NOW HIRING: Community Engagement Coordinator (temporary)

ShoreRivers is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator for a temporary position. In this 13-month position, the Community Engagement Coordinator joins an environmental nonprofit organization with 30+ professionals. Employees work in person with the capacity for flexibility in their schedule when appropriate. The Coordinator will manage ShoreRivers’ volunteer programs that support our efforts to achieve our vision of thriving waterways cherished by all communities on the Eastern Shore. As part of the Community Engagement Department, the Coordinator will help develop and maintain a strong and diverse ambassador base for clean water work, mobilize grassroots behavior change, and inspire civic engagement. The ideal candidate will be an energetic, outgoing individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills.

The Coordinator reports to the Director of Community Engagement and works out of both our Chestertown and Easton offices, and the employee must live within the watersheds in which we work. This is a full-time position; the employee must be flexible to work weekends, evenings, longer hours, and to travel when necessary. The position is exempt salaried and “at-will.”

This position offers a competitive benefits package (see more below) and an annual salary range between $47,000–$49,000 based on experience. Position begins in September 2026.

To apply, send your two-page resume and one-page cover letter to Doug Mayorga at dmayorga@shorerivers.org by May 18, 2026. In your cover letter*, please tell us about an experience you've had that will help shape your work as a coordinator of volunteers.

*Note: Cover letters are run through an AI generator; take this opportunity to authentically communicate with us in your own words. Applications with resumes over two pages or cover letters over one page will not be considered.

Responsibilities

  • Manage and support volunteer programs: Programs include our Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Watchers; Oyster Keepers; Tree Stewards; SwimTesters bacteria monitoring; Advocacy Volunteers; River Friendly Yards; Tree the Shore; and annual Project Clean Stream trash pickups. Tasks include organizing events, recruiting and training new volunteers, and regularly communicating with volunteer groups through emails and phone calls. In addition, the position calls for input on grant writing proposals and, if awarded, project management.

  • Onboard new volunteers and engage active volunteers: Conduct monthly volunteer onboarding calls; host annual volunteer socials. Collaborate across all departments to develop and execute volunteer and engagement opportunities.

  • Environmental Justice: Support logistics and facilitation of the Environmental Justice work group in partnership with the Directors of Community Engagement, Human Resources and Culture; support community partnership building; attend Environmental and Racial Justice coalition meetings.

  • Assist with ShoreRivers’ Expeditions: Support the planning and hosting of ShoreRivers’ series of free events that connect community members with our watershed.

  • Communication/social media: Create clear and timely volunteer and membership communications through our web-based system; sit on the social media committee and lead social media efforts for the Community Engagement department.

  • Support all departments’ community engagement efforts: Connect our volunteers with opportunities in our other programs, such as restoration plantings, school field trips, volunteering on a Riverkeeper boat, and other cross-departmental collaborations. Represent ShoreRivers at occasional community events and meetings.

position requirements and qualifications

The employee must have a strong commitment to environmental protection and to ShoreRivers’ mission and values.

Experience & Education

  • A minimum of an Associate’s degree or relevant work or internship experiences.

  • Curiosity about environmental issues that affect water quality, our environment, and communities.

Skills & Abilities

  • Strong interpersonal skills and a love of connecting with people.

  • Good written and oral communication skills.

  • Excellent organization and time management skills.

  • Ability to work as a team player and collaborate effectively.

  • Ability to work independently, take initiative, and creatively grow programs.

  • Must have or be willing to acquire comfort and proficiency around the water.

  • MS Office and Google Workspace skills, including Excel and PowerPoint, a plus.

  • Comfort with virtual/Google meetings preferred.

  • Experience with Adobe design suite, Canva, or other design software is a plus.

About ShoreRivers

ShoreRivers seeks to protect Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement. We have a dedicated staff of Riverkeepers, educators, scientists, restoration specialists, and advocates focused on policies and projects that will improve the health of our rivers. Our staff are a strong, collective voice for Eastern Shore waterways.

ShoreRivers believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our staff, board, supporters, and programs is critical to achieving our mission of clean water. We believe that access to waterways fuels environmental stewardship; inclusion of diverse communities is essential to long term success; and diverse representation in our membership, staff, and board makes us stronger.

ShoreRivers believes that swimmable, fishable, clean, and safe rivers are for everyone in our communities. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome all applicants. This position uses a wide variety of skills; we encourage you to apply if you think you would be a good fit, even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications.

working at shorerivers

ShoreRivers offers an energetic and fast-paced work environment with bright, fun coworkers. We cultivate a supportive, regenerative work culture where hard work, innovation, collaboration, and professional development are priorities. 

We are dedicated to providing flexibility and a genuine work-life balance for all staff, in addition to meeting our mission and serving our communities responsibly as a nonprofit organization. As such, ShoreRivers operates in person with a flexible schedule; occasional remote work is supported in alignment with individual responsibilities and supervisors.  

BENEFITS

  • Medical coverage, with 100% of base plan premiums for the employee covered by ShoreRivers.

  • Retirement plan, with ShoreRivers matching up to 4% of an employee’s salary when eligible.

  • 25 paid days off for all employees.

  • 11 paid federal holidays, plus the week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day (17 paid holidays total).

  • Professional development opportunities.

Youth Environmental Action Summit Celebrates Five Years of Inspiration

ShoreRivers’ 2026 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit had more than 180 students and 20 teachers in attendance from 10 different schools. Photo by Tom McCall.

Last month, 200 high school students and teachers from Kent, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Dorchester counties gathered at Chesapeake College for ShoreRivers’ annual Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. This year marked a special milestone as it was the fifth year that this high school conference was held.  

Student Leaders pose in a crab pot photo booth at the 2026 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. Top row, left to right are: Ava Collins, Elena Szwaja, Patrick Goeller, Carter Roberts, Mai Pham, and Gabby Smith. Bottom row, left to right are: Madison Caporin, Souhaila Doutoum, Emma Francis, Kaylie Dunlap, Skye Lizmi, and Allison Gonzalez-Jimenez. Photo by Tom McCall.

This annual Summit inspires youth to take environmental action in their communities, explore environmental careers, and network with peers and professionals across our communities. ShoreRivers’ work to protect Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement is strengthened when youth voices are uplifted. This event helps students understand that they don’t have to wait to get involved on behalf of their local waterways. One attendee even remarked that, “the Summit has provided me with a handful of opportunities to take action in my community such as potential internships, and I have walked away from the Summit with new friends.” 

A student checks out a snake while talking to Mary Helen, Pickering Creek’s Director of Education, about its Junior Naturalist program at the networking breakfast portion of the 2026 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. Photo by Tom McCall.

An exciting element of ShoreRivers’ annual Summit is the Student Leaders program — a cohort of students from different school districts who help make this an event for students and by students. This year’s Student Leaders hosted hands-on workshops, tabled at the networking breakfast, and made welcome and closing speeches at the event.

