River News and Activities
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Potomac
Conservancy
8601 Georgia Avenue
Suite 612
Silver Spring, MD 20910
p 301.608.1188
f 301.608.1144
info@potomac.org
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Protecting the health, beauty,
and enjoyment of
the Potomac
River and
its tributaries ~
Banner
image by
Don Chernoff
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The Acorns Are Falling! The Acorns Are Falling! |
Sponsored
by: |
- Get Nuts for Clean Water with Growing Native! - Through November
- Meet Other River Lovers! - Ongoing
- 2006 Growing Native Seed Collection Events! - October 7, 14 & November 4
- Potomac River Ramble: Fall Foliage Paddle with Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin - October 12-15
- The Gaia Theory: Model & Metaphor for the 21st Century - Oct. 14-15
- Voices of the River: Fiddlin’ on the Porch with Kitchen Gorilla - October 15
- Last Day for a Busy Summer Season at the River Center - October 15
- The Growing Demand for Green Landscaping - November 16
- Chesapeake Watershed Forum - November 17-19
- Potomac Gorge Exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden - Through November 19
- House Panel Prods EPA to Speed Probe of Pollutants, Abnormal Fish
- Franklin County Helps to Keep the Potomac Clean and Green
- Male Bass Across Region Found to Be Bearing Eggs
- Boathouse Could Face Additional Setbacks
- State Warns of Algae Blooms on Potomac River
- Clues Emerge in South Branch Intersex Fish Study
Now through November |
Get Nuts for Clean Water with Growing Native! Volunteers needed to gather hardwood nuts and seeds for clean water. It’s all part of Growing Native, an annual program to help restore the Potomac River and its tributary streams. Simply gather seeds that drop from native hardwood trees in your community and deliver to a local drop-off site. After drop-off, the seeds will be nurtured into seedlings which will be planted in order to help restore the forests which filter pollution and run-off before it enters streams and rivers in the Potomac Watershed. Since 2001, Growing Native has helped restore nearly 800 miles of streamside land in the Potomac Watershed!
For more information about Growing Native, contact Colleen Langan, Growing Native Coordinator, at langan@potomac.org, or call 301.608.1188 x211. |
Anyone and everyone can “get nuts for clean water”. Enjoy the fall weather while collecting individually or with friends and family. Organize a group collection event for your school, business, community group or scout troop. Or, attend one of the fun events below. Make a difference today! |
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Ongoing
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Meet
Other River Lovers! Help keep the Conservancy running smoothly. We need volunteers to assist with data entry, mailing preparation, filing, and other general administrative duties. The best part? The chance to meet other river lovers, including other volunteers and Potomac Conservancy staff! A minimum eight-hour commitment per month is required. Volunteers who dedicate at least 16 hours per month will get free pizza once a month! We are a short walk from the Silver Spring Metro (red line). Stop by anytime to meet us and learn more about this opportunity. Contact: Potomac Conservancy at info@potomac.org. |
INTERSEX FISH ON THE POTOMAC
This is not the title of a campy ‘50s drive-in movie, but the latest in a string of insults upon the river that provides so much to our communities, including our DRINKING WATER.
Male fish in the Potomac and its tributaries have been found developing eggs. The first intersex fish were found in the region in 2002, and there are still no answers as to why this is happening. In some areas, high percentages of male fish are intersex. Recent high profile news reports mean that the issue is not going away and the time has come to start asking our elected officials to do something.
Research currently indicates that pollutants are likely to blame. So called “endocrine disruptors” that affect the hormones within fish are causing this problem. But where are these “disruptors” coming from? How big is the problem? Is it getting worse? Can it harm your children?
On Wednesday, October 4, Congress held a hearing on the issue and our local representatives took the EPA to task for not doing enough to protect human health. Thanks to real bipartisan concern on the part of our local members of Congress, this issue may be gaining the focused and intensive attention it deserves.
