In June of 1992, Maryland and Delaware conservation organizations reached across state
lines in a formal agreement to create the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance. Two citizens
groups initiated this effort: the Friends of the Nanticoke River (MD) and the Nanticoke
Watershed Preservation Committee (DE). Maryland and Delaware Departments of Natural
Resources also signed that agreement, as did the National Park Service. Together they
began to develop a vision of protection for the river and the watershed. This task led
them to seek out other interested parties because the input of all watershed interests is necessary
to fully explore the issues of and options for conservation of an entire watershed.
In 1995, the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance decided to establish itself as a nonprofit
organization and become a consortium, i.e. an organization of organizations. This move
ensured financial stability as well as an open door policy, both crucial for the work
that must be done. Many organizations quickly came forward to join the efforts of the
Alliance. Almost forty organizations now belong to the NWA. Our members are made up of
foresters, industry, small business owners, government agencies, main stream environmental
groups, land trusts, realtors, academicians, fishermen, restoration groups, farmers, and
citizen groups.
Since our inception, our volunteer organization has worked with thousands of citizens
to conduct education, research, restoration, and land use planning projects throughout our
watershed. All our projects are conducted in partnership with other organizations. Though
we are small in size and budget, our scope is wide and our multi-faceted focus makes us an
important force in consensus building and in keeping those with different agendas working
together.
A true consortium like ours is a rare thing - there is only one other river
conservation group like ours that we know of in the United States. We believe our work
will have a significant and positive effect on Chesapeake history.
The Nanticoke Watershed Alliance is growing rapidly and partnerships are at the core of
our accomplishments. NWA has conducted several projects in partnership with
other organizations including:
- an American shad restoration project
- a water quality monitoring program
- a canoe trail
- a boater safety education project as a result of a recent study
conducted with the Departments of Natural Resources in Maryland and Delaware
- a proposal project for rural
legacy funds to protect sensitive lands in the watershed
- a project with Wicomico County and
Program Open Space to protect Roaring Point
- a project with DuPont to permanently protect
200 acres along the Nanticoke in Seaford, Delaware
- a project with Wicomico County and all interested parties to collaborate
on rural design standards and an urban services agreement
In addition, our other activities have included:
- co-hosting a shad festival on the banks of the river for the past four years
- distributing an environmentally sensitive yard care guide to
citizens with the help of realtors who have already agreed to give the guide to home
buyers
- planning a demonstration site for bayscaping - a design for native plants
to be used in landscaping (Salisbury Zoo volunteered to be the first
demonstration site)
- continuing to develop our classroom education efforts
- developing our web site
- annually pulling 15 to 30 tons of trash out of the river or nearby woods to help keep our waterways
clean and safe
These projects enhance awareness and appreciation of the Nanticoke, help to prevent
problems of other Chesapeake Bay rivers, and present a model for other river protection
groups. By taking care of our river now we are saving ourselves from the much more
difficult task of restoring it later. As one of our local leaders is fond of saying, "...even keeping something the same is hard work."
The level of conservation action on this river over the next five years will largely
determine the long-term future of this ecosystem. It is this window of opportunity of
which we wish to take advantage. We know education, advocacy, land protection, and
pro-active partnerships can protect our ecosystem. We believe that the lack of proactive
efforts to preserve natural characteristics of a region ultimately leads to destruction of
those attractions and concurrently to the economy of the region and that this unique
coalition will help secure the future environmental and economic health of the watershed.
All of our hard work has not gone unnoticed. In May 1997, we were honored by the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. with the
National Conservation Partnership Award, one of the first 11 received across the country.
We were also honored May 12 of this year by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the
Maryland Petroleum Council as the 1999 recipients of the Tawes Award for a Clean
Environment. Now in its 23rd year, the award is given for outstanding efforts in enhancing
Maryland's environment. The Tawes Award is named in honor of the late Maryland Governor J.
Millard Tawes who headed Maryland from 1959 to 1967. The Tawes Award acknowledges those
who have demonstrated outstanding performance or have come up with innovative ideas or
projects in pollution prevention and containment.
We are proud of this award and plan to use it to attract more attention to our
organization and the work that must be done to keep our river beautiful, safe, and
healthy, and the Delmarva Peninsula a special place to live, work, and play.
For a more technical detailed analysis of the formation of the
Alliance, visit our Case Study page.