The networking breakfast kicked off the day with 20 community organizations offering students internships, volunteer opportunities, scholarships, and grants for action. Students then attended afternoon workshops led by their peers and professionals representing a variety of careers. Workshop highlights included learning how to filet an invasive blue catfish with the Maryland Coastal Conservation Association, water color nature journaling with Chesapeake Bay author and artist Kate Livie, and learning how climate change and extreme heat are impacting our communities with Dorchester County Health Department. One teacher described the impact of this event on their students, saying “several of my graduates who attended the Summit incorporated science into their future plans. These opportunities, interactions, and experiences leave a mark on our students.”   

ShoreRivers is grateful for this year’s Summit sponsors: Maryland Agricultural Education & Rural Development Assistance Fund, The Campbell Foundation, Dockray Charitable Foundation, The Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation, Waterfowl Festival, RBC Wealth Management, The Henry Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Trust, and Molly’s Place.

What We Can’t See Is Hurting Maryland’s Waters

Maryland is grappling with a serious but largely invisible source of water pollution — and this week, the Maryland Senate is allowing a critical opportunity to better manage failing septic systems slip out of reach. In the aftermath of Senate floor discussions about important septic legislation, some lawmakers questioned whether pollution from septic systems is truly a problem — framing it as overblown, or even suggesting that septic systems are a simple, well-understood infrastructure that don't warrant additional scrutiny — and have made an attempt to heavily amended legislation that would effectively eliminate its original intent.  

We — ShoreRivers, Arundel Rivers Federation, and Clean Water Action — want to be clear: this is a big problem, one that needs action. That's exactly what Senator Brooks’ Senate Bill 165 in its original form had sought to do, along with its companion House Bill 146, led by the indomitable Vice Chair Guyton, which passed earlier this Session by the House of Delegates.

SB165/HB146 requires septic system inspections and pumping when a home is sold or when a tenant turns over in a rental property. An inspection is valid for three years in most cases — and up to five years in some — providing flexibility while formalizing what health departments have recommended for decades, and what some counties, like Queen Anne’s, already require. The bill does not attempt to impose a one-size-fits-all standard. Septic systems vary widely, and the legislation rightly directs the Maryland Department of the Environment to work with industry professionals to develop those technical details through regulation.

The data makes it clear that septic pollution is significant statewide. The EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program model reveals that in 17 out of Maryland’s 24 counties, nitrogen pollution from septic systems now exceeds the nitrogen discharged by municipal wastewater treatment plants. Nitrogen is the leading driver of algae blooms that rob our rivers of oxygen, suffocate aquatic life, and degrade the health of our iconic waterways. According to the Maryland Department of the Environment’s 2024 Integrated Report of Surface Water Quality, there were 52 new fecal bacteria impairments in the state, which specifically impacted shellfish harvesting and swimming beaches. Failing shoreline septics are often linked to high bacterial concentrations, especially in rural areas.

There’s also a persistent misconception that septic pollution is only a concern in the Critical Area. Roughly 70% of the nitrogen in our waterways comes from groundwater — which septic systems far beyond the shoreline are contributing to — as excess nitrogen travels underground, eventually entering our rivers and streams. 

While Maryland has been a national leader in adopting Best Available Technology (BAT) septic systems, innovation alone has not solved the problem. BAT systems are only required in limited circumstances, not statewide. And even where they are installed, without regular inspection and maintenance, BAT systems can function no better than conventional systems.

The risks aren’t only environmental. Research from the University of Maryland has found significant links between high densities of septic systems in floodplains and increased rates of infections from pathogens like Campylobacter and Salmonella. In other words, failing systems can contaminate drinking water wells and expose people to serious illness.

And septic systems fail more often than many people realize. Age, shifting soil conditions, compromised drainfields, and increasingly frequent flood events and rising water tables all take their toll. Without regular inspections, these failures can go undetected for years, quietly increasing pollution loads and public health risks. According to a water advocacy report in Michigan, two counties found 1,000 failed septic tanks and 300 homes without any septic system at all in the first six years of implementing a similar ordinance.

In the final days and hours of this session, Vice Chair Guyton continues to work toward a solution that reinstates the original intent of this important bill. We call upon Senators to support this effort. Regular inspections of this vital appliance are necessary to protect our health and environment. 

SB165/HB146 acknowledges a problem that has long been affecting our waterways and our health — and takes reasonable, science-based steps to address it. Maryland has made significant progress in cleaning up its waters over the past several decades, but ignoring septic pollution because it’s “out of sight" risks halting that progress. If we are serious about restoring our rivers and protecting the communities and economies that rely on them, we can’t afford to look the other way. 

Elle Bassett, Annie Richards, and Emily Ranson

Elle Bassett is the South, West, Rhode Riverkeeper for Arundel Rivers Federation. Annie Richards is the Chester Riverkeeper for ShoreRivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Emily Ranson is the Chesapeake Director for Clean Water Action.

ShoreRivers Awarded Grants to Expand Free Watershed Discovery Expedition Offerings

Thanks to grant funding from the National Park Service and the Chesapeake Bay Trust, ShoreRivers will be able to offer all of this year’s Watershed Discovery Expeditions at no charge. Expeditions are immersive, small-group experiences that can be anything from a kayak on a local creek to a tour exploring history or ecology — and anything in between! For a full list of offerings, and to register, visit shorerivers.org/events.

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce that it has been awarded grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the National Park Service through its Chesapeake Gateways Program to expand and fully fund its Watershed Discovery Expeditions program. These awards will allow ShoreRivers to collaborate with more than 15 regional partners to offer immersive, mission-driven expeditions to communities across Maryland’s Eastern Shore at no cost to the participants.

As part of this expanded vision, ShoreRivers is deepening collaboration with its equity partners, including the Bellevue Passage Museum, Kennard African American Cultural Heritage Center, and the Harriet Tubman Freedom Center. These partnerships elevate the impact of each organization’s work while drawing on their specialized expertise to illuminate the cultural histories and perspectives that shape our shared connection to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

ShoreRivers is also partnering with regional hospitality leaders to highlight the connection between eco-recreation, economic vitality, and clean water. Collaborations with Kent Island Resort; the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina; Chesapeake Water Tours; and River City Cruise Co. demonstrate how healthy waterways sustain tourism, support local businesses, and provide meaningful public access to our rivers.  

In addition to public offerings, ShoreRivers will customize select expeditions for community groups that may not otherwise have access to on-the-water experiences, expanding engagement across diverse audiences. These partners include Minary’s Dream Alliance, Defensores de la Cuenca, and International Families of Talbot County Public Schools.

“Our Watershed Discovery Expeditions have become one of ShoreRivers’ most meaningful ways to connect with our community and with local partners, providing small-group, hands-on access to our waterways through immersive experiences that reflect our mission to protect and restore our rivers,” said Maegan White, Senior Community Engagement Coordinator. “We at ShoreRivers believe that access to waterways fuels environmental stewardship and that inclusion of diverse communities is essential to long-term success, and thanks to this generous funding we’re now able to make sure our expeditions better reflect that vision.”  

Each of these expeditions will highlight the history, ecology, and cultural heritage of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Programs include tracing the water routes of Harriet Tubman, exploring the oyster fishery aboard a traditional skipjack, learning about underwater grasses and water quality, observing nesting ospreys, and paddling through accessible town centers to explore the connections between waterways, commerce, and recreation. Many are free and open to the public, though advance registration is required. A full schedule and registration details can be found at shorerivers.org/events.

