Summer is here, are our waters safe for swimming?

After regretfully canceling the inaugural Maryland Freedom Swim on the Choptank River in May, ShoreRivers is continuing to work toward swimmable rivers that are regularly monitored for harmful bacteria. In addition to the 15 existing sites being monitored on the Chester and Sassafras Rivers, ShoreRivers has added four new monitoring sites on the Choptank, Miles, and Wye Rivers.

The strain of bacteria sampled, Enterococci, indicates pathogens that may cause human illness. This bacteria can originate from a variety of sources, including failing septic systems, sewer overflows or leaks, poultry, livestock, and pet waste. During significant rainfalls, the possibility always exists for elevated and unsafe bacteria levels. As a general precaution, be sure to avoid water contact for 48 hours after profuse rain events or any time if you have an open cut or wound. Always shower after swimming.

ShoreRivers monitored sites include:

Choptank River

         Bill Burton Fishing Pier

·         Oxford Strand on the Tred Avon River

Wye River

·         Drum Point Beach on Wye Island

Miles River

·         Miles River Yacht Club

Chester River

·         Duck Neck

·         Morgan Creek

·         Rosin Creek

·         Chestertown at High Street

·         Chester River Yacht and Country Club

·         Rolphs Wharf

·         Camp Pecometh

·         Langford Bay

·         Grays Inn Creek

·         Conquest Beach

·         Corsica River Yacht Club

·         Centreville Wharf

Sassafras River

·         Georgetown Bridge

·         Dyer Creek

·         Indian Acres

ShoreRivers will test these sites weekly throughout the swimming season until Labor Day. Results will be posted on SwimGuide, a website (theswimguide.org) and smart phone app that allows users across the Chesapeake Bay region to check the health of local swimming beaches. Additionally, Shorerivers’ Riverkeepers will post the bacteria results on their social media pages for local beaches. Follow the Chester Riverkeeper, Choptank Riverkeeper, Miles-Wye Riverkeeper, and Sassafras Riverkeeper on Facebook for updates. You can also follow the hashtag SwimmableShoreRivers.

For more information, please visit shorerivers.org or call 443-385-0511. Here’s to a great, safe summer enjoying our rivers!

ShoreRivers works toward swimmable rivers by regularly monitoring for harmful bacteria.

Photo credit: Sam Morse

ShoreRivers Adds Three to Staff

ShoreRivers is pleased to announce three new additions to our staff.

Josh Biddle, Agricultural Specialist

Josh Biddle is ShoreRivers’s new Agricultural Specialist. Josh is an Eastern Shore native who grew up on a farm between Denton and Ridgely, where for the last 15 years, he has worked in his family’s greenhouses growing flowers. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Salisbury University. For the past two years, he has been employed as a Soil Conservation Technician at the Talbot County Soil Conservation District working with a number of state and federal conservation programs, and assisting in the planning, design, and installation of a variety of best management practices throughout the county. Josh will be working with state, federal, academic, and farm partners to apply agricultural conservation projects within Eastern Shore watersheds. Along with Director of Agriculture and Restoration Tim Rosen and Restoration Specialist Josh Thompson, Josh will assist in ShoreRivers’ expanding agricultural project work, including conducting outreach within the agricultural community to promote conservation programs and encourage responsible and river-friendly farming all across the Eastern Shore.

Julia Erbe, Development and Events Coordinator

Julia Erbe has joined ShoreRivers as Development and Events Coordinator. A lifelong Marylander, Julia attended Washington College and went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Goucher College. “Ever since my time studying at Washington College, the Eastern Shore has been my place of solitude and comfort,” she says. “It makes perfect sense that I would find myself back here, working for such an amazing organization that I respect so highly. I am honored to join this passionate, hard-working group of like-minded individuals, and I am eager to contribute to their important work.”

Julia will be working on many events throughout the region to help educate local communities and raise funds to support ShoreRivers’ programs and mission. Her local ties, environmental background, and experience will bring tremendous help to support the organization’s mission throughout the region.

Rachel Plescha,
2018-2019 Chesapeake Conservation Corps Volunteer

Rachel Plescha is the new 2018-2019 ShoreRivers Chesapeake Conservation Corps (CCC) Volunteer. A native of Oviedo, Florida, she recently graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Environmental Policy with a minor in Economics. She will take the place of the 2017-2018 CCC Volunteer, Rebecca Murphy, who is staying on with ShoreRivers as Education and Outreach Coordinator.

