Partners of the Wicomico River and Watershed
There are many organizations and groups committed to helping conserve the Wicomico River and its watershed. Below are brief descriptions and links to partners of the Wicomico and what they are doing to help.
The Wicomico Creekwatchers is a citizen run group of volunteers started in 2002 that takes water quality samples from 25 different parts of the river and creates an annual monitoring report which is available for the public to view. They test for nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment within the Wicomico River. They are always in need of more volunteers. To learn more click on the Wicomico Creekwatchers picture above.
Wicomico Environmental Trust (WET) is a grassroots nonprofit organization that works towards conserving the Wicomico River and the Wicomico Watershed. They offer advice and environmental expertise during city and county meetings for the Wicomico county Watershed Implementation Plan and are currently working on the Wicomico River Watershed Management Plan. Membership to WET is inexpensive and you will receive their newsletter which has up to date news about environmental issues in Wicomico County. They also organize many paddle days each year. To learn more click on the WET picture above.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that strives to save the Chesapeake Bay through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. They work with the tributary rivers of the Chesapeake Bay including the Wicomico River and help provide funding and volunteers for many projects. They work in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington D.C, and Virginia. Although they do not have a local office in Salisbury, their Eastern Shore office is located in Easton, MD. To learn more click on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation picture above.
The Wicomico River Project began in 2010 with the goal of reducing levels of trash, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment in the Wicomico River. The project has strong leadership from City of Salisbury Mayor James Ireton along with many other partners. The Wicomico River Project included monthly meetings in the beginning and has led to public education of the need to reduce pollution, support of City efforts to institute a storm water utility fee, and placement of over 100 storm water inlet interceptors. Click on the picture above to go to the Mayors Office website.
The Salisbury University Environmental Studies Department is usually involved in everything from having professors help with water quality testing for the CreekWatchers to helping to organize a class to create this website. The students and faculty are very active in the Wicomico River and its watershed and have lots of knowledge on current issues and events pertaining to the river. To learn more click on the SU Environmental Department picture above.
The Lower Shore Land Trust is a non-profit organization based in Berlin Maryland but participates in Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester Counties. They work on conserving land and waterways for the enjoyment of landowners and communities. They help landowners explore options if they want to conserve their land for future generations. To learn more click on the Lower Shore Land Trust picture above.
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The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Arts offers environmental education for adults, families, children, and schools. They have many free art sessions for kids, carving classes for adults, and field trip opportunities for schools. Located right on the Wicomico River, there are always ducks, birds, and waterfowl around the museum. To learn more about their education programs click on the picture above or visit things to do.
The Salisbury Zoo is located right along the Wicomico River and provides education about classification, adaptation, habitat and natural resource
conservation. They use the animals in the Zoo to help people get hands on experience with these topics. The zoo is free although donations are accepted. This is a great place to learn about many different native and non-native species up close. For more information click on the picture above or visit things to do. Pemberton Historical Park has nature and environmental education taught by park naturalists and rangers. They also offer summer camps for children. There are walking and hiking trails around the 262 acre property that will allow you to experience native flora and fauna of Delmarva and will bring you along fresh water ponds and tidal marshes of the Wicomico River. For more information click on the picture above or visit things to do.
The Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center sits on over 500 acres of preserved land thanks to Mr. Hazel who was an avid sportsman and hunter. Through his generosity, HODC is made available to scout and youth groups at no cost to allow them to experience the beauty of nature. This property also has a lively bunch of endangered Delmarva fox squirrels living on it. To learn more about Hazel outdoor Discovery Center click on the picture above.
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