NPS Chesapeake Gateways offers competitive grant opportunities to advance the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 within the full 41-million-acre Chesapeake Bay watershed. Chesapeake Gateways grants inspire and help people discover, experience, and connect with Chesapeake Places and Experiences across its rivers, landscapes, and communities to enhance stewardship, heritage, and outdoor tourism economies throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

CBT is a nonprofit, grant-making organization dedicated to improving the bays, streams, rivers, forests, parks, and other natural resources of our local systems, from the Chesapeake to the Coastal Bays to the Youghiogheny River. Since 1985, the Trust has awarded over $190 million in grants to municipalities, nonprofit organizations, schools, and public agencies throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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An Open Letter to Our Rivers

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Photo by Bob Atlas

Dear Rivers,

These are challenging times for those of us who love and depend on you. Across the country, long-standing environmental protections are being weakened or rolled back. A new federal definition of Waters of the United States, currently being ruled on by the federal government, threatens to leave more of your streams and wetlands unprotected. The Endangered Species Act — one of our most effective conservation tools — faces pressure to narrow the scope of critical habitat areas and weaken protections for important species like the Atlantic sturgeon. Federal safeguards against toxic PFAS in biosolids and sewage sludge are being rolled back, despite growing evidence of the harm these chemicals have on human health and ecosystems here on the Eastern Shore. Meanwhile, Maryland is grappling with large perennial budget deficits that threaten critical clean-water programs. It can feel, at times, like the tide is turning against the rivers that sustain us.

But here’s what we want you to know: you are not facing this moment alone.

Across the Eastern Shore, a committed community led by your local Riverkeepers is standing up for you. When a wastewater discharge threatened local waters, we showed up in force at a local chemical company’s permit hearing to demand accountability. Our volunteer advocacy program continues to grow, empowering residents to speak up for the rivers they love and ensuring decision-makers hear directly from the people most affected by pollution and special interest policy. Our Swimmable ShoreRivers bacteria monitoring program (our most widely accessed public resource) witnessed a large frequency of high bacteria counts in 2025. But it also received an unprecedented amount of community support, partnership, and engagement, reinforcing how deeply people care about knowing when and where it’s safe to interact with our rivers.

We are also restoring what has been damaged. From living shorelines to agricultural best management practices, ShoreRivers continues to put solutions in the ground. This past year, ShoreRivers and Envision the Choptank were proud to receive funding from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for the Upper Choptank Whole Watershed Project, a comprehensive effort to improve water quality, habitat, and community resilience from the headwaters downstream. At the same time, our environmental education programs are reaching thousands of students across the Eastern Shore, building the next generation of river stewards who understand that clean water is not optional — it is essential.

And it is essential. Our rivers are more than scenic backdrops. They support local economies rooted in tourism, seafood, recreation, and agriculture. They provide food, jobs, and a sense of place. Our bacteria data consistently shows that pollution closes access to these benefits, shutting down swimming, limiting recreation, and threatening public health, while clean water opens doors for communities to thrive. Protecting rivers isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s an economic and quality-of-life imperative.

So, to our rivers and to the communities that depend on them: ShoreRivers will continue to stand with you. We will advocate fiercely, restore thoughtfully, educate passionately, and act locally, no matter how uncertain the broader landscape becomes. We will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with anyone willing to protect and restore the beautiful, working waters that define the Eastern Shore.

To this end, we are hosting four State of the Rivers events in your honor this spring. We hope the people who depend on and admire you will show up to them on your behalf. Each will be free and open to the public, and we will serve bounty from your waters. And we will share what the data told us about your health last year — transparently and unbiased. Anyone interested can learn more and register at shorerivers.org/events.

With resolve and deep gratitude,

Scott Budden
Executive Director, ShoreRivers

ShoreRivers Seeks Volunteers for Project Clean Stream

ShoreRivers volunteers are pictured after a successful Project Clean Stream trash pick-up event in 2024.

Join ShoreRivers the weekend of April 11 to clear trash from our roads, parks, and rivers — help protect the Bay by cleaning up your waterways!

ShoreRivers and volunteers are hosting community trash cleanups as part of Project Clean Stream, a Bay-wide trash cleanup that is organized by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and coordinated by local groups like ShoreRivers. Project Clean Stream is an opportunity for citizens across the entire watershed to work together to clean our shared water resource. Join a trash pick-up near you:

  • Saturday, April 11, at 8:30am: Galena - Fox Hole Landing

  • Saturday, April 11, at 8:45am: Kennedyville - Sassafras Natural Resource Management Area

  • Saturday, April 11, at 9am: Centreville - Centreville Wharf with Corsica River Conservancy

  • Saturday, April 11, at 10am: Kent Island - Stevensville Park and Ride with Kent Island Rotary Club

  • Saturday, April 11, at 12pm: Centreville - Millstream Park with Centreville Rotary Club

  • Saturday, April 11, at 12pm: Cambridge - Dorchester County Health Department (meet at 627 Race Street)

  • Sunday, April 12 at, 10am: Rock Hall - Eastern Neck Island Tubby Cove Board Walk

To register for the event, please email Maegan White at mwhite@shorerivers.org or visit shorerivers.org/events. ShoreRivers will provide all needed supplies. Volunteers should bring water bottles, sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable shoes. We recommend wearing long sleeves and socks to protect against ticks.

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Riverkeepers to Host Annual State of the Rivers Series

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Join ShoreRivers and your local Riverkeepers at an upcoming State of the Rivers event — free presentations held each spring to inform the public about the current state of our Eastern Shore waterways. Visit shorerivers.org/events to learn more.

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce the return of its highly anticipated State of the Rivers events — a series of free presentations held each spring to inform the public about the current state of our Eastern Shore waterways and what we can all do to protect and restore them. Whether this will be your first or your 15th State of the Rivers, we invite everyone to attend, learn, sip, and savor — and bring a friend, too!

Each year, between April­ and October, ShoreRivers’ professional Riverkeepers conduct weekly tidal sampling of more than 60 sites from Cecilton to Cambridge, then test for multiple scientific water quality parameters including dissolved oxygen, nutrient pollution, chlorophyll, and clarity. These indicators reveal the overall health of our waterways and our progress toward protecting and restoring our local rivers. ShoreRivers, statewide groups, and national agencies use this information to track trends, develop remediation strategies, advocate for stronger laws and enforcement, alert the public of potential health risks, and inform region-wide efforts toward clean water goals.

 The public is invited to learn more about the results of this testing at this year’s State of the Rivers presentations, hosted around the region by the Riverkeepers themselves. Light refreshments, including local oysters, will be provided. ShoreRivers is grateful for continued partnerships with our host venues, grant sponsorship from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, as well as the support of Donna Callejon & Deborah Whiteside, Happy Chicken Bakery & Catering, Ten Eyck Brewing Company, Choptank Oyster Company, and Total Wine. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. 

