Park Lane, Cambridge
• Saturday, April 16 at 10:00 am: Weis Parking Lot and Bay Street Ponds, Easton
• Saturday, April 16 at 9:00 am: Main Street/Route 18, Stevensville
• Saturday, April 23 at 9:00 am: Easton Point Marina, Easton
• Saturday, April 23 at 9:00 am: Unionville Road, Easton
• Sunday, April 24 at 1:00 pm: Old Wye Episcopal Church, Wye Mills
• Saturday, May 7 at 11:00 am: Easton Point Marina, Easton
• Thursday, May 26 at 12:00 pm: Maces Lane, Cambridge

To volunteer for any of these cleanups, please contact Amy Narimatsu at [email protected]. Trash bags and gloves will be provided; volunteers are encouraged to bring water, a mask, and wear appropriate attire.

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

shorerivers.org

ShoreRivers recently completed a yearlong assessment of the Bayside Creeks watershed, comprising Still Pond, Churn, Worton, and Fairlee Creeks in western Kent County. This was the first time a comprehensive assessment has been conducted for these four waterways, culminating in the Bayside Creeks Watershed Assessment and Action Plan.

The goals of the assessment were twofold: identify sources and quantities of nutrients and sediment loads impacting these creeks and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay; and create a management plan with a prioritized list of actions that ShoreRivers, Kent County, and other watershed partners can use as a blueprint to help reduce inputs and improve water quality. The resulting management plan includes an assessment of existing water quality data, point source discharge permit analysis, a targeted load reduction strategy, a cost-benefit analysis of potential retrofits used to prioritize projects, several concept designs for high priority projects, a list of possible funding sources, an implementation timeline, and a geographic information system (GIS) analysis of land use, site conditions, and restoration opportunities.

“The results of this assessment provide a thorough analysis of current conditions on these four creeks and will help guide our communication and restoration priorities for years to come,” said Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher. “These waterways and communities haven’t had a seat at the table until recently, and now we have a comprehensive plan to move forward with engaging these communities and restoring these waterways.”

The Bayside Creeks watershed is roughly 37,803 acres and falls between the Sassafras River and Chester River watersheds. It has previously been left out of many restoration efforts and water quality monitoring because it was not represented by a watershed organization. ShoreRivers incorporated the Bayside Creeks region into its territory in 2019, and has been working to increase restoration, education, and water quality monitoring efforts in these four creeks since then. This specific watershed-based plan is vital for these creeks due to their historic underrepresentation in water quality improvement efforts and to establish a baseline for future restoration and outreach work.

The Bayside Creeks watershed land use is similar to the nearby Sassafras and Chester watersheds—approximately56% agriculture, 28% forest, 7% developed, and 9% wetlands. These creeks suffer from the same problems that affect the Sassafras, Chester, and most Eastern Shore waterways, including high phosphorus loading, wetland loss, erosion, and algal blooms.

However, the Bayside Creeks provide a stark contrast to many agriculturally-dominated watersheds. Conservation best management practices have been implemented at a scale that is not often seen, addressing nutrient and sediment loading both at the source and through transport. Grassed waterways are the norm rather than the exception and most stream segments are well buffered with mature forest or grasses. Farm ponds and wetlands are numerous and, in most instances, work in tandem with grassed waterways to provide a “treatment train” toslow down erosion, provide storage for stormwater, and treat nutrients. Analysis was completed using water quality data, GIS analysis, and ground-truthing with site visits.

ShoreRivers has developed concept plans for the restoration of three specific streams. The organization is actively pursuing funding to design and implement these plans in the next couple of years. Concept plans can be viewed on ShoreRivers’ website (link below).

“I’m looking forward to working with landowners and neighborhood groups to bring more resources to the Bayside Creeks watershed and increase stakeholder engagement in our restoration efforts for these creeks,” said Kelleher.

Thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Trust Watershed Assistance Grant Program, which provided $49,903 to conduct this assessment. 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 at @shorerivers on Facebook; @shoreriversorg on Instagram; or by subscribing to monthly e-newsletters at shorerivers.org/subscribe.

The full watershed assessment document can be found on ShoreRivers’ website at: https://www.shorerivers.org/technical-documents. For more information on the assessment and management plan, contact Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher at [email protected].

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

ShoreRivers is accepting applications for four paid summer internships: one position based in the Easton office is open to the public, and three positions based in the Chestertown and Galena offices are open to Washington College students. Internships feature a variety of activities including restoration, water quality monitoring, outreach, enforcement, and education. Interns will gain experience and training in scientific water quality monitoring equipment and protocols, complete a Maryland boater safety certification, become familiar with handling a boat, and gain many other skills and professional experiences. All internships run for ten weeks between May and August and provide $5,000 in compensation.

