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.”

Request for Bids: Stream Restoration and Culvert Design

bid solicitation package

Issue Date: 1/6/26
Submissions Due: 2/27/26

EMAIL SUBMISSIONS TO:
wgray@shorerivers.org and wryall@shorerivers.org

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ShoreRivers invites bids for the construction of a stream restoration on Poor House Run, an urban stream in Denton, MD. The stream restoration contract will also include the design, permitting, and replacement of a culvert along 5th Street, just north of Legion Road.

Questions can be submitted prior to and after the pre-bid meeting. All questions and answers will be compiled and provided to parties prior to bid opening. All questions must be submitted by 5pm, February 20, 2026. Questions may be submitted in email form to: Whitley Gray at wgray@shorerivers.org and William Ryall at wryall@shorerivers.org. Questions will be answered by the appropriate individuals and all answers will be shared with all bidders. 

• Bids Due: 3pm, February 27, 2026 

• Project construction must be complete: March 1, 2027 

• Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting: 9am, January 16, 2026 

• Deadline for final submission of questions: 5pm, February 20, 2026 

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bid instructions

A. SUBMISSION OF BIDS

I. All proposals must be submitted using the attached Proposal Form, give the price for each item of the proposed work, and be signed by the Bidder with their name and address. No Bidder may withdraw their bid within 30 calendar days after the bid receipt deadline.

II. Electronically mailed bids are preferred.

III. Paper bid forms shall be signed and submitted in a sealed envelope clearly identified on the outside of the mailing envelope with the name of the project. If the bid is submitted electronically, project name shall be clearly identified in the subject line.

B. DELIVERY OF BIDS

I. Bids should be mailed or hand carried to 114 S. Washington Street, Suite 301 Easton, MD 21601 OR submitted electronically to William Ryall at wryall@shorerivers.org and Whitley Gray at wgray@shorerivers.org prior to the announced bid deadline. Bids received after said time or delivered to the wrong location will be returned to the Bidder unopened.

II. If you are delivering the bid in person, please allow time to park and walk to the ShoreRivers’ office. It is fully the responsibility of the Bidder to ensure that the bid is received on time.

III. ShoreRivers will not speculate as to reasonableness of the postmark, nor comment on the apparent failure of the public carrier to have made prompt delivery of the bid.

C. QUESTIONS/ADDENDUM

I. The Bid Solicitation Package is subject to change in the form of an addendum. Questions must be addressed, via email, to William Ryall at wryall@shorerivers.org and Whitley Gray wgray@shorerivers.org.

II. It is the Bidder’s responsibility to make sure all addenda are acknowledged in their bid. Failure to do so could result in the bid being disqualified.

D. QUALIFICATIONS

I. The Bidder must be in compliance with the laws regarding conducting business in the State of Maryland.

II. If the Bidder is a qualified vendor of ShoreRivers for the implementation of stream restorations, no project examples or references are required.

III. If the bidder is not a ShoreRivers qualified stream restoration vendor, the Bidder shall provide:

1. Examples of at least two stream restoration construction projects performed within the past 10 years. The following information should be included:

a. Client’s name, point of contact, address, and telephone number and/or email

b. Description and location of related projects and year of completion

c. Key personnel involved

d. Photo documentation of completed project.

2. At least two references (name, company, title, address, email, and telephone number) for construction of similar work.

All bidders, including those pre-qualified by ShoreRivers for stream restoration construction, must provide:

3. Examples of two culvert design and replacement projects performed within the past 10 years. The following information should be included:

a. Client’s name, point of contact, address, and telephone number and/or email

b. Description and location of related projects and year of completion

c. Key personnel involved

d. Photo documentation of completed project.

4. At least two references (name, company, title, address, email, and telephone number) for any required stream restoration and/or culvert design and construction work as specified above.

E. EXCEPTIONS

I. Any exceptions to the specifications requested should be marked on the bid form and listed on a separate sheet of paper attached to the bid.

II. An exception to the specifications may not necessarily disqualify the bid. ShoreRivers will determine if the exception is an essential deviation or a minor item.

