West and Rhode Riverkeeper

After 100 days on the job, I can honestly say that I have never been more excited in my life. Every day I'm awash with the beauty of these rivers -- the eagles, geese, osprey, diving ducks -- there are even bluebirds that hang around outside my office window just in case I'm ever tempted to succumb to glumness. 

 

But most of all, I continue to be more and more amazed as this astonishing opportunity I've inherited from Chris Trumbauer. I get to see his projects and visions come to life through this organization's volunteers, board of directors and most of all, the dedicated staff who make miracles happen every day. 

 

Just this past week, I got wet, cold and muddy along with 300 sixth graders from Southern Middle School, planting 300 trees on two acres of hillside to create a forest buffer between the Camp Letts horse pasture and the banks of the Rhode River. 

 

Thanks to the hard work of our Restoration Coordinator Joe Ports, our Chesapeake Conservation Corps volunteer Sam Hartman, and our Program Coordinator Amy Colhoun, we partnered with the crew of Camp Letts and Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center to create not just a new forest, but also 300 new stewards of the Bay. 

 

Take a look at this slide show and see the mud on these hands and faces and the look of joy in these eyes. These same eyes will see a Bay that's swimmable and fishable, with water clean and clear enough to count the crabs and oysters thriving on the grassy bottoms of the Rhode and West Rivers. These kids are the true riverkeepers. I just enjoy the privilege of working with them, with this great team and with all the many partners who so whole-heartedly support our collective mission.

 

We've got some excitement planned for the next 100 days as well. Check out the spring events page and come out with us and pick up trash along Muddy Creek Road or at Hot Sox Field in Galesville, spread some mulch at the Carrie Weedon Center or explore the watersheds by bike on the Ride for the Rivers in May. But certainly bring the family to Discovery Village for the River Fest in June. 

 

There are lots of ways to catch the excitement and see what fun you can have making a big difference for these beautiful rivers we hold so dear. Can't wait to share that with you.