Joe Ports, who has served as the Riverkeeper’s Restoration Coordinator for the past three years, will be moving on at the end of July to join Anne Arundel County’s Watershed Protections and Restoration program. Will Saffell has joined the Riverkeeper staff to manage restoration projects.

“Joe’s presence on the Riverkeeper staff has helped transform the organization, added a new dimension and capabilities, and given us greater visibility and recognition in the community through the various projects that Joe has supervised,” said Riverkeeper Board Chairman John Wyss. “He’s been a great ambassador to the local schools and environmental groups.” 

Joe spent a lot of his childhood visiting with his grandparents on Middle River, where he developed a love for the Chesapeake Bay. He graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Environmental Science in 2011.

Joe started his work with the Riverkeeper in August of 2011 as a member of the Chesapeake Conservation Corps volunteer, thanks to a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust. He proved his worth during that volunteer year, and was hired as Restoration Coordinator. He supervised the Riverkeeper’s water quality monitoring program and managed restoration projects like the horse pasture reforestation project at Camp Letts than won the Melanie Teems Award from the Chesapeake Bay Trust this year.

Will Saffell will be taking on Joe’s projects. Like Joe, Will worked with the Riverkeeper as a Chesapeake Conservation Corps volunteer program.

He graduated from Towson University with a bachelor's degree in both Biology and Environmental Science.

He will supervise the Riverkeeper’s water quality monitoring program and manage ongoing restoration projects like new stormwater treatment installations at the Avalon Shores Fire Station in Shady Side and the Holly Hill Harbor community in Edgewater, and a streambed restoration project on the upper reaches of the middle branch of Muddy Creek. When not working, Will enjoys kayaking, sailing, fishing, snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, traveling, and live music.