NNWB Activities Summary 2009

Our mission :

To protect, promote, and restore the water quality, natural habitat, and ecological well-being of the Northwest Branch watershed through environmental education and direct action, and to enlist broad-based public participation in these goals and activities.

What did we do in 2009 to advance this mission?

• We educated ourselves and others:
  • We hosted 4 educational programs at White Oak Library:
    • Feb. 3: John Hench, Chief, Park Planning & Stewardship Division, MNCPPC, spoke on balancing stewardship and recreation in Montgomery County parks.
    • Apr. 7: Alan Pultyniewicz, Recycling Coordinator, DEP, showed us what can and cannot be recycled under Montgomery County's expanded recycling program.
    • June 2: Andy Fellows, Chesapeake Regional Director, Clean Water Action, led a discussion of opportunities in 2009 and 2010 to increase our effectiveness by engaging communities.
    • Aug. 4: Mr. Pultyniewicz came again, with Susanne Wiggins, to reveal the secrets of composting, both outside in the compost pile and inside using worms.
  • We sponsored educational hikes for children (9/12, 10/31)
  • Our Green Team evaluated 20 yards in the Woodmoor neighborhood, made recommendations as to how to make the yards NWB-friendly, and educated the neighborhood on the ill effects of stormwater runoff.
• We participated in training by other organizations relevant to our mission:
  • Anacostia Restoration Partnership Advocacy Training (3/7)
  • Chesapeake Watershed Forum, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, organizational development (10/10)
• We took direct actions:
  • Our Green Team built two raingardens in Woodmoor.
  • We cleaned the NWB at 3 sites in cooperation with the Alice Ferguson Foundation (4/4).
  • We participated in the Anacostia Watershed Society's cleanup at 1 site (4/18).
  • We held a fall cleanup at 3 sites: Kemp Mill, Burnt Mills, & W. Hyattsville Metro (10/24).
  • We participated in the Parks Department's Garlic Mustard Challenge (4/26).
  • We marked stormdrains in two communities.
  • We participated in the Northwood H.S. corridor cleanup.
• We sponsored activities by others related to our mission:
  • Green Matters Symposium, "Waterwise Landscapes" (2/27)
• We advocated on issues:
  • Wrote to Council demanding public hearing on proposal to put Parks Dept programs under Rec Dept. (2/24)
  • Testified before Board of Ed & Council in opposition to replacing natural grass fields with plastic and rubber synthetic turf
  • Testified before Planning Board in favor of environmental disposition of Sligo Creek Golf Course property.
  • Participated in Stormwater Partners meeting with heads of DEP and DPS re MC's proposed regs to implement MD Stormwater Act of 2007.
  • Testified before Planning Board demanding reassessment of planned stormwater controls and imperviousness level in Clarksburg, Stage 4, to save 10-Mile Creek (7/7)
  • Sent a letter supporting a large addition to McKnew Local Park using Legacy Open Space funds.
• We took steps toward becoming a more effective organization:
  • Joined the River Network, a source for info on organization, fundraising, etc.
  • Gained organizational and budget advice from an experienced watershed advocate.
  • Developed an action plan for 2010 (still in process) with committees that need volunteers! Outreach/Membership, Program, Finance/Fundraising, and Advocacy
  • Disseminated our very first membership solicitation (e-mail).
  • Contracted for a database service with e-mail capability and training.
  • Contracted with Paypal for on-line payment.
• We had fun!

How well did our activities advance our mission? What are the major causes of the decline of the NWB? Are we addressing them as well as we could? Is this a good mix and balance of activities? Should we aim for more of the same, or alter course? If you have suggestions, please send them via the website to "president." Thanks! And please consider membership in Neighbors of the Northwest Branch. Just push the Donate button on the homepage.