Please call your member of Congress and ask them to get the EPA to stop wasting time and get to the bottom of this issue. Also, take a moment to thank Rep. Van Hollen, Rep. Moran, Rep. Davis, Rep. Cummings, and Rep. Gilchrist, for asking the tough questions and taking a leadership role on this issue.
To find your member of Congress, visit, http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml
Free
Saturday, |
2006 Growing
Native Seed Collection Events! October 7th. 10am-noon. Truxtun Park, Annapolis, MD Volunteers of all ages are needed to gather acorns, walnuts, and other tree seeds at Truxtun Park in Annapolis, Maryland. During the seed collecting event, professionals from Potomac Conservancy and the Potomac Watershed Partnership will be on hand to help volunteers collect, identify and sort seeds by type. Truxtun Park is located at 273 Hilltop Lane, Annapolis, MD. Please take the 2nd Entrance to the tennis courts, pool, skate park, and boat ramp. Meet at the parking lot nearest to Truxtun Skate Park and Truxtun boat ramp. For more information please contact Heather Montgomery, Potomac Conservancy Conservation Program Assistant at 301. 608. 1188 x 209 or montgomery@potomac.org.
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| Saturday, October 14 10 'til noon |
October 14th. 10am-noon. Arlington National Cemetery Volunteers of all ages are needed to gather acorns, walnuts, and other tree seeds at Arlington National Cemetery. During the seed collecting event, professionals from Potomac Conservancy and the Potomac Watershed Partnership will be on hand to help volunteers collect, identify and sort seeds by type. Meeting location to be posted soon at http://www.growingnative.org. For more information please contact Colleen Langan, Potomac Growing Native Coordinator at 301.608.1188 x 211 or langan@potomac.org.
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| Saturday, November 4 | November 4th. Growing Native End of Season Event |
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Thursday, October 12 through Sunday, October 15 $120 adults $105 children |
Potomac River Ramble: Fall Foliage Paddle with Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin! The autumn foliage of the Potomac River’s Paw Paw Bends will be the focal point of the fall Potomac River Ramble, a weekend journey organized by the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Ramblers will meet the evening of October 12 at Oldtown, Md., and end their journey in the early afternoon on October 15 at Little Orleans, Md. After a weekend on the river, ramblers will be more familiar with the river’s resources and have a sense of how they can help to improve the health of the Potomac River and its watershed. Registration fees, $120 for adults and $105 for children, include program materials, shuttle service on the first night, camping fees, all meals, daily gear transport on land, and expert river guide service. Participants should provide their own boat and camping gear. River and Trail Outfitters will lead the group down the river and provide discount boat rentals. For more information about the Ramble, please contact the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin by visiting http://www.potomacriver.org/ramble.htm or contact Jennifer Dotson jdotson@icprb.org, (301) 984-1908 x 109. |
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Sat. - Sun. Fee: $130
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The Gaia Theory: Model & Metaphor for the 21st Century What kind of science and perspectives do we need to most effectively address global issues such as climate change, energy and other matters? The conference features internationally known speakers on Earth science, energy and related topics and will be held on October 14-15, 2006 at the George Mason University Law School in Arlington, VA. The Gaia Theory is a compelling way of understanding life on our planet; an interdisciplinary context that is enriching science at every level. The theory has already inspired ideas and practical applications for climate research, energy and economic systems, and new scientific inquiry. Lynn Margulis, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and long-time advocate of the Gaia Theory, is a keynote speaker. Among many other speakers: Tyler Volk, Co-director of the Program in Earth and Environmental Science at New York University; Dr. Donald Aitken, Principal of Donald Aitken Associates; Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, President of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment; Robert Correll, Senior Fellow, Atmospheric Policy Program, American Meteorological Society and noted environmental ethicist, J. Baird Callicott. James Lovelock, the theory's progenitor, has prepared a video specifically for the event. Register now and find out additional information at http://www.gaiatheory.org/ . The conference fee is $130 - a limited number of scholarships are available for teachers and students. Call (703) 528-5406 or email Potomac@NVRPA.org with any questions. |
