May eNews

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Assateague Coastal Trust, a member of the global Waterkeeper Alliance movement, hosts the Assateague COASTKEEPER, working to assure our communities have access to swimmable, fishable and drinkable water. For over 50 years ACT has been working arm in arm with diverse community partners to protect and defend the health of Delmarva’s coastal waters through advocacy, education, science and the enforcement of just and equitable clean water laws.

From The Helm

I’m very excited about joining the ACT team and looking forward to meeting all of you at the great events we have coming up this summer. We’re working on some additions to our current activities, so keep an eye on our website and newsletters for more information.

We know how busy Spring can be, with yard clean up, spring cleaning and school activities, and the ACT Spring Newsletter may still be your desk to read late. Please know ACT is also gearing up for a busy summer of water quality monitoring.

Your Spring donation will help us keep the Coastkeeper boat on water patrols, as well as collecting data and water samples. It will help our Coastkeeper attend important community meetings, so please make that spring commitment to ACT by using this link https://bit.ly/3MSDJjr or you can send a check in the envelope enclosed in your ACT Spring Newsletter. Thank you for being part of our team and keeping our waterways swimmable and fishable.

Yours truly, a fellow defender of our coastal waters,
Brenda

Assateague COASTKEEPER Gabby Ross, is an on-the-water advocate who patrols and protects the Maryland and Northern Virginia Eastern Shore coastal bays, standing up to polluters, and granting everyone’s right to clean water. Working arm in arm with diverse community partners, our Coastkeeper protects and defends the health of Delmarva’s coastal waters through advocacy, education, science, and the enforcement of just and equitable clean water laws.
Follow her on Facebook HERE.

From the Coastkeeper's Desk:

ACT submitted testimony this year in favor to add another 80 acres to Pocomoke State Forest for a new elevated trail connecting the town of Snow Hill and Pocomoke State Park. This original proposal was heard on October 28th, 2020 and was signed into law on April 11th by Gov. Larry Hogan. The new trail system will be a collaborative effort between The Maryland Forest Service, Maryland Park Service and the town of Snow Hill. ACT is looking forward to this new addition, so that locals and visitors can enjoy one of the most scenic rivers on the shore. Thank you Sen. Mary Beth Corozza, R-38, Worcester County for sponsoring this bill this year!

ACT’s Tidal Waters Monitoring Season Begins May 26

Our Tidal Waters Monitoring Program begins Thursday, May 26th. We’re back on the water every week and monitoring current conditions on our local waterways. Be sure to continue to check our Tidal Waters Monitoring Program as data and sample results for sites throughout the coastal bays are posted weekly. If you’re looking for a quick way to monitor bacteria levels (enterococcus) at our sample sites, we use the Swim Guide app. An easy to use tool that identifies sample site conditions utilizing a simple color code system.

Have you checked out the live data coming in from the Pocomoke River? It’s available at MonitorMyWatershed.org. This real time data is made possible with data stations currently deployed at four sites along the Pocomoke (Snow Hill, Milburn Landing, Rehoboth, and Shelltown). The data stations were installed this past October as part of a study being carried out by Stroud Water Research Center. ACT is looking forward to incorporating these type of data stations into a water monitoring network that will provide a valuable dataset of water quality indicators in our areas coastal waterways. To learn more about the collaborative project between ACT, Shore Rivers, and Stroud, visit our monitoring page!

ACT's 23rd Annual Native Plant Sale

We’re just a few days away from the Native Plant Sale! Each Spring we always look forward to this long-standing traditional event, and we’re excited to hold this year's sale at our new office location at 10959 Worcester Hwy. in Berlin.

Join us Saturday May 7th from 8 am – 1 pm to peruse our selection of sun and shade pollinators and organic herbs and veggies. The forecast on the 7th is not looking good so we’re moving the plant sale indoors. Come in to pick pre-orders and shop.

If you didn’t get to order in advance, you’re in luck. We have a great selection of plants available for sale including, Tickseed, Milkweed, Blue Flag Iris and Blazing Star.

Not sure what to put in the ground this year, need some gardening and ground prep tips? Email Billy Weiland at billy@actforbays.org with questions and we’d be happy to help you get started.

What: Assateague Coastal Trust’s 23rd Annual Native Plant Sale
When: Saturday, May 7th
Time: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Assateague Coastal Trust Office (10959 Worcester Hwy. Berlin, MD)

Teen Nature Explorers Summer Camp July 5th – 8th

Assateague Coastal Trust’s Coast Kids program will run a four-day teen day camp July 5th – 8th this summer. Participants will explore several landmark locations throughout the coastal watershed for an in depth, science-based camp.

Registered participants will have the opportunity to learn about water quality monitoring, benthic community studies, Assateague Island history and coastal geology, kayaking, and birding while exploring some of the waterways throughout Worcester County.

The Nature Explorers Camp is a day camp for ages 13 – 16. Due to limited space, registration is required. Thanks to a generous donation, two scholarships for teenagers from low-income, minority families are available.

The camp will run each day, July 5th – 8th, from 9:00 am – 1:30 pm. Additional information, including outdoor classroom locations, cost, and registration is available at ActForBays.org/coastkids-summercamp.

Please email Coast Kids director, Verena Chase, at coastkids@actforbays.org with questions.

Coast Kids Upcoming Events

Join us on Saturday, May 14th from 10 am – 11: 30 am at the Taylor House Museum for a pollinator garden planting. The Taylor House Museum has a long bee - friendly history. They even rescued a honeybee colony which had been nesting in the roof of the Taylor House for many years. Last fall, Coast Kids began the initial phase of a pollinator garden. This Spring, we are ready to finish the project by planting flowering perennials that will serve a healthy population of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Further details and directions are available at ActForBays.org/coastkids-events.

TOUR II - Recap

Assateague Coastal Trust’s Tour II Down River Paddle was a huge success. ACT would like to thank everyone that joined us earlier this month for the second paddle of our Delmarva Exploration Series. We also want to give a shout out to Pocomoke River Canoe Company for helping us make Tour II possible. We’re looking forward to Tour III in the near future, stay tuned!

ACT Celebrates Earth Day at the Salisbury Zoo and
Assateague State Park’s Pollinator Festival (April 23rd)