- by Chris Trumbauer

Posted on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:58:48 EDT

I started as the new West/Rhode Riverkeeper on July 7. Thanks to everyone for their support and well wishes during my first week on the job. I got out on the water a few times – once for a short patrol and once to take part in the weekly water quality monitoring with our dedicated volunteers. I’m looking forward to exploring all the creeks and coves more and more in the future. The West and Rhode Rivers are great treasures, and I will work hard to protect and restore them. I’ll be working closely with Bob Gallagher, our former Riverkeeper and current Executive Director, to make sure that our organization is focusing on the things that will help improve our water quality most. We will also need your help. Please tell us if you see any violations or if you know any opportunities for restoration. You can find my contact information on the home page of our website. Let me know how I can best serve the West and Rhode Rivers!

See you out on the water,

Chris

Posted on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:57:25 EDT

Last week Bob and I went out on the Rhode River so he could show me around. What a beautiful area! Much of the Rhode shoreline is protected, since it is owned by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC). We went up Cadle and Bear Neck Creeks and saw numerous neighborhood beaches and community docks. We also saw a large development under construction. Named "Heron Cove", we could see acres of disturbed earth very close to the shoreline. I'll be keeping an eye on this development to make sure it is in compliance with sediment and erosion control regulations.

If you live on the Mayo peninsula, we would love to have you join West/Rhode Riverkeeper. Please sign up for our newsletter on our website.

See you out on the water,

Chris

Posted on Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:42:25 EDT

I road my bike to work today! 21 miles from Annapolis to Shady Side. It took a little over an hour. I noticed that I felt much more connected to the world I was biking past. I could smell the freshly mowed grass and the honeysuckle as I rode past, and I could also hear the forest sounds of cicadas in the trees. The ride actually wasn't bad - there is a bike lane on Route 2, and a shoulder for most of Muddy Creek Rd (although there was one section between Galesville and Sudley Road that had no shoulder - luckily there was very little traffic). Anyway, since it was a success, I plan to bike in periodically. I encourage you all to look at ways you can reduce your driving, too. Biking is good for you and good for our environment.

Chris

Posted on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:10:29 EDT

We had our first Free Kayaking Thursday tonight. It was a lot of fun - thanks to all the folks for coming out. About 20 people took advantage of the program this week, and were rewarded with a wonderful evening of kayaking. Not counting the 2o minutes during the severe thunderstorm (don't worry - we got everybody off the water), the weather was beautiful and the water was calm. Ospreys circled and herons squawked while a dozen kayaks paddled in Parrish Creek. It was quite a picturesque scene. First-time kayakers mingled with old pros. We're doing it every Thursday in August and September. I hope you can come out and join us!

Posted on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:56:45 EDT

I just got back from vacation in the Outer Banks. I spent most of the time chasing my two-year-old around, but did manage to get a few minutes of relaxing in. The ocean water was the perfect temperature and it was incredibly clear - I could see my feet when the water was up to my neck. I couldn't help but contrast it to the murky water we have grown accustomed to in the West and Rhode Rivers. I hope that one day soon we will see clear water return to our rivers. In the meantime, please do what you can to help - don't fertilize your lawn, do something about your rainwater runoff, and please let me know if you see anyone polluting the rivers.

Summer is almost over - enjoy it while you can!