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Sunday, 3 pm 'til 4 pm Free |
Voices
of the River: Fiddlin’ on the Porch with Kitchen Gorilla The fiddle and guitar duo Kitchen Gorilla will return with a medley of river-oriented folk strumming. Join us for a range of tunes, including American folk songs, Scandinavian waltzes, traditional old English dance melodies, and old-time Appalachian foot-stompers. Contact: Judy
Welles, River Center at Lockhouse 8 Director, at welles@potomac.org or 301.608.1188. |
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| Open
through Sunday, October 15 |
Last
Day of a Busy Summer Season for the River Center Plan a visit to our River Center before the season ends! The River Center has had another active visitor season with nearly 2,000 visitors since opening in May. Stop by to learn more about the C&O Canal history and ecology from one of our volunteer docents every weekend day from 10 am 'til 2 pm through October 15. Contact: Judy Welles, River Center at Lockhouse 8 Director, at welles@potomac.org or 301.608.1188. |
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Monday, 10 am 'til 3 pm Free
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The Growing Demand for Greener Landscaping Conservation landscaping techniques and the emerging native plant market will be the focus of this workshop, sponsored by Potomac Conservancy. Professional landscapers, Community Planners, Landscape Architects, Gardeners, Nursery Workers and anyone else whose profession or hobby would benefit from advanced conservation landscaping techniques is encouraged to attend. During the workshop, regional experts will discuss the benefits of using native plants, rain gardens, fire-resistant plants and water-efficient plants. This program is free and made possible through the generous support of Agua Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Potomac Watershed Partnership. Registration required. To register or for more information, including a complete workshop schedule, please contact Kelly McDaniel, Conservation Program Assistant, at (540) 667.3606 or via email at mcdaniel@potomac.org. |
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November 17-19 fee: $100.00* (*single day rate also available) |
Chesapeake Watershed Forum Don't miss this opportunity to keep your watershed organization or local government on top of the best management practices, emerging issues, scientific techniques and organizational capacity building skills. Join us in beautiful West Virginia to celebrate the diversity of the watershed with workshops, forums, networking, field trips, labs and social activities. Complete details available at: http://www.acb-online.org/project.cfm?vid=265 Sessions and field trips begin on Friday afternoon and run until Sunday afternoon. On-site lodging in private rooms, food court buffet style meals, and all Forum sessions, including labs and field trips are included in the registration fee of $100.00 per person. A limited amount of single day registrations are available for the Forum, please call 717-737-8622, ext. 13 for current information on availability. Single day rates which include meals and sessions but not lodging are: Friday-$30.00; Saturday-$45.00; Sunday-$25.00. All attendees must pre-register, no walk-in registrations or walk-in attendance is permitted. Forum registration closes on October 31, 2006 or before, if all space is filled. As of October 3rd, just 50 spaces remain! Don't Delay. REGISTER TODAY! Visit http://www.acb-online.org/project.cfm?vid=265 or call 717-737-8622, ext. 13. |
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Open now through November 19 10 am 'til 5 pm Free
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Potomac
Gorge Exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden Discover the Potomac Gorge's rich plant life and the efforts underway to protect it! The U.S. Botanic Garden, the oldest botanic garden in North America, presents an exhibit focused on the natural beauty of the Potomac Gorge and what is being done to save it—and its vital resources—for future generations. Walk through a live sampling of the gorge's plant species and learn about the conservation efforts underway by the National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Potomac Conservancy, and others to protect this diverse section of our nation's river. To learn more
about the U.S. Botanic Garden and the Potomac Gorge Exhibit,
please visit the website: http://www.usbg.gov/ |
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House Panel Prods EPA to Speed Probe of Pollutants, Abnormal Fish
Washington Post — A panel of U.S. representatives criticized the Environmental Protection Agency yesterday for the slow pace of research on pollutants that may be causing male fish in the Potomac River to grow eggs.
