A newcomer to the area made a kayak trip up the South Fork of the Tred Avon River under Oxford road and to the culvert running under the Easton Parkway and decided this was an unbelievably beautiful trip. Also when kayaking the North Fork, he found it attractive. Marring the beauty, especially where the North Fork goes under St Michael road, was a very dense accumulation of litter. As a method of increasing awareness of the attractiveness of the Tred Avon and a means to beautify it, a group of environmental activists formed the River Appreciation Group and organized RAD PAD.
The Irish Crab Pub, at Easton Point Marina, became the meeting place. The date and the time were set to correspond with high tides which would make it possible to get into zones of litter accumulation and to allow time for races and fun. Jen Dindinger of the Choptank Tributary Strategy group, Dick Tettlebaum, Cleo Braver of Chesapeake Wildlife, Kathy Meehan, of Easton Point, Bill Wolinski, of Talbot County Public Works, and “Doc” Kuntz were the charter members of the ephemeral group. Tammy Broil, of Talbot County Parks etc., Robin Marshall, Maryland Natural Resource Police (MNRPRO); Liz Freedlander, Horn Point; Kate Rogers, Pickering Creek; Katelin Mielke, Popular Island; and Fran Tettlebaum, Talbot Recycle also assisted in planning the day.
RAD PAD happened on May 10, 2008. The MNRPRO were there early directing traffic. Fortunately,
they also brought tents! Then the rain came. It was also a bit on the chilly side and the event was officially called off, but there were a dozen eager Boy Scouts from Troop 532 who were intent on practicing for a canoe trip in Maine. The event was resurrected for the scouts and the other boaters who showed. Boats went into the water and a lot of trash was removed. A photographer from the Starr Democrat took pictures and gave good coverage. People visited the displays and a member of CBF set up a seining operation and amazed some children with the amount and variety of marine life that could be gotten at the launching ramp. The races were cancelled because there were not enough boats. Commercial displayers had been told the event was cancelled, so they did not show.
Demonstrations were made by the Creekwatchers, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Talbot County Public Works. Of particular interest was the Public Works display of stream aerators and oyster floating habitats. The county has hopes of installing hundreds of these habitats in the Tred Avon to help clean up the water. Other groups which had people passing out information were TRPA, Popular Island Cruise, Pickering Creek, Chesapeake Wildlife Federation, and MNRPRO. Besides TRPA, sponsors include the Irish Crab Pub(area, signs, and printing), Talbot County Parks and Recreation, Alliance for the Bay(gloves bags, first aid kit) Loews (trash bags), Target (gloves),DNR, and Horn Point (printing).
There were people laughing and having fun, so the first annual RAD PAD was a success!
Thanks to all who helped!
|
