Arlington County's Phase 1 MS4 Permit
"The Potomac Conservancy’s Our River: Our Water campaign advocates for river-friendly land use policies and decisions at the local level. We seek to improve water quality in the Washington DC metro region by reducing polluted run-off. Enacting a strong MS4 permit in Arlington is a key plank of our campaign."
To read more of PC President Hedrick Belin's Testimony on the proposed Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit in Arlington County click here.
We're Hiring! Join the Potomac Conservancy Team
Clean Water Campaign Organizer
Potomac Conservancy seeks an organizer to build a base of at least 5,000 advocates in targeted localities to speak up for clean water. The initial focus will be in Northern Virginia.
The ideal candidate will be able to integrate in-person organizing with online engagement strategies to enact policies to reduce polluted runoff and to secure additional funding for clean water initiatives. This is a part of Potomac Conservancy's ongoing efforts to advocate for river-friendly land use policies and decisions at the local level.
Land Protection Manager
We are looking for a Land Protection Manager for our office in Winchester,VA
The Land Protection Manager works closely with the Land Protection Director and the Senior Director of Land Conservation to advance the Conservancy’s land protection goals, which include negotiating, drafting and closing conservation easements in target watersheds as well as stewarding the Conservancy’s growing portfolio of more than 70 existing easements and fee-owned lands. The Land Protection Manager is responsible for building effective working relationships with private landowners, government agencies, and non-profit partners that will advance the Conservancy’s land protection goals and its mission to improve water quality in the Potomac River watershed.
For More Information, Click Here!
Potomac Conservancy supports Montgomery County Tree Bills
Two important bills to maintain and increase our tree canopy have been introduced in the Montgomery County Council.
Read more about the tree bills by visiting Conservation Mongomery's website and sign a petition to show your support of trees.
On January 17th, Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on the two bills seeking to protect and increase tree canopies. Check out PC President Hedrick Belin's testimony and read why Potomac Conservancy supports trees and the passage of Montgomery County Council Bill 35-12 (Urban Tree Canopy Bill) and Bill 41-12 (Roadside Tree Protection Bill).
Potomac Conservancy's Newest Conservation Easement
The Landfall Farm conservation easement closed on December 28, 2012. The 188-acre property, containing 145 acres of forest, 0.5 acres of wetland, and 1.56 of stream miles (2.73 riparian buffer miles), is located about 8 miles north of Winchester in Frederick County, VA. It borders two Potomac Conservancy conservation easements, making it the latest installment in a growing conservation hub.
Potomac Conservancy featured in Land We Love
Thank you to Land Trust Alliance for featuring Potomac Conservancy in its Land We Love spread of its winter newsletter Saving Land. To see beautiful photographs of the Potomac and the Land We Love spread click here.
South Branch Priority Lands Maps Available!
The final maps from the South Branch Valley community planning process are now up! These maps were created through the input of more than 50 landowners and conservation partners at a workshop in September near Romney, West Virginia. Maps outline the most important areas to protect with voluntary conservation easements and will be used to leverage funds and raise support for land protection in the South Branch valley. Read more here.
Troubled Waters: Conservancy Report Identifies Major Potomac Pollutants
Potomac Conservancy released its sixth annual State of the Nation's River report, outlining the consequences of four main pollutants of the Potomac River and what the Potomac region must do to improve its water quality. To learn more, click here.
Conservancy offering free conservation assessments to MD non-operator landowners
If you own Maryland farmland in the tinted areas shown on this map but do not live on or operate your land, you may be eligible for a free conservation service. The Conservancy's Landowner Advisor, Joe Thompson, is providing free conservation assessments to help you improve land management, wildlife habitat, water quality, scenic beauty and more! Joe will visit your property, walk your land, and provide a list of recommendation on how you might improve your land investment - including helping to connect you with the right technical and financial resources to make it happen. Read more about the project here.
Potomac Conservancy honored as Greenway Champions
The Kodak American Greenways Program presented Potomac Conservancy with an award for being a leader in enhanc
ing our nation's outdoor hertiage.
With a partnership between Eastman Kodak Company, National Geographic Society and the Conservation Fund, the Kodak American Greenways Program works to enhance our nation's network of greenways, blueways, trails and natural areas through community-based grants.
Potomac Conservancy was honored by the Kodak American Greenways Leadership Award for its various land and water protection and community engagement programs that promote conservation and stewardship to enhance and protect the Potomac River- "Custodian of 'The Nation’s River', the Potomac Conservancy has led in the conservation and stewardship of the Potomac River corridor and its tributaries for the benefit of present and future generations."
To find out more information about Kodak's American Greenways Leadership Awards click here.
Potomac Conservancy Launches Non-Operator Landowner Program
Serve with Us! Potomac Conservancy is Looking for Chesapeake Conservation Corps Volunteers
Work for Potomac Conservancy, earn a stipend, and serve your community!
If you are between the ages of 18 and 25 and are looking to gain experience in the environmental field, the Chesapeake Conservation Corps program could be the perfect fit.
Now in its fourth year, the Corps program is currently accepting applications for 20-25 yearlong, paid positions at conservation organizations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Potomac Conservancy is one of the potential host sites - gain valuable experience while working on our Outreach programs! Applications are accepted through April 19th. View Potomac Conservancy's Host Application here to find out more about the amazing programs we have you'll support during your service!
Download your application to submit to Chesapeake Bay Trust here!
For more information, contact Outreach Director Anna Wadhams at wadhams@potomac.org or (301) 608-1188 x205.
12,000 Acres Preserved!
Potomac Conservancy Closes Five Easements in 2011
Last year brought great success to Potomac Conservancy's land protection initiatives! We closed on five easements with a total area of 573 acres. These easements bring Potomac Conservancy's total land saved to over 12,000 acres! Read more here.
Reports available from Potomac Conservancy
See our "Voice of the River" Annual Report to learn about the many successes Potomac Conservancy achieved in 2011.
Click here for a PDF version.
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.
Other Releases:
- 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.
EDC FORUM
Potomac Conservancy hosted science, policy, and technology experts for an important discussion about how to protect the health of our rivers and streams in light of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) and other emerging contaminants that are present in our waterways.