In a hearing before the House Government Reform Committee triggered by a news report that the abnormal fish have been discovered in new locations, Virginia and Maryland lawmakers quizzed EPA officials about why their agency hadn't yet met a requirement from 1996, which ordered them to identify chemicals that disrupt hormone systems.
Franklin County Helps to Keep the Potomac Clean & Green
The Record Herald — GREENCASTLE — Franklin County residents can do their part to help the environment one tree at a time, according to Colleen Langan with the Potomac Conservancy. Langan and other environmental groups will partner with Greencastle-Antrim School District's Tayamentasachta Environmental Center to kick off “Growing Native” on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Male Bass Across Region Found to Be Bearing Eggs
Washington Post — Abnormally developed fish, possessing both male and female characteristics, have been discovered in the Potomac River in the District and in tributaries across the region, federal scientists say -- raising alarms that the river is tainted by pollution that drives hormone systems haywire.
The fish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, are naturally males but for some reason are developing immature eggs inside their sex organs. Their discovery at such widely spread sites, including one just upstream from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, seems to show that the Potomac's problem with "intersex" fish extends far beyond the West Virginia stream where they were first found in 2003.
Boathouse Could Face Additional Setbacks
The Hoya.com — In spite of a favorable environmental assessment issued in April by the National Park Service, several neighborhood groups remain opposed to the university’s planned construction along the Potomac River and are appealing for additional study.
The assessment found that the preferred design for the boathouse, which calls for an 18,682-square-foot structure not exceeding 36 feet 6 inches, would cause a light-to-moderate environmental impact.
But Matthew Logan, president of the Potomac Conservancy, said in a letter to NPS written in June that the EA did not fully address the potential negative effects the boathouse could have on the quality and flow of water in the Potomac, and requested a more detailed report.
State Warns of Algae Blooms on Potomac River
WTOP.com — ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland environmental and health officials are warning people to avoid portions of the Potomac River where heavy blue-green algae blooms have been spotted.
The warning affects portions of the river between Smith Point and Piscataway Creek in Prince George's and Charles counties. The naturally occurring algae blooms that appear in tidal freshwater can cause illness if ingested, although no cases have been reported in humans or animals. Samples are being tested to determine if the blooms are toxic.
The State Journal —Samples taken from fish kills on the South Branch of the Potomac River in May are providing new clues in the several-year-old mystery of poor fish health in some Potomac tributaries.
Redhorse suckers and hogsuckers began turning up dead in the lower reaches of the South Branch, below Moorefield, in mid-May, according to Bret Preston, assistant chief of the state Division of Natural Resources wildlife resources section.
The Communications Manager is responsible for implementing all facets of the communications program in support of Potomac Conservancy’s mission, including publications, websites, and media relations. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits.
Manager of Institutional Giving
Working with a team of development and conservation professionals, the Manager of Institutional Giving will oversee the Conservancy’s efforts to raise funds from private foundations, corporations, organizations, and government entities. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits.
Recreation Program Coordinator
The Recreation Program Coordinator position is critical to the Conservancy’s mission of protecting the health, beauty, and enjoyment of the Potomac River and its tributaries. The Coordinator will be responsible for helping to build a new program to expand and enhance river-based recreational opportunities in the Potomac watershed, particularly those that are consistent with the Conservancy’s other priorities on water quality and scenic beauty. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits.
Hassle-Free Workplace Giving
If your company conducts an annual United Way Campaign, participating is a no-hassle way for you to support Potomac Conservancy's efforts to protect the rivers and streams you care about. Simply take part by selecting designation #8158.
If you are a government employee, participate in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) of the National Capital Area and choose designation #8158. Virginia state employees can take part in the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) by selecting a different code, #8218, for Potomac Conservancy.
United Way, CFC, and CVC are conducted September through December and provide a convenient approach to giving through monthly payroll deductions.
Select United
Way/CFC #8158 and CVC #8218 today!
RiverUpdate
is an e-newsletter for Potomac Conservancy supporters. It provides
information on the Conservancy's volunteer activities and river-related
events. |
