News Along the Severn

February 2025

This newsletter is made possible in part thanks to the generous support of Diamond Sponsor Boatyard Bar & Grill

Restoration Manager's Corner

It's time for an update since I last wrote in November about SRA’s restoration efforts. The biggest change at SRA is our new Restoration Associate, Mollie Boyd, who started late January! You can read more about her below and on our website. Since the publication of the Severn River Action Plan, we have been busy identifying property owners and seeking permissions to pursue the potential projects identified. We also met with Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards living in the Severn and the Save Our Trees group to collaborate on even more projects. If you live in, or manage commercial/industrial property in, either the Weems or the Spa Creek subwatersheds and are interested in reducing the impact of stormwater in your community, please reach out! If you’re not sure which subwatershed you live in, I'm happy to help.

Thanks to your generosity in 2024, SRA submited 17 grant proposals specifically related to restoration. Of these, four were awarded and the eight submitted in December are pending. Importantly, this includes a request for millions of dollars from the Maryland Whole Watershed Fund (there is still time to add your voice for the Severn River). It also includes a proposal to identify new restoration projects in the #4 priority subwatershed, Severn Run Mainstem 1 (see map below).

Looking ahead, there is much to be optimistic about. Our movement to Connect, Restore, and Protect the Severn River is growing every day. Thank you to our new member community Green Acres. I am gratified each time someone reaches out to us about a potential project they would like to see in their neighborhood. Please keep that up!

As always, thanks for all you do for the Severn,

Ben Fertig, Ph.D., CBLP

Restoration Manager

Ben@severnriver.org

Have you met Mollie?

A warm welcome to our newest team member - Mollie Boyd. In the new position of Restoration Associate, Mollie will be developing and implementing outreach initiatives with watershed communities to execute goals of the Severn River Action Plan and associated subwatershed action plans.

You can see her leading volunteer events like invasive species removal, beach and stream cleanups, oyster cage building, and other volunteer-driven actions. Mollie will also be leading environmental education programming and events, both indoors and out in the field. She will be running SRA's water quality monitoring program and helping out with our oyster restoration, including SRA's Marylanders Grow Oysters program.

Meet Mollie

John Wright Speaker Series

Environmental Advocacy on the Federal Level

Presentation summary: Join U.S. Representative Sarah Elfreth as she discusses the Chesapeake Watershed and environmental advocacy at the federal level.

Speaker Bio: Sarah Elfreth broke barriers in 2018, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the Maryland State Senate. Over six years, Sarah built a reputation as one of Maryland's most effective legislators, passing 91 bipartisan bills into law. Her work has focused on issues that directly impact Maryland families, including protecting the Chesapeake Bay.

A proud graduate of Towson University and the Johns Hopkins University, Sarah lives in Annapolis with her dog Ollie, where she enjoys hiking, being on the water, and collecting oyster plates.

In person ONLY at Cafe Mezzanotte.

A recording will be made available after the event.

Recording of January John Wright Speaker Series

Watch last month's JWSS recording with angler Tom Weaver

Volunteer Opportunity

February 22nd, 12-2pm

Brewer Ave off West Street

Let's support Save Our Trees as they take the initial steps in restoring the 11-acre natural area in the middle of the community that filters water flowing into College Creek. Get involved in this exciting restoration project by helping to remove invasive vines compromising mature trees.

In case you missed it...

Photo Credit: Shivaugn Ahern

Weems Creek - Priority #1

Did you see The Baltimore Banner article about Weems Creek? Since you follow us, you may have heard about the Severn River Action Plan (view on our website) funded by a grant SRA secured from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Now, people across the region are seeing how the SRA is putting planning into action.

Read the Article

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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