Spa Creek Conservancy

I knew Doug from CBF's oyster restoration program, then later on the Bay Program's SAV workgroup. We lost him far too soon.

A Bay Champion Lost CBF mourns the tremendous loss of Doug Myers, Maryland Senior Scientist, staunch environmental advocate, compassionate friend.

Bacteria levels are unsafe in the branch of Spa Creek coming from the Spa Road area. Details available here: https://spacreek.net/about-us/spa-creek-water-testing/spa-creek-bacteria-levels/

Results from water samples taken before Friday morning rain showed high bacteria levels in the shallow headwater areas. Average water temperature is now 85.3 degrees F. More details are available at the link: https://spacreek.net/about-us/spa-creek-water-testing/spa-creek-bacteria-levels/

Water Access Meeting Tuesday night 6-9pm at the Pip Moyer Rec Center. Be there to comment on this plan to expand public water access throughout the city.

The City of Annapolis has released its Draft Water Access Plan, which you can find here: https://www.annapolis.gov/2114/Public-Water-Access-Plan. Feel free to submit comments!

You can also attend in-person community meetings to learn more about the Draft Plan and provide comments at Pip Moyer Recreation Center on June 26 and July 9 from 6PM to 8PM

The plan, developed in cooperation with the National Park Service and US Department of Transportation Volpe Center, helps prioritize steps to improve, enhance, and expand equitable public water access throughout the City.

The students at Bates Middle School have been participating in environmental studies. Here's what one student discovered, "Urban Heat Island or UHI is a city area that's a lot warmer than it should be. UHI is a big problem, but luckily there is a solution. If we plant trees everywhere around Bates Middle School, it will lower the air temperature and act as shade to cool down the area around school. Also, according to the data that Mrs. Carter collected, the average temperature under the trees is 74.7 degrees while the air temperature in the sun is 98.0 degrees! It is so much cooler under the trees, who would want to live in that heat when there is a very simple solution? If we plant more trees, we can lower the temperature at the UHI which will make our city area so much cooler!"
Author: AK.
Illustrations: NC

The results from water collected approximately 12 hours after an inch of rain show why you should not swim in the water until 48 hours after a rain event. Nearly every site that is regularly tested has bacteria levels over the limit for safe swimming. Be aware of thunderstorms expected over the July 4th Holiday and stay out of the water if it rains more than .25"
Details are available here: https://spacreek.net/about-us/spa-creek-water-testing/spa-creek-bacteria-levels/

.3 inches of rain fell less than 24 hours before water samples were taken. Five areas have bacteria levels in excess of healthy limits. In Spa Creek Hawkins Cove, So. Cherry Grove and the Children’s Museum have unhealthy limits. The headwaters in Back Creek and at the end of Burnside, bacteria levels are high.
More details can be found here: https://spacreek.net/about-us/spa-creek-water-testing/spa-creek-bacteria-levels/

June 21, the average water temperature in Spa Creek is 79 degrees F. Bacteria levels are within safe levels except the shallow areas around the two footbridges, one at the Children's Museum and the other at S. Cherry Grove.
More details available here: https://spacreek.net/about-us/spa-creek-water-testing/spa-creek-bacteria-levels/

The sixth graders at Bates Middle School studied Urban Heat Islands this year. With extreme temperatures coming this weekend and a 23.3% difference between treeless areas and shade, here is what one student wants you to know.
Titled: Urban Flames.

The problem is that Urban Heat Islands (UHI) are heating up the water and surrounding areas. It’s also affecting native species like the striped Killifish. The way to help solve the issue is by planting more native trees, using lighter paint colors on buildings to reflect light instead of absorb, and use green roofs.

Green roofs are buildings that have plants/gardens on its roof. Our class collected 15 data points that proved that the air temperature in direct sunlight had an average of 98 degrees F and the air temperature in shade / under a tree was 74.7 degrees. That’s a 23.3% difference! This causes most wildlife to want to be in the shade.

Take a look at this Water Access Plan for Annapolis and leave nay comments you might have.

Public water access being discussed.

The City of Annapolis has released its Draft Water Access Plan, which you can find here: https://www.annapolis.gov/2114/Public-Water-Access-Plan. Feel free to submit comments!

You can also attend in-person community meetings to learn more about the Draft Plan and provide comments at Pip Moyer Recreation Center on June 26 and July 9 from 6PM to 8PM

The plan, developed in cooperation with the National Park Service and US Department of Transportation Volpe Center, helps prioritize steps to improve, enhance, and expand equitable public water access throughout the City.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 24th!
Kids on the Creek is back for 2024 at the Eastport Yacht Club. There will be free boat rides to learn about Spa Creek, free paddleboards and kayaks to try, environmental games, demonstrations, and food for all.

This an entirely free event to encourage kids to get out on the creek, learn about it, enjoy it, and protect it.

