Our Comments on Drug Take-Back Program to Clean our Waters
This afternoon, Conservancy President Hedrick Belin is at the Maryland Statehouse in Annapolis adding our testimony in support of House Bill 648, which would establish a drug return program in Maryland. This bill would create a drug stewardship program which would keep some endocrine disrupting compounds out of of Maryland’s rivers and streams as well as the Chesapeake Bay. The Conservancy supports efforts to ensure the comprehensive collection and safe disposal of pharmaceuticals. Such a program needs to be designed to ensure the safe and secure disposal of unwanted or expired medicines to protect both human and aquatic health. Click here for our comments.
Spring Fun at the River Center at Lockhouse 8
The River Center at Lockhouse 8 will have a few early spring events. The River Center will open for the season on May 1.
Bird Survey: Sunday, March 14, 8 – 9:30 am- Canal Stewards Cleanup Day: Sunday, March 14, 10 am – 12 pm
- Potomac River Watershed Clean-up: Saturday, April 10, 9 am – 12 pm
- Docent Training: Sunday, April 25, 2 – 4 pm
Check out photos from past events on Facebook and Flickr.
See a listing of Lockhouse events online, and be sure to visit our calendar for more information, or contact Potomac Conservancy’s Outreach Coordinator, Deanna Tricarico, at tricarico@potomac.org; 301.608.1188, x204. Directions to the River Center at Lockhouse 8, C&O Canal National Historical Park, Cabin John, MD.
Come Out for the Potomac Watershed Cleanup on April 10
Please join the Potomac Conservancy as we do our part to keep our communities clean at the annual Potomac River Watershed Clean-up, organized by the Alice Ferguson Foundation. On Saturday, April 10, the Conservancy will be hosting clean-up events at several sites throughout the watershed, including:
- The River Center at Lockhouse 8, Cabin John, MD
- Bear Branch Stream Valley, Adamstown, MD
- Fletcher’s Boathouse, Washington, DC
- Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington, DC
- Tenfoot and Sharpshin Islands via Algonkian Regional Park, Sterling, VA
To volunteer, contact Deanna Tricarico, tricarico@potomac.org of (301) 608-1188 x204.
Attend our Spring Gala on April 29
Date: Thursday, April 29, 2010
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: 24th Floor of the Corporate Executive Board Highrise, Rosslyn, VA
Spectacular Sky-high RiverView under a Full Moon!
Live Music ~ Open Bar Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres
River Art Exhibition ~ Recreation Raffle
Purchase your ticket today by ordering online
or by contacting Darcy Levit: levit@potomac.org, 301.608.1188, x206.
Conservancy Supports Adoption of VA Stormwater Reg Amendments
Virginia Policy Director Pat Felling wrote comments to support the proposed amendments to 4VAC50-60. In the letter, the Conservancy urges the Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Board to adopt the proposed amendments with the phosphorus rules intact, and take a significant step in controlling stormwater pollution. Click here to see a PDF copy of the Conservancy's comments, and contact Pat Felling at felling@potomac.org for more information.
Promoting Cost-share Programs in Frederick Cty MD
Frederick County (MD) Commissioners voted to continue the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which offers participants a cost share to vegetate stream banks running through farmland. These streamside buffers protect stream banks from erosion and filter the runoff of fertilizers and chemicals into waterways. there are some local efforts to get more farmers into CREP, which would make them eligible for the easement program. The Monocacy-Catoctin Watershed Alliance, an organization of local watershed professionals, and Potomac Conservancy are devising a plan to promote CREP to more farmers in Frederick County. Click here for the full article.
Conservation Partners Call for Chesapeake Treasured Landscape Initiative
Potomac Conservancy has joined a select group of organizations invited to sign a joint letter on Chesapeake Treasured Landscapes. The letter, calling to improve the Chesapeake's water quality and protect and restore wildlife habitat, was submitted on Friday, January 8, to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Click here for more information, or contact Michael Shultz at 410-972-2470.
Conservancy Profiled in 2009-2010 Catalogue for Philanthropy
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Potomac Conservancy has been chosen as one of four nature organizations featured in 2009-10 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. Every year, the Catalogue features the Metro area's best and most promising nonprofits. Ninety Catalogue reviewers and staff believe that the Conservancy is one of the finest smaller nonprofits that Greater Washington has to offer!
The Catalogue's new website makes it easy to browse through the top 50 nonprofits in the area, donate online and send gift cards to friends and coworkers.
Emerging Contaminants in Potomac Discussed in State of the Nation's River Report
Every day, we are showered with hundreds of thousands of chemicals. Additionally, more than 1,000 new compounds are introduced annually. Many of these compounds, when acting alone or in tandem with other chemicals, mimic or disrupt the normal functions of the endocrine system.
We hope this report will raise awareness of the presence of endocrine disrupting compounds and spur action to remove them from our water supply before they have a negative impact on present and future generations.
Thanks for a great Growing Native collection season
Thanks to everyone who collected seeds for Growing Native
. We hope to see you again next year!
Growing Native is a fun, easy way to give back to the environment. If you would like to receive more information about Growing Native and organizing your own collection event, please contact Deanna Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator, at (301) 608-1188, x204, or tricarico@potomac.org. Register your own collection at www.growingnative.org
Conservancy Seeks Accreditation
Potomac Conservancy has submitted an application for land trust accreditation. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands. Accredited land trusts uphold the public trust and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent. The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the Conservancy complied with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. Click here for the full list of standards. To learn more about the accreditation program, click here.
Conservancy's "Survivor: Potomac Islands" Video an Editor's Pick
Conservancy Profiled in 2009-2010 Catalogue for Philanthropy
Every year, the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington features the Metro area's best and most promising nonprofits. Potomac Conservancy has been chosen for inclusion in the 2009-10 Catalogue---one of 4 nature organizations chosen for this honor. Ninety Catalogue reviewers and staff believe that Potomac Conservancy is one of the finest smaller nonprofits that Greater Washington has to offer! Here's the link to the list of this year's Catalogue. Click here to join the Conservancy today!
Reports available from Potomac Conservancy
The State of the Nation's River report provides an overview and assessment of the condition of the nation's river and offers solutions on how to meet the needs of our populace while maintaining vigorous and healthy lands and waters.
Recent Release:
Passage Creek Aquatic Community Assessment: The Conservancy, and researchers from Virginia Tech's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife launched a comprehensive study of this North Fork Shendanoah River tributary in 2007. Our report is available here.