III. In the case of a minor deviation, ShoreRivers maintains the option to award to that Bidder if it determines the performance is not adversely affected by the exception.

F. APPROVED EQUALS

I. In all specifications where a material or article is defined by describing a proprietary product or by using the name of a vendor or manufacturer, it can be assumed that an approved equal can be substituted.

II. The use of a named product is an attempt to set a particular standard of quality and type that is familiar to the engineer and ShoreRivers. Such references are not intended to be restrictive.

III. However, ShoreRivers shall decide if a product does in fact meet or exceed the quality of the specifications listed in the solicitation. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor that claims their product is an equal to provide documentation to support such a claim.

G. SALES TAX

I. According to the Office of the Comptroller of Maryland, a Contractor is responsible for paying sales tax on their purchases relating to any projects or services and should incorporate it into their bid.

II. Contractors cannot use ShoreRivers’ tax exemption to buy materials or products.

H. DELIVERY

I. All items shall be delivered F.O.B. destination and delivery costs and charges included in the bid unless otherwise stated in the specifications or bid form.

I. INSURANCE

I. The Bidder shall provide ShoreRivers with Certificates of Insurance within 10 days of bid award notification evidencing the required coverage as described in the attached Proposal Form.

II. Bidder must provide Certificates of Insurance before commencing work in connection with the Contract.

III. The successful Bidder must be bonded to ShoreRivers for a sum equal to 100% of the amount of the proposal according to the form of bond attached.

J. BID EVALUATION

I. Bid tabulations will be emailed to all Bidders within two business days of the bid due date.

II. Bid evaluations typically take one week.

K. RIGHT TO REJECT

I. ShoreRivers reserves the right to reject any and/or all bids or to waive any technicality it deems in the best interest of ShoreRivers.

L. AWARD OF BID

I. ShoreRivers shall award the bid to the best, responsive and responsible Bidder complying with the terms of the invitation to bid. A contract, if 6 awarded, will be based on price, qualifications, experience, and responsiveness.

II. All bid awards are contingent upon available funding.

III. ShoreRivers reserves the right to award a bid by individual items, in aggregate, or in combination thereof as deemed necessary to fulfill the anticipated requirements.

IV. ShoreRivers reserves the right to not award the bid to any Bidder.

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.

What Comes After the Rain

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

Take Action for Clean Water in Morgan Creek

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?

• Spread the Word

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

• Attend the Hearing

  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

• Submit Written Comments

  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.

• sign our petition

  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

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.

Photo by Tom McCall

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.

Photo by Tom McCall

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.

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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.

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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.

McCown Presented with Award for Environmental Stewardship

From left: Heidi Usilton; Ann Swanson, ShoreRivers Governing Board Member; Betsy McCown; Andrew McCown, this year’s winner of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship; Isabel Hardesty, Executive Director of ShoreRivers; Annie Richards, Chester Riverkeeper; and Marian Fry, Chair of ShoreRivers’ Governing Board, are pictured at the organization’s Solstice Celebration on June 28.

On June 28, Captain Andrew R. McCown was named the 2025 recipient of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship as part of the organization’s annual Solstice Celebration. This annual award recognizes an individual or entity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for their transformational accomplishments as a steward of the environment.

McCown has provided environmental education and astonishment to thousands of students over nearly five decades at Echo Hill Outdoor School and played a pivotal role in forming the Chester River Association in 1986. A teacher, leader, oysterman, musician, and storyteller, he delights in seeing others find wonder in a place he holds so dear. His ability to endear students of all ages to a natural resource — from the small minnows swept into a marsh on a rising tide, to the food chain, economy, culture, and history they sustain — is a testament to the devotion and admiration he has for the Chesapeake.

“[Andrew McCown is] one of the best people I know at connecting people’s hearts to our rivers,” said ShoreRivers’ Executive Director Isabel Hardesty, who fondly noted her own time spent learning from McCown at Echo Hill 30 years ago while presenting the award. “It is because of his unparalleled ability to inspire and connect that he is the recipient of our award this year, and that he is close to all of our hearts at ShoreRivers and for people across the Chesapeake Bay.”  

