Virginia Policy Director Pat Felling wrote comments to support the proposed amendments to 4VAC50-60. In the letter, the Conservancy urges the Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Board to adopt the proposed amendments with the phosphorus rules intact, and take a significant step in controlling stormwater pollution. Click here to see a PDF copy of the Conservancy's comments, and contact Pat Felling at felling@potomac.org for more information.

Frederick County (MD) Commissioners voted to continue the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), which offers participants a cost share to vegetate stream banks running through farmland. These streamside buffers protect stream banks from erosion and filter the runoff of fertilizers and chemicals into waterways. there are some local efforts to get more farmers into CREP, which would make them eligible for the easement program. The Monocacy-Catoctin Watershed Alliance, an organization of local watershed professionals, and Potomac Conservancy are devising a plan to promote CREP to more farmers in Frederick County. Click here for the full article.

Potomac Conservancy has joined a select group of organizations invited to sign a joint letter on Chesapeake Treasured Landscapes. The letter, calling to improve the Chesapeake's water quality and protect and restore wildlife habitat, was submitted on Friday, January 8, to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. Click here for more information, or contact Michael Shultz at 410-972-2470.

Potomac Conservancy has been chosen as one of four nature organizations featured in 2009-10 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. Every year, the Catalogue features the Metro area's best and most promising nonprofits. Ninety Catalogue reviewers and staff believe that the Conservancy is one of the finest smaller nonprofits that Greater Washington has to offer! 

The Catalogue's new website makes it easy to browse through the top 50 nonprofits in the area, donate online and send gift cards to friends and coworkers.

 

Every day, we are showered with hundreds of thousands of chemicals. Additionally, more than 1,000 new compounds are introduced annually. Many of these compounds, when acting alone or in tandem with other chemicals, mimic or disrupt the normal functions of the endocrine system.

We hope this report will raise awareness of the presence of endocrine disrupting compounds and spur action to remove them from our water supply before they have a negative impact on present and future generations.

• 2009 State of the River report (pdf )
• Press Release (11/11/09)
• State of the Nation's River 2009 Web Page

Thanks to everyone who collected seeds for Growing Native.  We hope to see you again next year!

Growing Native is a fun, easy way to give back to the environment. If you would like to receive more information about Growing Native and organizing your own collection event, please contact Deanna Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator, at (301) 608-1188, x204, or tricarico@potomac.org. Register your own collection at www.growingnative.org

Potomac Conservancy is pleased to announce our upcoming application for land trust accreditation. A public comment period is now open. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands. Accredited land trusts uphold the public trust and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent. The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how the Conservancy complied with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. Click here for the full list of standards. To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, click here. Comments may also be mailed or faxed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 112 Spring St., Ste. 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; Fax, 518.587.3183. Comments on Potomac Conservancy's applications will be most useful by December 27, 2009.

Our Survivor video was awarded an “Editor’s Pick” at TripFilms.com! This video documents an outdoor skills training day at Minnie's Island.  The day was sponsored with a grant from REI. Many thanks to Jeff Nesmith at Gypsy Creative. Click here for the video:  http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Video-v70142-Potomac_Conservancy-Video.html

Every year, the Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington features the Metro area's best and most promising nonprofits.  Potomac Conservancy has been chosen for inclusion in the 2009-10 Catalogue---one of 4 nature organizations chosen for this honor. Ninety Catalogue reviewers and staff believe that Potomac Conservancy is one of the finest smaller nonprofits that Greater Washington has to offer! Here's the link to the list of this year's Catalogue.  Click here to join the Conservancy today!

The State of the Nation's River report provides an overview and assessment of the condition of the nation's river and offers solutions on how to meet the needs of our populace while maintaining vigorous and healthy lands and waters.

• 2008 State of the River report pdf
• Press Release
• State of the Nation's River 2008 Web Page

• State of the Nation's River 2007 web page
• PDF of 2007 Report

Recent Release: 

• 2008 Annual Report
• The Valley and The Creek, The Timeless Connection between Fort Valley, Virginia, and Passage Creek is now available. Click here to download the pdf (3.32 MB).

Passage Creek Aquatic Community Assessment: The Conservancy, and researchers from Virginia Tech's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife launched a comprehensive study of this North Fork Shendanoah River tributary in 2007. Our report is available here.