Please save these dates for this year’s State of the Rivers presentations:

In addition to analyzing water quality data and communicating this information to the public, Riverkeepers use their weekly sampling trips as an opportunity to monitor changes along shorelines, identify potential indications of illegal discharges, and scout submerged aquatic vegetation beds. These observations, coupled with the quantitative data collected throughout the year, paint a holistic and well-informed picture of the health of each river and its tributaries. Riverkeepers work collaboratively with the community and with ShoreRivers’ other program departments (including education, agriculture and restoration, and community engagement) to increase awareness of the issues, inspire behavior change, and implement practices for healthier river systems. Information on these efforts, plus data from the popular Swimmable ShoreRivers’ bacteria monitoring program, will also be shared during State of the Rivers presentations.

“ShoreRivers’ tidal and bacteria monitoring programs produce the most comprehensive datasets available for our rivers,” said Matt Pluta, ShoreRivers’ Choptank Riverkeeper and Director of Riverkeeper Programs. “Having our Riverkeepers and volunteers on the water and at public access points lets us combine rigorous data collection with a personal connection to the rivers, giving us a deeper understanding of their health and how to protect them. We invite everyone to join us at our free State of the Rivers events as an opportunity for people who care about these waterways to come together, learn what’s happening in their rivers, and be part of the work to protect them.”

This event series is free — registration is requested but not required. For more, visit shorerivers.org/events.

ShoreRivers Shares 2026 Legislative Priorities

ShoreRivers’ advocacy work is led by its four Riverkeepers: Matt Pluta, Choptank Riverkeeper; Annie Richards, Chester Riverkeeper; Ben Ford, Miles-Wye Riverkeeper; and Zack Kelleher, Sassafras Riverkeeper. Throughout this year’s legislative session, the organization will work to protect our local rivers against the major issues that impact water quality on the Eastern Shore.

Now that the Maryland General Assembly has reconvened for the 448th Legislative Session, ShoreRivers’ advocacy efforts are in full swing. The organization’s advocacy work, which is led by its Riverkeepers, is fundamental to creating system-wide change to protect local rivers against the major issues that impact water quality on the Eastern Shore.

Once again, fiscal pressures loom large this session due to a 1.5+ billion-dollar deficit facing the state, coupled with continued financial instability at the federal level. This pressure, combined with Maryland’s focus on meeting affordable housing goals, means that ShoreRivers and our members will be working hard to shine a spotlight on Eastern Shore water quality — and the policies we need to protect and restore our rivers.

Key efforts this year include the following, though additional bills and legislation are likely to be added to this list as they are introduced and prove to be in line with ShoreRivers’ mission of protecting Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement.

  1. Sewage Sludge - Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - Regulation (SB719/HB925), which will require the Maryland Department of the Environment to phase in tiered limits for PFOS plus PFOA in biosolids used as fertilizer on agricultural land, while using these safeguards to drive upstream industrial pretreatment and PFAS source reductions. PFAS are a class of “forever chemicals” that get into municipal wastewater from industries that use these chemicals and from household products that contain them. Biosolids are the waste residuals from municipal wastewater treatment plants often used as soil conditioner and fertilizer. With more than one-third of the state’s permitted land for biosolids use on the middle and upper Eastern Shore, this bill will protect Eastern Shore farmers and their farmland, rural communities, as well as our downstream rivers — and the aquatic life and seafood they produce — from PFAS contamination.  

  2. A bill to establish On–Site Sewage Disposal System inspection requirements (SB165/HB146), which will require septic systems to be inspected and pumped at a property transfer or during a change of tenant in a rental home. Reasonable exceptions apply, and an inspection and pumping service is good for three years. Currently, in 17 out of 24 Maryland counties, the nitrogen pollution from these systems now exceeds the nitrogen pollution from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Failing septic systems contribute excessive nitrogen, phosphorus, and various bacterial pollution to both groundwater systems and surface waters of the state — a threat to our natural resources and our communities. Unless regular inspections occur, failing systems can go undiagnosed for generations, increasing nutrient pollution levels in our local waterways and even contaminating adjacent wells.

  3. Defending important funding sources through budget advocacy will be another important priority for ShoreRivers this session. With a budget deficit pressuring Maryland legislators and advocates to “do more with less,” ShoreRivers is committed to defending historically beneficial environmental funds such as the Bay Restoration Fund, the 2010 Trust Fund, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, State Aided Institutions, the Clean Water Commerce Account, and the Maryland Agricultural Cost Share Program. Defending environmental funding isn’t just about restoration projects and facility upgrades, it’s also about enforcement and accountability. Maryland is a national leader in environmental protection. To ensure those laws are enforced properly, our agencies need adequate staffing and resources.

ShoreRivers is also working to support legislation that acknowledges and better plans for Maryland’s increased flood risks (HB257 and HB200), enhances protections for the Critical Area (SB178/HB258, and HB247), and enhances environmental grant funding and the inclusion of Community Ambassador support (HB254) — a concept that was developed and piloted by ShoreRivers and Envision the Choptank partners. Additionally, we have already testified in opposition to legislation that would change the permitting process for living shorelines in select counties in MD and set a dangerous precedent for state standards (SB368/HB613), as well as a bill that would allow a concentrated animal feeding operation to proceed with construction of a facility before obtaining a Clean Water Act discharge permit (SB371/HB395) To learn more about these bills and how you can be involved in protecting our rivers through Maryland’s legislative session, visit shorerivers.org/2026-legislative-session and inquire about joining our volunteer advocacy program.  

At ShoreRivers, we engage in legislative advocacy because addressing non-point source pollution — or "runoff pollution," the leading contributor of pollutants to our rivers — is often most effective by updating policies that address modern challenges and support restoration goals. By combining locally driven restoration efforts with river-friendly policies, we are encouraging the behavioral changes needed to improve land use practices and better manage the landscapes responsible for nutrient and sediment runoff. ShoreRivers looks forward to a productive legislative session working with members of the Maryland General Assembly, fellow environmental advocates, and our local communities. Visit shorerivers.org to learn more and engage with this important work.

Scott Budden Named ShoreRivers' Executive Director

Scott Budden has officially taken the reins as ShoreRivers newest Executive Director.

After an extensive search and hiring process, ShoreRivers is proud to formally announce the selection of Scott Budden as its new Executive Director.

“ShoreRivers Governing Board is thrilled with our selection of Scott Budden as the organization's new Executive Director," says Marian Fry, Chair of the Governing Board. "Scott was chosen from a robust pool of applicants based upon his skills acquired from a diverse 18-year professional background, which includes his performance as the Deputy Director of Finance at ShoreRivers. His undeniable talent and deep familiarity with our organization and our communities are the perfect combination to lead ShoreRivers into its next chapter. We wish him well, and can't wait to see how he takes on the role.”

Scott Budden was raised in Chestertown, MD, on the banks of Langford Creek. He attended Kent County Public Schools before graduating from Bucknell University in 2007 with a double major in Economics and International Relations and a minor in Spanish. After a 10-year stint in Washington, DC, as a corporate financial analyst for The Atlantic and Booz Allen Hamilton, he founded an oyster farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 2015. Within a decade, he helped scale Orchard Point Oyster Co. to a nationally distributed brand.

