As our team reflects upon the year we offer a sampling of bright spots –signs of promise- that our work is making a difference thanks to your support.  

Ed Merrifield, Potomac Riverkeeper: “We have tripled the number of Law firms volunteering their time and resources on stopping pollution in the Potomac and Shenandoah. This is enabling us to better defend the Clean Water Act and other related regulations and hold polluters increasingly accountable.

Alan Lehman, Agriculture Project Manager: “This Fall, we logged our 1,000th farm as part of our Green Farms Clean Rivers Program. This means we’ve assessed over 1,000 farms for any problems that cause river pollution. 48 of these farms have since fixed or have plans to fix problems following our monitoring visits and/or actions. That’s progress!”  

Jeff Kelble, Shenandoah Riverkeeper: “Earlier in the year we reported 32 ‘piles’ of poultry manure in the valley that were clearly in noncompliance and were threatening the river.  So what’s the good news about that? In our more recent monitoring efforts, it has been difficult to even find non-compliant piles. This suggests that farms are improving. We also filed 12 agricultural complaints with local regulators, documenting destructive farming behaviors that were so serious they warranted direct action. 100% of these complaints were ‘founded’ which means the state agreed and is consequently requiring clean-ups of the violators.”

Whit Overstreet, Communications & Outreach Manager: “In July I joined Member Joe Hage on a 132 mile paddle from Sycamore Island to St. Catherine’s Island. It was an arduous but constantly thrilling journey that we were able to share with Members in real-time through our social media as well as in a series of speaking events throughout the DC metropolitan area. It’s been a great way to bring new audiences and river-lovers together to help celebrate and protect the Potomac.”

Ted Adams, Director of Pure Potomac: “The Prescription Drug Take Back Program was a highlight as it was a great way for members to directly impact the health river.  We also worked with long-time and new business and community partners to get the word out. Collectively 133 million tons of pharmaceuticals were dropped off across the country during this one day event.”  

Robin Broder, Vice President: “We have a 100% renewal-rate with our current funders, which means that our funders believe in the impact that we are having in our watershed.

Sarah Sorenson, Production & Membership Coordinator: “We doubled our Facebook and Twitter users since last year which means more people are engaged in issues related to stopping pollution in our watershed. We also raised over $6,000 through a one day online giving campaign this fall with Give to the Max Day.”

Brent Walls, Upper Potomac River Manager: “When we were able to help mobilize the community and bring in experienced legal and technical support to fight a quarry permit in Gerrardstown, WV we really bossted this community's efforts to prevent river pollution. The seven-person legal team present at the hearing also captured the attention of state regulators! Regulators and residents are beginning to realize that we are here to protect the river and we are not going to back down."

We need your help to keep creating more bright spots!
These staff “Bright Spots” add up to meaningful impact on the health of our rivers, just as your donation, combined with others, allows us to do what we do best – stop pollution from entering your rivers and streams. Our goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of the year and we are 1/3 of the way there. With your continued support we can reach our goal and continue this important work.

Make a donation now!