How is the river doing? Potomac Conservancy seeks to answer this fundamental question in its 2013 State of the Nation's River Report. The report evaluates key indicators including pollution, fish, land use, people and habitat, to give an in-depth look at the river's health. Download your copy of the 2013 Report and find out why the river receives an overall C grade.

In October 2013, Potomac Conservancy’s Land Protection team closed an easement on Half Moon, permanently protecting 288 acres in Frederick County (VA). Boasting pristine forests and working farmland in the Cedar Creek watershed, Half Moon helps preserve local and regional stream health as the waters of Cedar Creek meander into the Shenandoah River and ultimately flow into the Potomac.

Tracy Lind joined Potomac Conservancy in November 2013 as our Stewardship Specialist.  Tracy is charged with conducting annual monitoring visits on the Conservancy's 76 conservation easement properties in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. In this way, Tracy ensures landowners are complying with land use restrictions as detailed in their easement agreement.  Working alongside Land Protection Manager, Jed Rau, Tracy’s stewardship expertise helps increase the pace of land protection and ensures the Potomac’s highlands remain verdant and vibrant for generations to come.

In October 2013, the Venskoske family closed an easement on Sunny Acres, a 183-acre easement (primarily agricultural) in the Back Creek watershed that is contiguous with three existing Potomac Conservancy easements. Together, these four properties form a green hub that extends over 600 acres of protected land!

If you own farmland in the Frederick, Shenandoah or Loudoun Counties Virginia or Berkeley or Jefferson Counties, West Virginia but do not live on or operate your land, you may be eligible for a new free conservation service.

Chesapeake Bay Journal helps spread the work about Potomac Conservancy's Non-operator Landowner Advisor program and how it's helping to enhance working lands in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.  The picture, featuring the Armstrongs and Advisor Joe Thompson, was taken by Chesapeake Bay Journal photographer Dave Harp.

October 20, 2013

Thanks for jamming with Potomac Conservancy! Hundreds of new and old friends helped celebrate the Potomac at our 6th annual Potomac River Jam. We had a blast hosting this year's event in the historic district of Takoma Park, MD, where friends of all ages came together to enjoy free give aways, children's activities and live music!

September 28, 2013

Potomac Conservancy's own Aimee Weldon and Joe Thompson presented a conservation workshop at the 2013 Chesapeake Watershed Forum, hosted by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.  Participants learned about innovate outreach techniques to engage non-operater landowners in high-impact conservation initiatives.

September 28, 2013

We give a big thanks to the 80 volunteers who came out to celebrate National Public Lands Day! Volunteers helped remove trash and invasive plants from the shores of the Potomac at Fletcher's Cove and the River Center in the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

September 9, 2013

Potomac Conservancy is excited to welcome our newest team member, Jonathan Wood! As the Senior Director of Development, Jonathan is charged with leading fundraising operations and overseeing the Conservancy's growth campaign. Jonathan will help the Conservancy expand efforts to connect with our region's most ardent river champions.

September 1, 2013

We're excited to welcome Rebecca Long as our 2013-14 Chesapeake Conservation Corps Volunteer! Rebecca will coordinate our volunteer stewardship activities, helping to connect thousands of people to the Potomac's shores! Her year-long position is made possible through the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

August 20, 2013

U.S. Interior Secretary, Sally Jewell, named Potomac Conservancy President, Hedrick Belin, to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Advisory Council.

July 2013

YOU DID IT! River Advocates, it's time to give yourself a big pat on the back! Montgomery County Council passed two bills to protect urban tree canopy in the county - the Roadside Trees Bill and the Tree Canopy Conservation Bill. 

Our supporters help us safeguard lands critical to the Potomac's water quality. Officially closed in July 2013, our latest conservation easement permanently protects more than 133 acres of agricultural and forested land in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. To date, the Conservancy has permanently protected more than 12,500 acres of the Potomac's lands!