With his passion for aquaculture and familiarity with both the business and non-profit worlds, Budden is a natural fit for ShoreRivers. He is a past appointee to the Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council and the Maryland Tidal Fish Advisory Commission, and has served on board and committees for non-profits like the Chester River Association (a ShoreRivers’ legacy organization), Oyster Recovery Partnership, Chesapeake Oyster Alliance, Maryland Sea Grant, and Washington College’s Innovation Plant.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization that has meant so much to me — both personally and professionally — for years. To be at a helm that has been deftly steered by previous executive directors is a privilege," says Budden. "Our rivers hold different meanings for each of us. For me, they represent our shared cultural history and, thanks to the continued work of ShoreRivers, and our generous funders and partner organizations, their future is in good hands."

ShoreRivers is also wishing the fondest of farewells to outgoing Executive Director Isabel Hardesty, who has been with the organization for 14 years — five of which have been as its leader. During her tenure, the organization saw a significant growth period, with a 48% growth in staff and 68% growth in revenue. With this increase in capacity and investment, ShoreRivers has solidified its reputation as the community-centered and solutions-oriented voice for clean water on the Eastern Shore. Leading a culture of trust, transparency, and tenacity will be a lasting hallmark of her service to ShoreRivers and the communities it serves.

"In addition to being knowledgeable and capable, Scott has an incredible combination of genuine kindness and determination. He knows our communities, he loves these rivers, and he will lead ShoreRivers with compassion, integrity, and focus,” said Hardesty. “After working closely with Scott for over a year, and knowing him personally for over a decade, I’m confident that I'm leaving ShoreRivers in the right hands.”

ShoreRivers Accepts Summer Internship Applications

ShoreRivers’ 2025 summer interns gained hands-on experience in everything from soil sampling in farm fields to processing submerged aquatic vegetation using ShoreRivers’ turbulator. To learn more about what type of projects you’ll take on as a summer intern, visit shorerivers.org/jobs.

ShoreRivers is currently accepting applications from college students and recent graduates for two Easton-based summer internships: its Elizabeth Brown Memorial Internship and a Communications Internship.

The Elizabeth Brown Memorial intern will gain experience in a variety of activities including restoration, scientific water quality monitoring, outreach, and enforcement, while the communications intern will focus on organizational communication, public relations, and event promotion. By the end of these internships, each will have completed a Maryland boater safety certificate, gained experience and training in scientific water quality monitoring equipment and protocols, and developed a variety of other skills and experiences. Visit shorerivers.org/jobs for complete job descriptions.

“My time at ShoreRivers taught me that I didn’t have to give up different parts of myself. ShoreRivers is a beautiful example of the way that integration between different aspects of environmentalism (education, science, policy, community, etc.) and close collaboration between experts in different fields can create greater change than any one area of expertise could,” said Sophie Leight, ShoreRivers’ 2024 Elizabeth Brown Memorial Intern. “I was blown away by the breadth of knowledge that existed within the organization and know now that I’d like to be a part of a similar community in my career.”

The Elizabeth Brown Memorial Internship is supported by the Elizabeth Brown Memorial Fund at ShoreRivers. Elizabeth Brown was ShoreRivers' 2015–2016 Chesapeake Conservation Corps member. She was dedicated to clean water, engaging others with their rivers, and serving as an environmental steward in every way. She brought enthusiasm and joy to every task. Contributions in honor of Elizabeth go toward her legacy of caring for local rivers by supporting the next generation of environmental stewards through this internship program.

Both the Elizabeth Brown Memorial Internship and a Communications Summer Internship run for a minimum of 10 weeks between May and August, and provide a $6,000 stipend. Programmatic work for each will be conducted primarily in the Choptank, Miles, and Wye river watersheds, with some travel throughout the entire ShoreRivers region.

Applicants should be rising college juniors or seniors, or recent college graduates, with majors in appropriate fields. To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to Doug Mayorga, Deputy Director of HR and Culture, by January 31, at dmayorga@shorerivers.org and include in the subject line which internship you are interested in. Interviews will be conducted by Zoom in February and an intern will be selected and notified at the end of the month.

Applicants are encouraged to visit shorerivers.org prior to applying to learn more about the organization’s programs. Internships available specifically for Washington College and University of Delaware students are also available — please visit shorerivers.org/jobs for details on those positions.

Masterman Joins ShoreRivers' Governing Board

From left, ShoreRivers’ Executive Committee for 2026 will consist of Frank Lewis, Treasurer; Marian Fry, Previous Chair; Gene Lopez, Vice Chair; Barbara Lamp, Chair; and Maura Bollinger, Secretary.

ShoreRivers is happy to welcome real estate consultant and lifelong sailor Steve Masterman to its Governing Board.

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce the addition of new member Steve Masterman to its Governing Board. As a grassroots nonprofit organization, the hard work and support of board members is imperative to the organization’s efforts for thriving rivers on the Eastern Shore.

A lifelong sailor on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, Steve Masterman brings to the board expertise in negotiation and property rights thanks to his career as a real estate consultant for large national and international companies. He is passionate about oyster restoration and has been a long-time ShoreRivers volunteer, supporter, and member of the Choptank Riverkeeper Committee. He currently lives on Broad Creek in St. Michaels with his wife, Pamela.

“I have found that ShoreRivers has a uniquely effective combination of science- based data and information, on-the-water presence’ and legislative savvy,” said Masterman. “I believe there are solutions to many of the challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay, and that this organization could play a key role in those solutions.”

In addition to welcoming its newest member, the board also recently elected its Executive Committee for 2026, which consists of Barbara Lamp, Chair; Gene Lopez, Vice Chair; Frank Lewis, Treasurer; Maura Bollinger, Secretary, and Marian Fry, Previous Chair.

ShoreRivers also celebrated two long-time board members whose terms end this year: Katie Wiacek and Jill Bible. The organization is incredibly grateful to each of them for their years of dedicated service and invaluable contributions.

ShoreRivers extends deep gratitude for the wise counsel, encouragement, and vision of these exceptional community members. See a full list of Board members at ShoreRivers.org/leadership.

Junkin Recognized as CFO of the Year

From left — Isabel Hardesty, ShoreRivers’ Executive Director; Tim Junkin, founder of one of ShoreRivers’ legacy organization and its former Executive Director; Kristin Junkin, ShoreRivers’ Director of Operations & Finance; and Scott Budden, ShoreRivers’ Deputy Director of Finance — are pictured at the Nonprofit CFO of the Year Awards in Washington, D.C., earlier this month, where Kristin Junkin was honored as the group’s 2025 Philanthropic CFO of the Year.

ShoreRivers is proud to announce that Kristin Junkin — the organization’s Director of Operations & Finance and a founder of one of its legacy organizations — was recognized at the Nonprofit CFO of the Year Awards, an event recognizing excellence in nonprofit financial leadership, during its annual reception on October 8.

The annual Nonprofit CFO Awards honor exceptional financial executives whose vision, operational excellence, and leadership have made a significant impact on the missions and sustainability of nonprofit organizations. Junkin was honored as the group’s 2025 Philanthropic CFO of the Year for her fiscal leadership, her key role in expanding ShoreRivers’ profile in the environmental restoration industry, and her meticulous oversight of the organization’s finances, grant work, and general operations.

“Whether it is through dogged perseverance, or working creatively with both public and private partners to accomplish goals of financial viability and improved water quality, Kristin is a shining example of how someone can serve as a catalyst for action,” said ShoreRivers’ Executive Director Isabel Hardesty. “She has been a driving force in sustaining and growing funding for ShoreRivers, and key to ensuring all grants and donations are stewarded in the best possible way for our Eastern Shore rivers and creeks. We’re eternally grateful for her leadership and hard work.”  