McCown also embodies the value of optimism ShoreRivers embraces by lifting up success stories and highlighting the abundance of life that exists in the river despite the challenges it faces.

“When I started at Echo Hill Outdoor School, which was five years old at the time, it was 1977. And in the world of environmental education there was a lot of despair… but we decided that we weren’t going to do that. That what we were going to do was promote wonder and find ways to connect people to the environment, to endear them to it,” said McCown.

As part of the presentation, McCown was given a hand-crafted, mosaic buoy adorned with salvaged and unique treasures that recognize his history and connection to the Chesapeake Bay. This bespoke piece of art was created and donated by Ann Swanson, the inaugural winner of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship in 2019, who is also the former executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission and a current governing board member for ShoreRivers.

ShoreRivers — and more than 340 supporters in attendance at the event who provided an emotional standing ovation during the remarks — were proud to have this opportunity to recognize McCown for his lifelong pursuit to share his curiosity and reverence for the Chester River with others. Visit shorerivers.org/leadership to learn more about this award and the organization’s impact on the Eastern Shore.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice with ShoreRivers

Join ShoreRivers on June 28 for the return of its annual Solstice Celebration — a big-tent party on the banks of the Chester River featuring local food and drinks, live music and dancing, and an exciting live auction! Visit shorerivers.org/events to learn more.

Join ShoreRivers this summer for its beloved big-tent party on the banks of the Chester River!  

Scheduled for Saturday, June 28, at Wilmer Park in Chestertown, ShoreRivers’ annual Solstice Celebration includes an open bar with Ten Eyck beer, Crow Vineyards wine, and a signature cocktail and mocktail; hors d’oeuvres and a full buffet dinner and dessert; and live music and dancing. The celebration begins at 6pm and continues through dusk with a rousing live auction where guests will bid on exceptional artwork, trips to enticing destinations, and more.

“It’s our privilege to host this signature annual event to celebrate the start of summer,” says Isabel Hardesty, Executive Director of ShoreRivers. “Coming together at the riverside drives home our mission — and our collective duty — to protect our waterways. This year’s event will be particularly special as we honor Captain Andrew McCown with the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship in appreciation for his lifelong pursuit to share his curiosity and reverence for the Chester River with students of all ages.” This custom-designed award is given annually to an individual or entity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed in recognition of their transformational accomplishment as a steward of the environment.

The celebration will feature the culinary talents of Chestertown favorite and friend of ShoreRivers Occasions Catering, who believes in providing food that’s locally sourced, lovingly prepared, and elegantly served. Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy live music by Judd Nielsen and Friends, and admire stunning floral arrangements courtesy of Wildly Native, a family farm in Chestertown, Md., that focuses on hand-selected, in-season flowers that are harvested locally at the peak of bloom. 

Following the live auction, all guests are invited to raise their paddle in support of science-based advocacy, education, restoration, and engagement efforts led by our Riverkeepers. All funds raised during this event will go directly to support ShoreRivers’ work for thriving waterways cherished by all communities. Buy your tickets, secure your table through a sponsorship, and find more information at shorerivers.org/events.

Swimmable ShoreRivers Program Returns for 2025

This summer, ShoreRivers and a team of volunteer SwimTesters will monitor bacteria levels at 54 sites around the region, providing a critical public health service for communities and identifying pollution hotspots for future restoration efforts. To see weekly results and program details, visit shorerivers.org/swim.

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce its Swimmable ShoreRivers bacteria testing program will return for the season on Thursday, May 22, and that weekly results from this annual program will once again be available this year in both English and Spanish.

Every summer, ShoreRivers deploys a team of community scientists to monitor bacteria levels at popular swimming and boating sites to provide important human health risk information to the public. Their samples are then processed, according to standard scientific protocols, in ShoreRivers in-house labs. The program follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard protocols for collecting and analyzing samples and makes public the results of that testing to let people know about current bacteria levels as they make their plans for recreating in our waterways. Results are posted every Friday, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, at shorerivers.org/swim and on both the organization’s and its individual Riverkeepers’ social media pages.

