We have issued our annual report card, and I’ve got good news. The grades for water quality are up significantly, which means we’re making progress as the only citizen-based environmental organization dedicated solely to protecting our rivers - the West and Rhode Rivers. We did not print our report card this year, but have published it here digitally as a PDF to save paper, ink and funds. The are links embedded throughout that allow you to dealve into issues in further detail.
The results are an overall “C,” up from a “D+” last year and a “D” the year before. We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re heading in the right direction, thanks to your support.
Here’s what we’ve been doing over the past year to have this positive impact:
- completed a living shoreline at Camp Letts and watched horseshoe crabs crawl up the new beach to lay their eggs in this recreated habitat;
- worked with kids and families to plant trees and marsh grasses;
- coordinated park and community clean-ups;
- provided pump-out service to more than 500 recreational boats, safely disposing of 15,000 gallons of raw sewage that did not pollute our rivers.
- And Franklin Point State Park is now open, with a new interpretive hiking trail, a kayak launch and day use amenities, a 477-acre gem of a opportunity for public access to our waterways.
We can’t do all this work without your financial support. We do not receive any direct operating funds from the county, state or federal governments. We rely on donations from supporters like you and grants from foundations for day-to- day operations.
Restoration projects are funded by grants from other agencies, but these projects wouldn’t ever get done without the professional supervision we supply through your support.
And all of our work, in partnership with all the other organizations working throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, is having a positive impact, as shown in the grade trends. I hope we can count on your support for our work this year.
We are part of the Mid-Atlantic Tributary Coalition (MTAC). To see the assessment methods we used, see MTAC's Sampling and Data Analysis Protocols.
Many thanks to the sponsors of this year's Report Card: Smith Brothers, Rhode River Marina, Chesapeake Yacht Club, Straughan Environmental, TriState Marine, Chalk Point Marina, and Hartge Yacht Yard.
Previous years' report cards:
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2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
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2013 |
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2014 |
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In 2012, we also conducted Focus Group research to improve our Report Card and evaluate what can make it even more effective. This research is useful to any organization that publishes a Report Card, or is considering it. Click HERE for the final report.
Reports from previous years may be seen by clicking on the links below:
2008 State of the Rivers Report (PDF)
2007 State of the Rivers Report (PDF)