Under Junkin’s financial leadership, ShoreRivers has grown since 2018 from $3.9M in annual revenues to $7.7M (nearly 100% growth in eight years), from 21 employees to 33; and from $1.6M in assets to $4.4M (a 175% increase). Her expert financial management has led to staff and asset growth, and has better allowed the organization to serve the public in meeting its vision of thriving rivers cherished by all Eastern Shore communities.

Kristin Junkin began her career as a lawyer for a large Washington, D.C., firm and then for many years co-owned a federal government contracting company. She was the founder and president of Outside Counsel, a legal personnel service in Washington, D.C.  She is a summa cum laude graduate of Howard University where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and she has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

ShoreRivers’ mission is to protect Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement — all of which are possible only through excellent operational leadership and the financial support of our members and other stewards standing strong for clean water.

Bayside Rendezvous to Mark Swan Song Event for ShoreRivers’ Executive Director

ShoreRivers is proud to announce that its highly anticipated Rendezvous event is returning this fall, with guests invited to Silver Swan Bayside on Sunday, November 16, from 1–4pm.

Join ShoreRivers at Silver Swan Bayside for an afternoon of casual cocktails and seasonal fare, plus a chance to learn more about its most important programming. Bid a fond farewell to Executive Director Isabel Hardesty at this year’s Bayside Rendezvous on Sunday, November 16. For tickets and sponsorship information, please visit shorerivers.org/events.

The Rendezvous is an annual fall gathering of ShoreRivers' friends — both new and those deep-rooted — who value the beauty and bounty of our rivers and creeks, and the shores that trace them. Seasonal and delicious fare curated by our friends at Chesapeake Chef Services as well as a premium open bar will greet our guests when they arrive at this year’s beautiful, waterfront venue.

During the afternoon, guests will be invited to participate in a fun fundraiser and have an opportunity to “raise their swan” in support of healthier waterways. All proceeds collected from the lovely and lively event underwrite ShoreRivers’ steadfast focus on science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement for the Eastern Shore.

This year’s event will also serve as Executive Director Isabel Hardesty's swan song event, where we'll celebrate her 14 years of service and dedication to our waterways and our communities. Hardesty was hired in 2011 by the Chester River Association, one of ShoreRivers’ legacy organizations, where she served as the Policy Specialist for two years and then as the Chester Riverkeeper for four. In these positions she gained experience in local and state advocacy, local enforcement monitoring and compliance, water quality monitoring, and on-the-ground restoration. When ShoreRivers was created in 2018, she served first as the Regional Director and then as the Deputy Director until becoming Executive Director in 2021. Leading a culture of trust, transparency, and tenacity will be a lasting hallmark of her service to ShoreRivers and the communities we serve. We invite everyone to join us in wishing her well on her next adventure.

Sponsorship opportunities (which include promotional recognition and complimentary tickets), and general tickets are available. We’re grateful for the early support of lead sponsors Watson/Stone Family Foundation, Full Sail Media, and Silver Swan Bayside to make this fun and purposeful event possible. Visit shorerivers.org/events to secure your spot now, or email events@shorerivers.org for details.

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What Comes After the Rain

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As summer gives way to fall and we wrap up our seasonal Swimmable ShoreRivers program, we can't help but feel a bit disappointed by what our bacteria results have shown this year — from pass rates 24% lower than last year across our watersheds and our first ever site that failed to meet safe swimming standards 100% of the time it was tested, it's been impossible to see the data come in week after week and not have concerns. 

This spring and summer have brought more rain than usual — in May alone, parts of Maryland received nearly 9.5 inches of rain — five inches more than the 10-year average. June added another 4.5 inches, again above average. And while we know that rain replenishes our farms, gardens, and forests, too much too quickly has consequences for our rivers. Stormwater runoff carries with it everything on the land — fertilizer, pet waste, sewage from failing septic systems, and pollutants from roads — sending it downstream into the places where we‘re swimming, fishing, and boating.

Through our Swimmable ShoreRivers program, we monitor bacteria levels weekly at over 50 recreation sites across the region from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This year’s rainfall has meant more frequent “fail” results under the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) threshold for safe swimming. These results can be frustrating and sometimes alarming, especially for families hoping to cool off with a swim in the water. As parents, pet owners, and boaters, we regularly check the bacteria counts at our favorite swimming spots, and share that frustration when the closest ones to our launch site test too high to risk our loved ones’ health. 

Here’s why it matters. The MDE standard for swimming areas is 104 colony-forming units (CFU) of Enterococci per 100 milliliters of water. That’s a technical way of saying: once bacteria concentrations reach that level, the likelihood of gastrointestinal illness, skin infections, or ear infections goes up. It’s not a magic line where danger suddenly begins, but a benchmark informed by decades of epidemiological data. It doesn’t mean that swimming, boating, or kayaking is impossible. Risk is gradual, not absolute, and our monitoring exists to give you information to make the most educated choice for yourself.

We also know that this is only part of the story. The above average spring rainfall increased the freshwater flow into the Chesapeake Bay by 20% this year, while the temperatures in June and July were the fourth and second highest in 131 years, respectively. These factors are contributing to higher-than-average hypoxia and anoxia (sometimes known as low oxygenated “dead zones”) in the Bay. Warming waters linked to climate change also create better conditions for pathogens like Vibrio vulnificus, while humans ourselves may contribute things like Staphylococcus bacteria (commonly coming off of swimmers in the water) and the Enterococci our program measures for each week. These challenges are real. But they are also reminders that our rivers are living systems that are both dynamic and responsive, and — if we reduce the pressures we place on them — capable of healing.

At ShoreRivers, we believe the story doesn’t end with failure — it begins there. Our job is not just to measure problems but to provide solutions. By understanding what drives high bacteria levels, we can act together to reduce them. Rain will always fall, but what happens on the land before it reaches our rivers is up to us.

So how do we move forward? Together. We need investments in green infrastructure that slow and filter runoff, stronger agricultural best practices, and upgrades to outdated septic systems and aging sewer infrastructure. These changes require collaboration across communities, governments, and landowners, as well as regulations and funding at both state and federal levels, which have admittedly been harder to come by lately. And just as importantly, we need access to reliable information and shared values — families checking bacteria results before they swim, neighbors cleaning up after pets, and all of us recognizing that actions on land have impacts downstream and that these are issues that have to start being priorities at every level.

At ShoreRivers, we are committed to being a trusted source of science and a partner in solutions. We see our rivers as living, resilient places that sustain us. The higher fail rates we’ve seen this season are not reasons to give up — they’re reasons to lean in. They remind us why our work matters, and why hope, collaboration, and stewardship are more powerful than fear.

The Bay and its rivers need us. Every raindrop that falls is an opportunity to act: to choose better land practices, to invest in cleaner water, and to ensure that future generations can swim, fish, and find joy in these waters. With science as our guide and community as our strength, we can make our rivers swimmable — rain or shine.