A second page, shorerivers.org/swimmable-shorerivers-espanol, is designed to share this program with the Spanish-speaking community, and bilingual signs can be found at public monitoring sites around the Eastern Shore that explain the goals of the Swimmable ShoreRivers program and show users where to find weekly results in both English and Spanish. These signs (and the program at large) are made possible thanks to funding from the Cornell Douglas Foundation.

Weekly results are also shared on theswimguide.org, where descriptions of testing sites are available in both languages. This public service is a true community effort: this summer, nearly 70 SwimTesters will monitor 54 sites on the Choptank, Miles, Wye, Chester, and Sassafras rivers; Eastern Bay; and the Bayside Creeks. Special thanks go to our generous site sponsors, who include towns, marinas, homeowners’ associations, and families.

The Swimmable ShoreRivers program serves our community in a way that no other program, organization, agency, or data set does. In Maryland, if the state or local government designates an area as a swimming beach, then bacteria monitoring and reporting is required. However, a major gap exists on the Eastern Shore as very few areas are designated swimming beaches, and the results from those that are, are rarely posted publicly or in a timely manner.

“We work with our local community every day, and we know they're interacting with our rivers in dozens of locations from Dorchester to Cecil County,” says Matt Pluta, Director of Riverkeeper Programs at ShoreRivers. “It's our goal to make sure those individuals have available to them the information they need to know — namely, whether the water is safe for them to recreate in from a bacteria pollution standpoint. Swimmable ShoreRivers strives to enhance physical access to our local rivers, as well as access to data and information to help our community make informed decisions about how, when, and where we choose to enjoy our incredible natural resources.”

Also returning for the 2025 season is ShoreRivers’ Pumpout Boat. The Pumpout Boat is a free service offered on the Miles and Wye rivers that docks at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels and operates from May to mid-November. Through this service, we’re ensuring that every boater on the Miles and Wye has the means to safely and properly pump out — we can all help to keep marine waste out of our waterways. To schedule a pump out, contact Captain John Carlsson at 410.829.4352, on VHF Channel 9, by emailing POBCaptJohn@shorerivers.org, or by using the form at shorerivers.org/programs/pumpout-boat.

Youth Environmental Action Summit Inspires Local Students

ShoreRivers’ 2025 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit had over 130 students and 14 teachers in attendance from 10 different schools. Photo by Tom McCall.

Last month, high school students from Kent, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Dorchester counties gathered at Chesapeake College for ShoreRivers’ fourth annual Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. More than 130 students were in attendance from 10 different schools. 

Students check out a snake with Maryland State Park Ranger Paul Detrich during the networking breakfast at ShoreRivers’ 2025 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. Photo by Tom McCall.

This annual Summit aims to empower future leaders of the environmental movement to take action now. One attendee remarked that, “Being around people who care about our planet is always inspiring and encouraging. It makes me feel like we can do something about all the problems we’ve created, and it motivated me to try to make some change.” ShoreRivers’ work to protect Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement is only strengthened when youth voices are uplifted and students know that they don’t have to wait to get involved on behalf of their local waterways. 

Student leaders, who worked alongside ShoreRivers’ staff to plan the 2025 Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit, are pictured ahead of the day’s keynote address with speaker James Ronayne. From left are Aidan Fisher from ShoreRivers, Paige Dempsey from ShoreRivers, Morgan Cole, Carissa Shue, Allison Davis, Emma Hansley, Victoria MacGlashan, Patty Dongarra, Sofia Stecher-Roberts, Lila Criss, Finn Merrick, Kaylie Dunlap, Lucy Pearce, Ava Brower, Hannah Claggett from ShoreRivers, and speaker James Ronayne. Photo by Tom McCall.

Since its start, ShoreRivers’ Summit has been by students for students. As in past years, a group of student leaders worked with ShoreRivers staff to plan the event, which includes a networking breakfast, a keynote address, workshop sessions, and a closing celebration.  

