ShoreRivers

06/02/2026

On a May day 20 degrees hotter than average, Easton High School’s AP Environmental Science class joined us at Martinak State Park for a field trip. Our goal? Investigate the ways that climate change will impact our Eastern Shore rivers and think of climate solutions that can protect our waterways and the communities alongside them.

These environmentally minded students know that it’s important that we protect people and waterways from pollution and sea level rise. As they had already covered climate change science in class, this field trip helped connect the dots between global patterns and impacts on the Eastern Shore. Canoeing and fishing were our avenues of investigation, which made this a particularly fun way to wrap up the school year. We also dedicated time to exploring and discussing solutions to climate change, including brainstorming ways for students to take action in their school communities.

Thanks go to Martinak State Park and Go Fishing Maryland for their support, and to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and their Go Fish Maryland program for their help and use of their fishing trailer!

05/31/2026

May is Maryland Native Plant month! Plants native to our region have adapted over tens of thousands of years to the weather and soil conditions right here on the eastern shore. That means they are uniquely capable of thriving here without a lot of fuss. (Think less fertilizer washing off into our creeks and rivers.)

To find a whole list of plants that will thrive in your yard, check out the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s great plant search tool. Be sure to check the box next to “Coastal Plain” under “region” in the search criteria. Plants that are adapted to grow in the mountainous areas of Maryland won’t necessarily thrive here on the shore!

One of the easiest ways for us to reduce our pollution contribution to the Chesapeake Bay is to replace some of our lawn and typical landscapes with native plants. Native plants have occurred in our region for hundreds of years and are accustomed to local sun, soil, and climate.

05/30/2026

Looking for something to do in Cambridge next weekend?

05/29/2026

Happy Friday! It looks like a sunny weekend is on the horizon, so make sure you check the results from your favorite spot before heading out for some fun on our local rivers and creeks!

Learn more: shorerivers.org/swim

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Please note that there are inherent risks associated with open water swimming and recreational contact including, but not limited to, bacterial infections. Bacteria levels can change, particularly as a result of significant rain events (>1"). Always rinse off after swimming in the river, never swim with open wounds, and avoid water contact for 24–48 hours after a significant rain event. ShoreRivers uses the standardized EPA criteria of 104 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/100ml for collecting and analyzing bacteria samples. Anything higher than 104CFU is a failing sample, and anything below 104CFU is a passing sample. Please also note that not all test sites are designated swimming areas!

05/28/2026

....And just like that, our spring tree planting season has come to an end! This spring, our Tree the Shore Program planted a total of 134 trees in towns across our watersheds and trained eight new tree stewards. We'd like to thank the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for funding these tree plantings. Special thanks also go to our volunteers and our contractor, Bluegrass Landscaping, for getting these trees in the ground! If you would like to apply for a free tree for your residential property, fill out the form on our website under Our Work > Tree the Shore!

In addition, our Ag & Restoration Department staff facilitated a total of 7 acres of tree plantings in Talbot, Wicomico, and Caroline counties — that is a total of 1,981 trees! These tree plantings will improve the health of our waterways by reducing nutrient and sediment loss from active fields while also providing habitat to a wide range of local species. Together, these three plantings will prevent 512.78 lbs. of nitrogen, 15.53 lbs. of phosphorus, and 9,621.15 lbs. of total suspended solids from entering our waterways each year. If you'd like to install trees on your agricultural property, fill out the form on ShoreRivers website under Our Work > Restoration. Thank go to Maryland DNR and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for funding these three plantings and our contractors at Delaware Grading Services and Chris Wood for installing them!

05/28/2026

Looking to re-energize your home? We're so grateful to Unity Landscape Design/Build for their donation to this year's Solstice Auction — up to 25 hours of professional consultation services for a native garden or shoreline design! We love a river-friendly property, and this is a great chance to bid on services to make yours incredible.

Learn more about this annual event — proceeds from which directly support ShoreRivers’ work for thriving waterways cherished by all communities — and secure your spot at: https://www.shorerivers.org/event/solstice2026

05/26/2026

Please help us welcome Faith Walstrum, our 2026 Elizabeth Brown Memorial Intern, to the ShoreRivers team for the summer!

05/26/2026

Our expeditions are filling fast! We've had a great time so far exploring our communities and our waterways, and spaces are limited in our remaining offerings.

All expeditions are being offered to participants for FREE this year thanks to grant funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the National Park Service's Chesapeake Gateways Program — secure your spot today at: shorerivers.org/events