 

For Clean Water,
Ben Ford, Miles-Wye Riverkeeper
Matt Pluta, Choptank Riverkeeper
Annie Richards, Chester Riverkeeper
Zack Kelleher, Sassafras Riverkeeper

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Take Action for Clean Water in Morgan Creek

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On October 1, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will hold a public hearing on the discharge permit for Eastman Specialties Corporation. A subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company — which produces a variety of materials, chemicals, and fibers used in everyday products — Eastman Specialties is located on Morgan Creek in Chestertown. This permit regulates what the company is allowed to discharge into our waterways, and it is now up for renewal.

Morgan Creek is a treasured waterway for many in our community, providing a place for boating, fishing, and enjoying nature. Unfortunately, ShoreRivers’ monitoring data shows that it also suffers from significant nutrient impairments, likely from runoff. And Morgan Creek is consistently the lowest-performing bacteria site in the Chester River, year after year — in 2025, the site only met the safe swimming standard for bacteria pollution 20% of the time it was tested. 

ShoreRivers also collected samples from Morgan Creek in partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance as part of nation-wide testing for harmful PFAS in local waters. A group of human-made “forever chemicals,” PFAS don’t break down easily in the environment and can build up in our bodies over time. These chemicals are linked to health risks such as cancer, liver damage, and developmental issues, making their presence in local waters a serious concern. Out of eight sites tested within ShoreRivers’ watershed, five results showed levels of concern — including Morgan Creek.

how can i get involved?

  • Share this webpage, or this one pager to friends and neighbors who care about clean water

  • At ShoreRivers request, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is holding a public hearing where community members can share their concerns regarding environmental impacts to Morgan Creek:

    Kent County Public Library – 408 High Street, Chestertown, MD
    Wednesday, October 1, 5–7pm

  • If you can’t attend in person, consider emailing written comments to jonathan.rice@maryland.gov by October 8, 2025.

    A sample testimony can be downloaded from here, or you can email Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards for help with your own.

  • You can add your name and support (and your own brief comments) to the letter ShoreRivers will be sending to the Maryland Department of the Environment. Click here to sign on.

These collective findings are a reminder that protecting our rivers and creeks isn’t just about clean water for recreation and wildlife — it’s also about safeguarding the health of our communities. As Eastman Specialties seeks to renew their permit, ShoreRivers is urging MDE to strengthen the permit’s terms by:

  • Requiring a compliance schedule that addresses Eastman’s repeated violations. Eastman has a history of significant noncompliance with its permit, according to ECHO (Enforcement and Compliance History Online, a database and tool managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). In Maryland, “significant non-compliance” means that a permit holder — such as a facility or business that holds a discharge permit — is seriously violating the terms of that permit. This could include discharging more pollution than allowed by the permit, not reporting required monitoring data, or failing to comply with  rules meant to protect water quality. 

  • Mandating a stronger Quality Assurance and Quality Control plan to ensure operators are properly trained and reporting accurately. When a facility is in significant non-compliance, it signals a major problem that can harm our waterways and communities, and it usually requires stronger enforcement action and oversight from the state.

  • Mandating surface and groundwater testing for PFAS and chemicals listed in Eastman's current permit. Eastman’s current permit does not require PFAS monitoring, despite the fact that Eastman is in one of five industrial sector categories recently identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as most likely to use or manufacture PFAS in its processes. We feel strongly that the state must address this discrepancy in a new discharge permit by requiring a PFAS sampling study plan be developed, approved, and implemented.

  • Requiring groundwater monitoring and sludge disposal activities be reported as part of the new permit. These are the most common pathways for PFAS to accumulate in our environment and in our bodies over time.

The upcoming public hearing is an opportunity for our community to speak up for clean water. It will be held on Wednesday, October 1, at 5pm at the Kent County Public Library in Chestertown. I encourage my neighbors to attend and share their voices. Protecting Morgan Creek and the Chester River is about safeguarding the waterways that sustain our health, our heritage, and our way of life.

For Clean Water,
Annie Richards, Chester Riverkeeper

About this issue

Ride for Clean Rivers Returns This Month

Cyclists are invited to participate in the 21st annual Ride for Clean Rivers on Sunday, September 21. Visit shorerivers.org/events to register and for additional details.  Photo by Tom McCall.

Cyclists of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the 21st Ride for Clean Rivers on Sunday, September 21 — your chance to ride the beautiful back roads of Talbot and Queen Anne’s counties in support of ShoreRivers’ work for thriving rivers cherished by all Eastern Shore communities. 

Riders can choose from fully supported Metric Century (62-mile), 35-mile, or 20-mile routes. All routes begin and end at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills and include SAG support and rest stops with food and drink.

Staggered group send-offs at 8am and 9am include a police escort across Route 50. Upon returning to the college campus, riders and volunteers will enjoy a catered lunch and beer provided by Ten Eyck Brewery. Participants are also encouraged to join teams and create their own fundraising pages to boost support for their ride from others.

ShoreRivers extends special thanks to the following sponsors and partners: Dean & Nita Goodwin, Chesapeake College, Bike Doctor Kent Island, Ten Eyck Brewing Company, TCR Event Management, as well as volunteers from the Talbot Skipjacks 4-H Club.

A portion of the proceeds from this event support ShoreRivers’ science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement programs. Registration prices will increase as the event nears, so sign up now! To register as a rider or sponsor, visit shorerivers.org/event/rideforcleanrivers2025.

Second Annual Bacteria Blitz Highlights Impact of Stormwater on Local Waterways

Hannah Claggett, ShoreRivers’ Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Member for 2024–205 shows off a water sample collected in order to be tested for bacteria.

ShoreRivers hosted its second annual Bacteria Blitz last month, engaging community members across the Eastern Shore to collect water samples from their properties or favorite swimming spots. These samples were brought back to our Easton, Chestertown, or Galena offices and tested for Enterococci, a bacteria used to indicate fecal contamination in waterways.

This community-wide effort empowers both ShoreRivers members and non-members to better understand local water quality and provides our Riverkeepers with valuable data from areas not routinely monitored through the Swimmable ShoreRivers program, which sees the testing of nearly 50 sites across our watersheds between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Results from this weekly testing are posted every Friday on social media and at shorerivers.org/swim in an effort to provide the public with the information they need to make educated decisions about their contact with the water.

The timing of this year’s Blitz followed several significant rain events, which likely contributed to the elevated bacteria levels observed. Out of 40 sampling sites, only nine passed the State of Maryland’s recommended standard for safe swimming (less than 104 CFU/100mL of Enterococci), meaning that 78% of the tested sites did not meet safe swimming standards.

Results of ShoreRivers’ annual Bacteria Blitz showed a high fail rate this year, with just nine passing the State of Maryland’s standard for safe swimming.

Of the rivers sampled, the Chester River showed the highest number of passing sites, with six out of 13 locations meeting safe swimming standards. In comparison, the Choptank River had only one passing site out of 16 samples. The Sassafras River and Bayside Creeks had one passing site out of four samples, while the Miles-Wye and Eastern Bay region also had just one passing site out of seven total locations. The lowest colony-forming unit (CFU) reading recorded was less than 10 CFUs and found at two Chester River sampling locations, while the highest readings exceeded 24,196 CFUs, and were found in two Choptank River and one Chester River sample.

