There are many opportunities to help the Conservancy achieve its mission in addition to the individual actions listed under Citizen Stewardship. To find out more about these opportunities, contact us at corsicariverconservancy@gmail.com
Help with Cleanups
The Conservancy conducts and supports trash clean ups throughout the watershed and throughout the year. We identify areas in need of clean up for our common efforts and actively seek individuals or groups interested in acting as stream team leaders for a specific road or neighborhood. We provide supplies and coordinate with County and Town officials to pick up our collections. We have adopted responsibility for Watson Road, near the Centreville Wharf, under the Adopt-A-Road program. We also work with local businesses to make sure trash is collected where it is created. To volunteer as a team captain or sign up to adopt a road, contact us at corsicariverconservancy@gmail.com. For information about future clean-ups, look under our Calendar page.
Monitor Bacteria Levels and SAVs
ShoreRivers staff monitors water quality in the Corsica with volunteers taking weekly samples for bacteria level monitoring. Several Corsica River Conservancy Board members are involved in these activities. Volunteer-collected data on submerged aquatic vegetation, or SAVs, begins in May and is shared with the Virginia Institute for Marine Science, which is used by the Chesapeake Bay Program. To be an SAV Watcher, volunteers must have access to their own kayak and be available to monitor their assigned SAV bed at least twice a season. For additional information, please visit www.shorerivers.org.
Plant a Tree
Trees are key to healthy natural streams. They provide numerous essential habitat functions: shade to keep water temperatures down in warm months, leaf litter “food” for aquatic organisms, roots to stabilize stream banks and vegetative cover for wildlife. In general, reduction or loss of riparian trees / stream buffers degrades stream habitat while replacement of trees / natural buffers enhances stream habitat. Trees also add value to home properties. They provide shade to decrease heat effects and important habitat for birds, The Conservancy supports buffer restoration projects and tree planting programs. For example, each spring, the MD Department of Natural Resources “Buffer in a Bag” program provides native trees to homeowners free of charge. For more information, visit https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Documents/MarylandersPlantTrees/BYBWebsite.pdf
Lead a Community Team
As part of our outreach mission, we welcome individuals who are interested in helping newcomers understand the watershed and learn about programs such as BayWise that are available to help implement sustainable practices. Volunteers also lead teams during out spring clean up, for buffer and tree plantings, and in planning and crafting exhibits for the annual Corsica River Day.
Be an Educator
The Conservancy is often called upon to present programs to classrooms from the elementary to the high school level.
Become a Board Member
We are always looking for individuals to assist with programming, communication, and strategies.