Fund raiser for Spa Creek Conservancy will help pay for weekly water quality testing. https://gotab.io/loc/lunablu/menu/virtual-charity-wine-dinner-06-30

Bacteria levels in Spa and Back Creeks are within safe levels except near the footbridge at the Chesapeake Children's Museum and across South Cherry Grove. See the details here: https://spacreek.net/about-us/spa-creek-water-testing/spa-creek-bacteria-levels/

Eat & Drink for a great cause!
Virtual Charity Wine Dinner
Sunday, June 30 @ 6pm

10% of each dinner & 100% of our cash wine raffle will be donated to The Spa Creek Conservancy
$150 for 2 ( $95.00 for 1)
You will receive 4- 750 ml bottles of wine
Pick up between 4 & 5 the virtual call will begin at 6pm

Please email Erin any question and for menu changes, gluten free and/or vegetarian options [email protected]
Make your reservations here: https://gotab.io/loc/lunablu/menu/virtual-charity-wine-dinner-06-30

After two storms and an inch of rain, bacteria levels in Spa and Back Creek are elevated in the more shallow areas. The Health Dept recommends staying out of the water for 48 hours after the rain. That would be late evening on Saturday, June 8. See the details here: https://spacreek.net/about-us/spa-creek-water-testing/spa-creek-bacteria-levels/

Teaching kids about the creek will lead to life-long environmentalists who will spread their knowledge. Your donation helps fund water quality testing and educational programs. https://spacreek.net/donate-to-spa-creek-conservancy/

Water quality testing in Spa and Back Creeks are funded 100% by donations. Your contribution is much appreciated and will ensure that this program is able to continue. https://spacreek.net/donate-to-spa-creek-conservancy/

You can help support clean water in Spa Creek with a donation to support the water testing program during GreenGive June 4-5. https://spacreek.net/donate-to-spa-creek-conservancy/

Please consider a donation to Spa Creek Conservancy during GreenGive. Donations are used to fund water quality testing of Spa and Back Creeks.

GreenGive kicks off today at 5pm! 🌱

Our partner organizations do BIG things for a greener future in Anne Arundel County and we have BIG goals this GreenGive. We hope you'll consider donating to one of our 13 incredible partners to help us reach our $200,000 collective fundraising goal!

Visit greengive.org/donate to learn more and find an organization that's right for your giving.💚💚💚

Annapolis Green, Arundel Rivers Federation, Good Neighbors Group, Scenic Rivers Land Trust, St. Luke's Restoration of Nature, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Unity Gardens, Anne Arundel County Watershed Stewards Academy, Crownsville Conservancy, Inc, Wild Kid Acres, Maryland Reentry Resource Center, Severn River Association, Spa Creek Conservancy

Big week ahead for us & our 12 other GreenGive partners. Your support in our mid-year fundraiser June 4 & 5, means the 🌎 to Spa Creek Conservancy and all of the critters (including the human ones) who live in the local Watersheds. https://spacreek.net/donate-to-spa-creek-conservancy/

Stop by the GreenGive tent during First Sunday Arts Festival today, Sunday June 2.

GreenGive partner organizations will kick off the week of GreenGive this Sunday, June 2 at First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis! Come out to the festival and be sure to stop by the GreenGive tent located in People's Park on Calvert Street. This is a great opportunity to get to know the 13 GreenGive partners and get ready to give for the greener good on June 4th & 5th!

Learn more at www.greengive.org

Nothing too surprising in Spa and Back Creek water quality this week. There had been .25 inches of rain, but it didn't affect most sites too much. Typical issues at Cherry Grove, Chesapeake Children's Museum and Back Creek Headwaters. Data at https://sites.google.com/view/aaccecoperationclearwater/spa-and-back-creeks?authuser=0

Met this environmentalist while gathering samples for weekly water quality testing in Spa Creek.
GreenGive partner organizations, including Spa Creek Conservancy, will kick off the week of GreenGive this Sunday, June 2 at First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis! Come out to the festival and be sure to stop by the GreenGive tent located in People's Park on Calvert Street. This is a great opportunity to get to know the 13 GreenGive partners and get ready to give for the greener good on June 4th & 5th!
Learn more at www.greengive.org

High bacteria levels in the water near the Children's Museum Footbridge, S. Cherry Grove Footbridge, and Back Creek near the SPCA. Water clarity is bad everywhere and initial chlorophyll suggests a potential bloom.
Data details available here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AZdVBfN7kae3P-pcGb3fmLDxc3XbutVS/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108103870528883215845&rtpof=true&sd=true

Boat B&B’s on Spa Creek? That's what is being discussed tonight, May 21, 7pm at the Maritime Advisory Board virtual meeting. Is the water quality in Spa Creek being considered as they make this decision?
Watch the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/c/annapolisboardsandcommissions
Leave Comments here: https://www.annapolis.gov/515/Boards-Commissions-Meeting-Info

State of Spa Creek Monday 5/20 at 6:30pm. Sign up here to receive the Zoom link: https://spacreek.net/state-of-spa-creek-2024/

Weekly water quality testing began this week and will run through mid-Sept. There are some high bacterial values at the typical sites: So. Cherry Grove, Chesapeake Children's Museum, Hawkins Cove, and the headwaters of Back Creek. The water is also dark, and initial chlorophyll readings suggest an algae bloom.

Also, a review of the trends from 2023 will be Monday evening, May 20th, at 630 pm. You can register for the virtual event at https://spacreek.net/state-of-spa-creek-2024/

Get rid of all standing water to help reduce the mosquito population.