"The high rate of failing results from this year's Bacteria Blitz — which represent a common theme on our waterways this summer — are a reminder of how vulnerable our rivers are to pollution triggered by storm events" says Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards. "When it rains, stormwater flows across roads, farm fields, septic systems, habitats with wildlife scat. These events can significantly raise bacteria counts — especially in areas with aging infrastructure or limited natural buffers like wetlands and forested stream banks.

Pass and fail percentages from this year’s Bacteria Blitz by watershed.

"What is more, excessively warm, turbid waters create ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive and grow. So, while there are acute bacteria pollution sources that need both government action and funding to address, we need those actions to take into account the role climate change is playing to exacerbate the impacts of stormwater runoff."

As always, ShoreRivers recommends the following best practices when recreating in local waterways: rinse off after swimming, avoid swimming for 24–48 hours after a rain event, and stay out of the water with open cuts or wounds to minimize exposure to potentially harmful bacteria.

For more information about ShoreRivers’ water quality monitoring programs or to get involved, visit shorerivers.org/swim. Though the seasonal Swimmable ShoreRivers testing has wrapped up for this year, keep an eye out for a full report on each regularly monitored site in October and ShoreRivers’ ongoing work to protect and restore our local rivers and creeks.

ShoreRivers Announces 2025 Photo Contest

Winning submission to ShoreRivers’ 2024 photo contest from Jessica Passwaters. For a chance to have your photograph featured, submit a picture of your local watershed to the 2025 contest. Details and contest rules can be found at  shorerivers.org/photo-contest.

Have you ever been told you have an eye for capturing the moment? Perhaps a passion for photography? Do you love your local waterways and want to promote and protect them? ShoreRivers is running our annual photo contest from through October 31, so snap a picture and send it our way! Your photo could be seen across the Eastern Shore — contest photos are featured in ShoreRivers’ print and digital publications as well as at our events, which collectively reach thousands of people each year. 

Winning submission to ShoreRivers’ 2024 photo contest from Greg Tutino.

We are looking for images that highlight the beauty and resilience of the Eastern Shore waterways that ShoreRivers works to protect and restore through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement. We are particularly interested in images that exemplify our vision statement: Thriving rivers cherished by all Eastern Shore communities. Shore rivers are your rivers, and we want to see your representation of the beloved natural resources that we all strive to conserve.

Contest winners will be announced December 1 via email and on social media. Winners will be chosen based on how well their images reflect the mission and values of ShoreRivers. There will be four winners for each watershed — Choptank; Miles, Wye, and Eastern Bay; Sassafras and Bayside Creeks; and Chester — for a total of 16 winners. 

Photographers will be credited for their work and may submit up to four photos. Images must be taken in ShoreRivers’ geography. For additional contest rules and details, please visit shorerivers.org/photo-contest.

Raft-Up Concert Returns to Shaw Bay in the Wye River

The Eastport Oyster Boys and the Wye River Band will perform at the annual Shaw Bay Raft-Up Concert near the mouth of the Wye River on Saturday, September 6, from 3–6 pm.

Celebrate the end of summer with ShoreRivers at the Shaw Bay Raft-Up Concert from 3–6 pm on Saturday, September 6. The Eastport Oyster Boys will be making their 22nd appearance and the Wye River Band will be back for their sixth at this free concert, which aims to raise funds and awareness for clean water efforts on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

This annual benefit concert is a must for mariners of all kinds. Boat in to Shaw Bay near the mouth of the Wye River and then join the floating raft up on your dinghy, paddle board, or kayak to enjoy a front row seat to the live concert. Visit shorerivers.org/events to find sponsorship opportunities, a map of nearby locations from which to launch your vessel, and to sign up to receive text updates on the event.

While the concert is free, donations are welcome, with all proceeds helping to promote the clean water initiatives of ShoreRivers on the Miles and Wye rivers and in Eastern Bay. ShoreRivers is grateful for the generous sponsorship of St. Michaels Marina and John & Jill Murray — additional sponsorship opportunities are available. ShoreRivers gratefully recognizes sponsors from $250-$1,000 with benefits including features on the event webpage, and in event emails and social media posts; promotional videos; and an opportunity to hang a flag or sign on the band's boat, which is the focal point for attendees.

ShoreRivers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement. Our local waterways are polluted by excess nutrients and sediment that run off of urban, suburban, agricultural, and commercial land. ShoreRivers is dedicated to implementing real solutions through programs and projects to improve the health of these waterways. To learn more, please visit shorerivers.org. 

To sign up to receive concert updates, visit shorerivers.org/event/shawbayraftup2025. Event questions may be directed to Courtney Leigh at cleigh@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers Gratefully Acknowledges Hardesty's Leadership; Announces Search for New Executive Director

On December 31, 2025, Isabel Hardesty will bid a bittersweet farewell to ShoreRivers which, along with its predecessor organizations, she has served faithfully for 14 years. Following the merger of local Riverkeeper organizations into ShoreRivers in 2018, Isabel served as the Deputy Director, then as the very effective Executive Director of ShoreRivers since 2021. Watch shorerivers.org/jobs for an upcoming job announcement. 

In 2018 ShoreRivers had 21 employees and operated with a $3.5 million budget. Under Hardesty’s leadership, ShoreRivers has grown to 33 employees, six paid interns, and a $7.5 million budget, reflecting the growth of the range and scope of its programs and impact on the Eastern Shore. She has fostered an organizational culture of respect, transparency, collaboration, optimism, and hard work among the staff, helping ShoreRivers gain region-wide recognition as a responsible and impactful advocate for our rivers and become a trusted voice in Annapolis.

“After 14 years of working for our rivers, I am ready for a change and for another chapter in my professional life,” says Hardesty. “I am excited and happy and nostalgic and sad all at once, but mostly energized by the prospect of change and feeling strong in my belief that this is the right step for me, for my family, and for ShoreRivers. Rivers remain my heart, but I am ready to branch out and contribute to other environmental and social nonprofit work.”

She continues: “I am so proud of this organization; we are in an incredible period of stability and impact, which is why I feel confident in stepping away at this time. ShoreRivers is coming from a place of significant strength for conducting this kind of search; we confidently and optimistically look forward to selecting a fantastic new leader.”

Hardesty leaves behind a financially strong, stable organization with an experienced staff. While there remains plenty of environmental work to be done, ShoreRivers has never been the work of one individual, but is the collective work of a dedicated, multi-talented, and resourceful team. ShoreRivers’ Governing Board has formed a search committee that will work with Hardesty and the staff to ensure an orderly transition from one capable leader to the next. ShoreRivers is deeply grateful for Hardesty’s leadership and wishes her well.

Meanwhile, continue to look for ShoreRivers in your communities and on your waterways.  Following our Strategic Plan, we continue to engage our many volunteers and community partners as we advance well-defined goals through water quality testing, restoring beds of submerged aquatic vegetation, installing pollution-reducing projects on farm fields and in towns, educating the next generation of environmental stewards, planting trees, and advocating for the health of our rivers locally and at state and federal levels. We have a great lineup of programs and invite you to join us in celebrating, cherishing, and protecting the beautiful waterways of the Eastern Shore.