The networking breakfast was one of the largest so far, with 19 local organizations present to share internship, job, and volunteer opportunities for high school students. Students then heard from keynote speaker James Ronayne, a college student who is also an environmental advocate, photographer, storyteller, and influencer in the Chesapeake Bay region. Ronayne spoke about his passion for our waterways, and inspired students to take action on their behalf. The afternoon workshop sessions covered a wide array of topics from scuba diving to monitor oyster reefs to environmental justice to water quality.  

ShoreRivers is grateful for this year’s Summit sponsors: Dockray Charitable Foundation, The Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation, the Campbell Foundation, The Henry Foundation, Fred Frederick, the Waterfowl Festival, IKEA, Chesapeake College, Rauch Inc., Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Easton Dermatology Associates LLC, Hobbs Contractors Inc., and YSI, a Xylem brand.

ShoreRivers Offers Hands-On Expeditions

ShoreRivers is offering a wide variety of expeditions inviting people to get out into their communities and explore their local waterways through things like farm tours, kayak paddles, hands-on activities, and more. For dates and individual event descriptions, visit shorerivers.org/events.

ShoreRivers is inviting the public to get out in their communities and explore their local waterways this year through a series of expeditions around the region.

On the schedule are:

• A walking tour of Chestertown centered on environmental justice on Wednesday, April 30

• A book reading and beach exploration for children with Mermaid Tasha on Saturday, May 10

• A spring paddle on the headwaters of the Choptank River with Riverkeeper Matt Pluta on Wednesday, May 14

• A day for families to learn about monarch butterflies and river-friendly plants at a local nursery on Saturday, June 14

• A guided farm tour showcasing conservation practices with wildlife artist Jonathan Shaw on Wednesday, July 9

• An up-close look at osprey behavior during a riverboat cruise on Tuesday, July 15

• A paddle to explore the American lotus blooms with Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher on Thursday, July 31

• A morning paddle and tour of a native plant nursery with Miles-Wye Rivekeeper Ben Ford on Thursday, September 4

• A fall paddle on Tuckahoe Creek with your Choptank Riverkeeper on Thursday, September 25

• A kayak exploration of the Chester River with Riverkeeper Annie Richards on Tuesday, September 30

These expeditions are small group experiences, carefully curated to offer a unique and meaningful connection between our community and our watershed. From paddles to tours of restoration sites, to hands-on adventures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

“We know that access to our waterways fuels environmental stewardship,” says ShoreRivers’ Membership Manager Courtney Leigh. “It’s our hope that participants in these annual expeditions — in addition to taking in the natural beauty of our rivers, learning from partners who share our vision of thriving communities, and engaging with vibrant team members who lead the charge for clean waterways — will also develop a stronger connection to the bays, rivers, and creeks we all cherish on the Eastern Shore.”

To register, and for individual event details, visit shorerivers.org/events. More expeditions will be added throughout the year.

Riverkeepers to Host Annual State of the Rivers

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, as well as Choptank Oyster Company, Orchard Point Oysters, and Ten Eyck Brewing Company.

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

Tuesday, April 22, at Betterton Fire Hall, from 5:30–7pm
State of the Sassafras River & the Bayside Creeks, hosted by Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher

Thursday, April 24, at The Packing House in Cambridge, from 5:30–7pm
State of the Choptank River, hosted by Riverkeeper Matt Pluta

Thursday, May 1, at Cult Classic Brewing in Stevensville, from 5:30–7pm
State of the Chester River, hosted by Riverkeeper Annie Richards

Thursday, May 8, at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, from 5:30–7pm
State of the Miles River, Wye River, and Eastern Bay, hosted by Riverkeeper Ben Ford

In addition to analyzing water quality data and communicating this information to the public, Riverkeepers use their weekly sampling 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 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.

“Eastern Shore waterways are choked by polluted runoff from residential, commercial, and agricultural properties,” said Matt Pluta, ShoreRivers’ Choptank Riverkeeper & Director of Riverkeeper Programs. “Regular scientific monitoring is a signature component of ShoreRivers’ operations and the only comprehensive testing of our local rivers currently being conducted. Please join us at a State of the Rivers event in your area to learn what’s happening, why it’s happening, and the important ways we can work together to make it better.”   

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