A Day in the Life: Anna Mudd, our Senior Director of Policy
/In love with both nature and politics, a career in environmental advocacy was a no-brainer for this Maryland native
photo courtesy of anna mudd
***This story is part of a series that offers a behind-the-scenes look at Potomac Conservancy’s amazing team of local clean water leaders. Meet your Potomac River defenders!***
Anna Mudd is Potomac Conservancy’s Senior Director of Policy. A native of Charles County, Maryland, she spent much of her childhood swimming and fishing in the Potomac River. Now, she takes joy in kayaking and exploring local trails with her three-year-old son. Her love of the outdoors and longtime passion for politics eventually led her to pursue a career in environmental policy.
Before joining Team Potomac in November 2022, she spent several years working in local and state government as well as non-profit advocacy at Clean Water Action, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign.
At the Conservancy, Anna advocates for public policies that prioritize the nexus of clean water and environmental justice in both Maryland and Virginia. Much of her focus is on protecting our community’s natural defenses against polluted runoff, the fastest-growing source of pollution to the Potomac River. She fights for laws that conserve forests, promote common-sense growth, and support river-friendly farming.
She interacts with elected officials, relevant government agencies, and other decision-makers, and also serves as the primary liaison with partner organizations and coalitions in the environmental policy space.
Read on to see what she’s currently working on and how you can get involved!
A multi-level approach to saving trees and clean water
a maryland trail. photo courtsy of pixabay
Anna's job is incredibly varied. “Every day is different, which is why I love my job so much!”
A good portion of her time is spent on coordinating with coalition partners and elected officials and discussing potential legislative solutions to environmental issues facing the Potomac River region.
Since the Maryland General Assembly is currently in session in Annapolis, Anna’s attention has largely been turned toward statewide policies. Right now, she is laser-focused on advocating for legislation that would strengthen Maryland’s existing forest conservation laws on the state and local level.
The State of Maryland continues to lose many acres of forest a year due to weak forest conservation laws that allow for development to take full advantage of loopholes in the law. It is critical we advocate for the strongest possible forest conservation laws to protect existing high-priority forests as well as replant the forests—and not just individual trees—that we’ve already lost.
As the most common-sense and affordable nature-based solution for water and air pollution, loss of habitat, as well as the climate crisis, healthy forests are vital for the well-being of our communities. They need our voices now more than ever!
After the disappointing outcome of Montgomery County Council’s legislative session last year where an updated forest conservation law has not been introduced, Anna’s advocacy efforts now target both county- and state-level policies to ensure the best protections possible for our forests.
Partnerships is how we do it!
maryland state house in annapolis. photo courtesy of pixabay
On any given day during the legislative session (which runs now through April 10), Anna is busy meeting with legislators in Annapolis to build support for and discuss language for high-priority forest protection laws. In addition, she’s working with her Potomac Conservancy colleagues as well as coalition partners to make sure the public is informed about our progress.
Once this year’s legislative session is over, Anna will pivot to developing the Conservancy’s long-term strategic advocacy plan and work on expanding our Virginia policy program in the spring and summer.
Environmental advocacy is a serious but rewarding business, and Anna is up for every single bit of it. It requires a lot of research and strategic planning as well as a great deal of relationship building—which is Anna’s favorite!
“I love working in coalition with other advocacy groups. Every organization brings a unique perspective to the environmental policy space, and I really value these relationships. I get to work with people from all sorts of backgrounds, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to work together towards a common goal—especially one that impacts us all, like clean water!”
And even though policy staffers and lobbyists might have a mixed reputation here in the DC metro region, Anna says that there are a lot of good people working to make positive changes for our communities on the state, local and federal level.
“It truly makes me feel hopeful for our future, and I want others to feel hopeful too! I know it might sound like a cliché, but together, we can make an impact.”
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