Photo: Emma Macturk, a 2021 ShoreRivers and Washington College intern, processes bacteria samples with Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards and Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher. Photo credit: Annie Richards

The Elizabeth Brown Memorial Fund at ShoreRivers supports the Easton-based internship program. Programmatic work for this internship will be conducted primarily in the Choptank, Miles, and Wye River watersheds, with some travel throughout the entire ShoreRivers region.

Erin Stubbs, ShoreRivers’ 2021 Elizabeth Brown Memorial intern, said, “Interning with ShoreRivers was an unforgettable experience. It opened my eyes to some of the undiscovered wonders of the Eastern Shore. Although I’ve lived here all my life, I haven’t had the opportunity to explore and uncover the best parts of the Shore. ShoreRivers not only gave me this opportunity, but allowed me to promote healthy waterways while working with some of the most dedicated people.

“During my time there,” Stubbs continued, “I gained valuable knowledge and environmental/policy experience, met wonderful people, and helped to preserve my home waterways. In addition, this internship has given me the personal and professional development to secure a study-abroad internship at the Rediscovery Centre in Dublin, Ireland. I am furthering my knowledge on how to help the environment in a business, research, communications, and policy role surrounding a circular economy in Europe.”

Applicants for the Elizabeth Brown Memorial Internship should be a rising college junior or senior, or recent college graduate. Degrees in Biology, Environmental Science, or related fields are encouraged. Please send a resume and cover letter to Ann Frock, Office Manager, at [email protected] by February 28. Interviews will be conducted by Zoom in February and March and an intern will be selected and notified no later than March 15.

Three other internship positions are offered through a partnership with the Washington College Center for Environment & Society, and are based in Chestertown, Maryland. This opportunity is open to rising juniors or seniors at Washington College, as well as recent graduates.

“I loved working at ShoreRivers, and was able to learn from and work with a variety of departments during my summer to give me a glimpse into multiple areas of nonprofit restoration work,” said Emma Macturk, who participated in the ShoreRivers and Washington College internship program in 2021. “One of my favorite activities was working with the Choptank Riverkeeper, Education Department, and volunteers on Oyster Reef Ball Builds. Building oyster reef balls with community members was a great way to connect them with their river and encourage stewardship and pride in it.”

Current Washington College students should apply for these three Washington College Center for Environment & Society internships through JobX no later than February 18. Recent graduates can apply by sending a cover letter and resume to Jamie Frees Miller, Center Coordinator at [email protected]. Interviews will be conducted in February and March and an intern will be selected and notified no later than March 18. Interns will be compensated $5,000 and campus housing can be arranged.

Applicants are encouraged to visit shorerivers.org prior to applying to learn more about the organization’s programs.

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

shorerivers.org

Registration is now open for the 2022 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. The event is co-hosted by ShoreRivers and the Washington College Center for Environment and Society, and will take place at Washington College’s Gibson Center for the Arts in Chestertown on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Summit, open to middle and high school students, is a conference-style day to celebrate and empower youth environmental action on the Eastern Shore. Spaces are available for 100 students and are expected to fill up quickly. Visit uppershoresummit.weebly.com/mentors to register and explore Summit activities.

The Summit agenda includes a networking breakfast, where students will learn about local environmental volunteer and internship opportunities and resources to support their action ideas. Student keynote speakers will kickoff speaker sessions that include professionals such as Imani Black, founder and CEO of Minorities in Aquaculture, and ShoreRivers Chester Riverkeeper, Annie Richards. Other highlights include an environmental art challenge and complimentary breakfast and lunch. Summit student leaders have helped to plan engaging, relevant, and exciting activities throughout the event.

Summit hosts are accepting registration submissions from adult community members who wish to serve as Summit mentors. Mentors are responsible for groups of 1-10 youth participants during the event, and could be a parent, teacher, scout leader, 4-H leader, etc. Students who do not yet have a mentor but still wish to participate in the Summit can register separately through the website’s student page and be matched with a group that has a registered mentor. Participants must register no later than March 4, 2022.

The Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit is seeking event sponsors who want to empower local youth in environmental action. Please contact ShoreRivers Director of Education Suzanne Sullivan at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship. The Summit will be in person and will follow COVID protocols, including reduced attendee capacity and mandatory masks. Summit hosts are monitoring the situation and will switch to virtual if necessary.

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

shorerivers.org