ShoreRivers has participated in the CCC program since 2012, hosting 11 volunteers, several of whom have become permanent staff members. The CCC program is funded through the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Rachel made ShoreRivers her first choice from over 70 other competing nonprofits in the Bay area. Rachel explains, “I am looking forward to learning about how the community plays a role in shaping positive outcomes for environmental health. I am most excited to work with the agricultural and community outreach programs. I have always been interested in the connection between the food we eat and our environment, so much so that I even worked on an organic farm for a few months! I am excited to meet new people and help them realize their connection to the land around them. I cannot wait to move to the Eastern Shore and experience the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay in person!“

ShoreRivers Executive Director Jeff Horstman says, “With ShoreRivers' expanding role and growth, these talented and passionate young people will bring energy and enthusiasm to our efforts toward healthy waterways across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. We are happy to welcome Josh, Julia, and Rachel to our team!”

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Agriculture enthusiasts flock to Conservation in Action Tour

Star Democrat
July 17, 2018

by Kayla Rivas

Tim Rosen explains his crop research on Delmarva regarding ditches, the Agri Drain Box, and buffers.

The Conservation Technology Information Center’s 11th annual Conservation in Action Tour brought those passionate about the latest farming technologies and innovative soil conservation efforts to the Eastern Shore from July 10 to July 11.

The Conservation in Action Tour is held in a different state every year, with this year focusing on Talbot County. Maryland Grain Producers Association Executive Director Lindsay Thompson assisted in planning the tour.

“The Hutchison Brothers’ advanced nutrient management practices in field paired with innovative drainage water management practices ensure that the water leaving their farm is as clean as possible,” Thompson said. “They are a prime example of how successful production and conservation can coexist.”

Bobby Hutchison addresses the crowd at his farm during the Conservation in Action Tour.

Hutchison Bros. hosted approximately 130 visitors around 3 p.m. on Wednesday July 11. The session was divided into two parts, with one crowd gathering indoors to listen to Bobby Hutchison, Executive Vice President at Ecosystem Services Exchange, Alex Echols and Director of Agriculture & Restoration at ShoreRivers, Tim Rosen.

The 3,400-acre cash grain and vegetable cropping business is owned by Bobby Hutchison, brothers Richard and David Hutchison, son Travis Hutchison and nephew Kyle Hutchison.

The management of nitrogen was a central talking point of the tour’s visit at Hutchison Bros. Discussion leaders also educated the audience on bioreactors, buffer strips, sub-irrigation, and computer technologies that assists in calculating appropriate amounts of nutrients based on soil type.

Rosen said some crop research is being tested on Delmarva. As staff scientist at Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy (now ShoreRivers), Rosen’s prior published research explains how ditches in the Choptank Landscape lower the water table and intercept high nitrate groundwater.

Alex Echols explains the latest farming technologies and conservation efforts.

Through installation of buffers, surface water, sediment, and phosphorus can be controlled, Rosen said. The research suggests using hydrologic modifications to treat nitrate-nitrogen. Rosen also demonstrated how an Agri Drain Box can be used to divert water to a wood chip bioreactor. A bioreactor trench is dug about three to feet deep, with bioreactor costs ranging from approximately $20,000 to $30,000, Rosen and Echols said.

“I’ve been able to see how progressive Maryland farmers are in their work to clean up the Chesapeake Bay,” Former President of the National Association of Conservation Districts Lee McDaniel said. “We’re very fortunate in Maryland because we have local government and state and other partnerships as well all working together to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.”

Click here to read FULL ARTICLE.

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Meta Boyd Featured in What's Up? E. Shore Magazine

What's Up Eastern Shore Magazine
July 2018

Towne Salute: Meta Boyd | Shorerivers
by Cate Reynolds

Meta Boyd’s passion for community work stems from an innate desire to teach others to care: to care about themselves, to care about their environment, and to care about the connection between those two things. 

 ShoreRivers works to protect and restore Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. Boyd, a former scuba instructor, has always felt connected to the water, so ShoreRivers felt like a perfect fit for her. 

Click here to read FULL FEATURE ARTICLE.

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Rain Gardens Help Prevent Runoff Pollution

Star Democrat
June 28, 2018

Dustin Holt

CAMBRIDGE — Dorchester County residents in collaboration with local and state officials may have found a creative way to address the issue that the city has with runoff heading into the Choptank River — rain gardens.

Click here to read full article.

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Mitigating Nutrient Loading on the Choptank

Environmental Monitor
Application and Technology News for Environmental Professionals
by Cindy Cooper
May 21, 2018

Watershed Scientist Tim Rosen near a wood chip bioreactor installed on a local farm in Maryland.

PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL METHODS
ShoreRivers is focusing on outreach efforts with the local agricultural community to bolster water quality improvement efforts in Maryland’s Choptank River.

CLICK HERE to read entire article.