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
Remember to |
Growing Demand
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- Historic American Landscape Survey Focus Group Meeting - Nov. 9
- Growing Demand for Green Landscaping Workshop - November 16
- Frederick County Landowner Workshop - November 18
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 these opportunities. Contact: Potomac Conservancy at info@potomac.org. |
Potomac Conservancy Interships
Potomac Conservancy seeks highly motivated individuals interested in interning for a professional conservation organization in winter 2006/spring 2007. Opportunities are available in Communications, Policy, Finance, and Restoration.
Interns will work directly with Conservancy staff and will assume independent responsibility for substantive projects. Applicants should demonstrate maturity, strong verbal and written communication skills, an ability to work independently, a high degree of organization, and a commitment to the Potomac Conservancy's mission.
The duration and time requirements for each internship opportunity vary. A minimum commitment of 16 hours per week for 8-10 weeks is preferred. Limited stipends may be available on a competitive basis.
To apply for a Potomac Conservancy internship, send a resume and cover letter describing your interest and experience to info@potomac.org.
Thursday,
6:00 pm |
Historic American Landscape Survey Focus Group Meeting The Potomac Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and Virginia Tech will be hosting a focus group to discuss regional threatened or endangered landscapes as part of the Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS). Each Chapter will produce a two-page presentation which will be used to lobby senators and representatives to pass legislation to fund HALS initiatives. The focus group will discuss two themes:
For more information click here or email Paul Kelsch. |
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Thursday, 10am 'til 3pm Registration required by November 10th |
Growing Demand for Green Landscaping Workshop Learn about conservation landscaping techniques and the emerging native plant market. Regional experts will discuss the benefits of native plants, rain gardens, fire-resistant plants and water-efficient plants. Professional landscapers, planners, gardeners and those interested in advanced conservation landscaping techniques are encouraged to attend. Follow this link to download the complete workshop schedule. Registration is required by November 10th. Click here to download the registration form. For more information, please email Kelly McDaniel, Conservation Program Assistant, or call 540.667.3606. This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Agua Fund, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Potomac Watershed Partnership. |
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Saturday, 10 am 'til
1:30pm
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Frederick County Landowner Workshop Join natural resource professionals for a FREE workshop that provides efficient tools and fast advice on how to manage your property in ways that benefit our environment - whether you own acres of undeveloped forest land, a small-lot farm, or a house in the suburbs. Learn about management resources that not only are of financial benefit, but also help improve local water quality and the appearance of your property. Registration required by Thursday, November 16th. For more information and to register, please email Heather Montgomery or call 301.608.1188 x 209. |
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Speak up on November 7th!
Make your vote count on Tuesday, November 7th. The health of our environment depends on informed voters like you!
Many important environmental issues are on the ballot this year, such as Question 1 in Maryland, which would bar the state from selling public conservation lands without General Assembly approval. A yes vote will help keep public conservation lands as they are. Question 3 on Virginia ballots is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow counties, cities, and towns to provide a partial exemption from real estate taxes for new structures and improvements located in a conservation, redevelopment, or rehabilitation area. A yes vote on this question will promote infill development and urban revitalization.
Visit these websites to learn more about the issues, candidates, and how and where to vote.
- League of Conservation Voters (includes links to state chapters)
- Friends of the Earth
- Pennsylvania Conservation Voters Education League
- Vote Clean PA
Government Election Boards and Commissions:
- District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics
- Maryland State Board of Elections
- Pennsylvania Department of State – Election Information
- Virginia State Board of Elections
- West Virginia Votes – State Election Information
- United States Election Assistance Program
Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy By Potomac Conservancy!
Choose a beautiful full-color photo book for the river-lover in your life. Potomac Conservancy's Online River Bookstore offers vivid texts documenting the colorful wildlife and beauty of the Potomac Watershed.
Our selection includes Wild Washington: Amazing Wildlife in and Around Our Nation's Capital by Don Chernoff, featuring 108 pages of brilliant photographs of birds, insects, and other creatures that call the DC area home.
Our Potomac: From Great Falls through Washington, DC by Roy Sewall will take you on an awe-inspiring journey of this stretch of the river like no book before. Featuring 216 full-color photos, Our Potomac captures the river’s transformation from raging falls to an idyllic backdrop for Washington’s greatest monuments. By ordering online through Potomac Conservancy, you can get a copy of Our Potomac at a 20% discount!
Order one of these books online and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Potomac Conservancy.
Order today, while supplies last!
Kaine Authorizes Additional Funds to Research Shenandoah Fish Kills
TIMES COMMUNITY.COM — Timothy M. Kaine today announced up to $150,000 in additional funding to support a scientific investigation into the cause of devastating fish kills which have occurred in the Shenandoah River since 2004. The governor made the announcement at a meeting with the Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force at Andy Guest Shenandoah River State Park. More>>>
Why the Oak Trees Are Going Nuts Our Fall of Acorns
By Adrian Higgins Washington Post Staff Writer
If an acorn falls in a forest, does it make a sound? Who cares?
When it falls in the urban forest, however, it can drive you nuts. Ask Karen Stewart, who has spent the fall crushing acorns with her car, slipping on them on her patio and generally feeling under siege from the seven old white oaks that tower above her North Arlington rambler. As if exacting some terrible revenge against humankind, the seven giants are raining nuts night and day on her roof, her skylights, her gutters, even on her dog, Cleo. Untold thousands have fallen in the past month. More>>>
‘Great News’ For The River With Infusion Of State Cash, Fish Kill Task Force Eyes New Methods
By Dan Kipperman DAILY-NEWS RECORD ONLINE
HARRISONBURG — Members of the Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force are searching for new ways to determine the cause of kills that have plagued the river over the last three years.
Don Kain, co-chairman of the task force, said new investigation techniques could include increased monitoring and the use of "virtual fish" throughout the river.
On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Kaine authorized an additional $150,000 to keep the task force going into 2007. "It’s great news," Kain said. "We’re extremely happy to have an opportunity to continue the work that we’ve been doing. More>>>
The Potomac Conservancy is undertaking a search for president and CEO. The search will be conducted by executive search firm Slesinger Management Services. The complete job announcement, including application instructions, will be posted in early November at www.SlesingerManagement.com. All inquiries, recommendations, and applications should go directly to the search firm.
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!
Make a Wish Come True!
Potomac Conservancy’s wish list includes the following new or gently used items. Your donation will help us reach our conservation goals while channeling more of our financial contributions directly to projects.
- An electric typewriter for grant applications
- Several fire-safe filing cabinets or safes for important documents
- Tools for restoration projects, including loppers, small hand-saws and pruning shears
- Large metal shelving units to help organize our storage space
- A paper shredder for destroying sensitive documents
We are also seeking a volunteer to sew a new costume for our Growing Native acorn mascot.
To learn more about our wish list and how you can help, contact Monica at 301.608.1188 x201 or info@potomac.org.
RiverUpdate
is an e-newsletter for Potomac Conservancy supporters. It provides
information on the Conservancy's volunteer activities and river-related
events. |
