Wardour living shoreline in progress

This newsletter is made possible in part thanks to the generous support of Emerald Sponsor: Brad Kappel Team

Spring is here on the Severn River: the osprey have returned, irises are popping up in our gardens, and skunk cabbage is flourishing in the wetlands. Here at the Severn River Association, we are gearing up for our annual water quality monitoring season. This year, we have something special for all you data wonks: a new interactive dashboard where you can see the latest water quality conditions. Toggle between monitoring sites and focus on the criteria that interest you most, from dissolved oxygen to salinity to temperature. Look for the link to this new website in our May newsletter!

And starting this year, thanks to the generous support of John Flood, Greg and Nancy Beronja, Chris and Joanne Hamilton, and Cathy and David Willauer, we will be tracking nitrogen, phosphorus, and chlorophyll levels. These new criteria will give us greater insight into the stressors affecting the river and help identify active algae blooms. 

These enhancements to our water quality monitoring program will help all our supporters stay more connected to the river and allow us to see the impact of our restoration work as we pursue our mission. Thank you for your support, and have a happy Spring on the Severn!

For the Severn,

Jesse Iliff

Executive Director

Take our survey about rain gardens!

Concept design for Greenacres stormwater management and living shoreline.

Greenacres is the Place to Be

After a year of fundraising and community meetings, SRA is excited to announce we were awarded a grant to design step pools for stormwater and a living shoreline to replace a failing bulkhead in the Greenacres community!

Once built, this project will reduce a substantial amount of stormwater runoff pollution entering Back Creek from over 9 acres. This will have a big impact on the community and the river for years to come. We can't wait to roll up our sleeves and get started.

A Giant Contribution to Pollution Reduction

The construction of two stormwater bioretention cells at the Bay Ridge Rd Giant in Annapolis is nearing completion. Planting is scheduled for April and we can’t wait to host a Green Ribbon cutting! We are looking forward to hosting a team of Chesapeake Bay Trust Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps (C4) members to help with the planting, organized by our very own C4 member Erin Hamner. Also a big shout out to our contractors BayLand Consultants and Designers, Inc. and Environmental Quality Resources! This will be the first project to be completed as part of Maryland’s Whole Watershed Program.

Wardour Living Shoreline and Stormwater Treatment

Another exciting development is that construction of the living shoreline at the Wardour neighborhood of Annapolis is also nearly complete. Our phenomenal contractor PayDirt has worked incredibly efficiently and is now finishing up some details with the rock sill and will soon be planting. The next step is to build the stormwater treatment step-pool, which will also help to reduce runoff pollution and protect a nearby oyster restoration reef.

Building a Restoration Project Pipeline

With contractor Center for Watershed Protection, SRA hosted a public community meeting on March 24 to get input for our upcoming Picture Spring Branch Action Plan. This plan has identified at least 13 potential restoration projects in and around Odenton which, when built, will treat stormwater, remove nutrient pollution, and prevent further stream bank erosion. We welcome your input too! Email Restoration Manager Ben Fertig for more information, and see more details on the project page.

Upcoming Community Meeting

Live in the Severn Run area? We want your intel and feedback! Join us to share your restoration concerns.

Severn Center

1160 Reece Rd 
Severn, MD 21144



Wednesday April 8, 2026

5:30-7:30pm

How do pollinators help the Severn River? Pollinating insects drive diversity of plants in our watershed, which in turn improves soil health, allowing it to absorb more stormwater and keep our river cleaner. How can we help pollinators? A quick and easy way is through our springtime landscaping. Insect conservation experts estimate that as much as 30% of pollinator insects are cavity-nesters. Cavity nesting insects prefer dead stalks of last year's plants. So, when you're out doing your spring cleaning in the yard this week, chop dead stems at knee height to open up those hollow stalks for the cavity nesters just now emerging from their overwintering habitat. In turn they will pollinate more plants in your yard, improving the soil and making your property a better asset for the Severn River. Happy spring!

Volunteer

Annual Member Meeting

When: Tuesday, April 28th 6:00 - 8:00pm

Where: The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers, 610 N Bestgate Rd, Annapolis, 21401

What: SRA's Annual Member Meeting will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28 for a financial update, a review of SRA's work, and a preview of the upcoming year. The meeting will take place at The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers. The meeting is for current SRA members and those who wish to renew or join. RSVP with the link below.

Hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be provided. Check-in and mingling will take place from 6-6:30 p.m. The program will begin promptly at 6:30.

Our important work is only possible due to the generous support of people like you. If you are a current donor - THANK YOU! We welcome your support any time of the year. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining the movement today. Any size donation makes you a member.

HELP RESTORE AND PROTECT THE SEVERN RIVER