News Along the Severn

January 2025

This newsletter is made possible in part thanks to the generous support of Diamond Sponsor Annapolis Cars

Executive Director's Corner

The start of a new year is always exciting for us at SRA because it marks the start of the Maryland legislative session. The legislature convened on January 8 and a number of interesting environmental bills have already been introduced.


The Severn River Association is part of a coalition of Chesapeake region environmental organizations which convenes an annual environmental legislative summit. This year's summit is on Tuesday, January 28 from 6:00-7:30pm. If you are ready to learn about priority legislation for the statewide environmental community, hear from distinguished speakers, network with environmental professionals, legislators, and policy makers, and get fired up for a cleaner Chesapeake Bay, register here. We hope to see you there!

Jesse Iliff

Executive Director

Jesse@severnriver.org

ACTION ALERT - The Severn needs YOUR HELP!

This past December, SRA joined the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County and several of our nonprofit partners in the area to submit a proposal for once-in-a-lifetime funding for restoration of the Severn River. The program, known as the Whole Watershed Fund, will deliver millions of dollars to five tributaries of the state over the next five years. There were nine total proposals submitted, and now the State is fielding public feedback on them. NOW IS THE TIME to raise your voice for the Severn River and ensure that the best river on the bay gets the kind of love it deserves. Please take a moment to visit Whole Watershed Act and Fund and let your voice be heard. 

Comment Here

John Wright Speaker Series

Light Tackle and Fly Fishing on the Severn


Presentation summary: A journey through the Seasons, as Capt Tom Weaver details opportunities and species frequently targeted in the Severn River from Striped Bass, White Perch, Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Puppy Drum and more. 


Speaker Bio: Capt Tom Weaver is a 35 year resident of Annapolis at the mouth of the Severn River, a native of New Zealand who has lived his life on the water and is a life long fisherman. Now a full time Light Tackle and Fly Fishing Guide, he spends many days exploring the nooks and crannies on the Severn River with a fishing rod in hand. He holds the IGFA World Record for the longest Striped Bass caught on the Fly and his clients hold several IGFA World Records caught in the Severn River.

Register

In person ONLY at Cafe Mezzanotte

Request for Qualifications

The Severn River Association (SRA) is issuing a public, competitive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify 3-6 qualified consultants, design firms, and/or construction partners to assist with upland and shoreline restoration projects in the Severn River watershed. Guided by U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procurement standards, SRA aims to ensure ethical, transparent, and responsible use of funds from sources such as the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Maryland state agencies, NOAA, EPA, and private donors.


The selected firms will support SRA’s restoration efforts, including stormwater management, living shorelines, stream and wetland restoration, nature-based septic treatment, and green infrastructure projects. These firms will contribute to subwatershed action planning, design, permitting, and construction. They will also assist in developing grant proposals for funding, with project budgets ranging from $30,000 to $2,000,000. Selected firms will remain qualified contractors for three years and may also compete for separate project-specific requests for proposals (RFPs) and/or future RFQs.


Inquiries should be emailed to Ben Fertig, ben@severnriver.org. Aggregated questions will be posted on SRA’s website as an FAQ.


Responses to this RFQ must be submitted in PDF format via email to Ben Fertig, SRA Restoration Manager, at ben@severnriver.org by 5 p.m. on February 15, 2025.

Read the RFQ

Business Sponsors

Own a business? Love the Severn?


Businesses have the ability to demonstrate their support for a restored and protected river by making a financial investment towards a Thriving Severn River by 2050 through our Business Sponsorship Program.


Benefits include logos in the newsletter, special sponsor social media posts, and more. Deadline for inclusion in 2024 Annual Report is February 28th!

Questions? Email Sarah Winchester

Learn More

In case you missed it...

Maryland Legislation is in Session


SRA is excited to take part in crafting new state laws to protect the Severn River. Stay tuned to our newsletter and social platforms as new bills are introduced and debated through April.


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.



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