In an effort to promote the Hawkins Cove Restoration Project, funded through the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, GreenSmith Pubic Affairs, a public relations firm, has been hired to publicize this critical environmental project. GreenSmith will be developing a video, promoting the project to the media, and increasing social media efforts, particularly as we continue to engage with communities in Hawkins Cove at planting events, stormwater management demonstrations, and other outreach and education events.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) awarded Spa Creek Conservancy (SCC) $477,506 to install upland stormwater best management practices (SWBMP), source runoff reduction and pollutant mitigation. The project is a multidimensional program to salvage an entire small-watershed (10 to 40 ha) that has destroyed a once viable water body – Hawkins Cove. Construction has already begun with the installation of a rain garden at the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA).
SCC is also partnering with Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Annapolis READY (Restoring the Environment and Developing Youth) program to train underserved youth in SWBMP watershed job skills.
There are multiple partners participating in the overall program, including two HACA communities, and several communities within the mini-watershed boundaries (Spa Cove Condo/Apartments, Boucher’s Landing, Hawkins Cove Townhomes, and Hope Rising).
We are heightening awareness in the community with educational programs and events, and eventually will restore recreational access to the cove. We intend to further increase stewardship and education opportunities for residents through restoration design that inspires people to walk through the adjacent woods and enjoy this public resource with their children, neighbors, friends and visitors.
SCC welcomes this great opportunity to highlight the important work being performed to reduce polluted runoff to Spa Creek, the Severn River, and the Chesapeake Bay.