News and Information

(Please check the calendar often for more information on projects, events and volunteer opportunities)

Antietam Currents from the Record Herald newspaper.

Summitview rain garden will serve two purposes - Article from Record Herald 6/15/07

Rain garden to help keep groundwater in check - Article from Herald Mail 6/15/07 with a video clip

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2002-2006

Rettig's leadership is helping to save local watershed - Article from Record Herald 4/26/06

AWA's Stream Monitoring Team is recruiting additional monitors for both East and West Branch watersheds of Antietam Creek. Interested? Call 717-762-0373 or email renfrewinst@innernet.net for more info. Monitoring headquarted at Renfrew Institute for Cultural and Environmental Studies in Waynesboro, PA.

Basic requirements:

€ General interest in water science

€ Willingness to commit a 3-4 hour work session during the first weekend of each month (for at least 8 out of 12 months)

€ Willingness to commit to training sessions as needed (2-3 per year) - usually 1/2 day Sat. or evening (accomodates those with fulltime day jobs).

€ Physical ability to manage stream entry (usually shallow water) or assist partner who can do this .

€ Willingness to be part of a team and have fun!

Note: Residence along creek is helpful, but not required. Science background not needed - will train. Equipment provided.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2002-2006

1. Established significant relationships, support from local government, particularly Washington Township

2. Built partnerships with local organizations, farmers, school district, municipalities, citizens

3. Maintained monthly educational column in local paper (Antietam Currents)

4. Established permanent office at 32 West Main Street, significant donation by landlord.

5. Built a highly visible rain garden at local farmer’s Market (Paul’s)

6. Accomplished seven significant riparian planting projects at five farms (Landes, Rebok, Hess, Buhrman, Lehman) and two large landholders (Quincy Home, Otterbein Church) along the Antietam Creek in Pa.

7. Assisted with similar projects in Maryland Antietam Watershed.

8. Established and maintain currently a scientifically rigorous stream monitoring program, to gather data, and as an educational resource for the community.

9. Conducted an assessment of the East Branch of the Antietam Creek in PA, resulting in recommendations to preserve and correct problems in that subwatershed.

10. Proceed with plans for a major project, of preservation and educational value on WASD property. This is an outcome of the East Branch Assessment. (9)

11. Raised awareness and support in the general citizenry of the Antietam Watershed in PA.

12. Built relationships with major developers (Diller, ?Mason, ?Pfifer, ?Buhrman)

13. Applied for, and received grants amounting to $106,000.

14. Applied for 319 Grant, decision pending ($250,000) for assessing and making an implementation plan for the entire Antietam Watershed in PA.

15. Built partnerships with major regional organizations of support (Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), Center for Watershed Protection (CWP), Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), PA League of Women Voters, Franklin County Soil Conservation District, Franklin County Watershed Association, Conococheague Watershed Association.

16. Establish an active Riparian Maintenance Committee for accomplished riparian planting sites.

17. Designed, and published a brochure for general education on riparian planting in the PA Antietam Watershed (outcome of the East Branch Assessment) (9).

18. Adopted a State Forest road, maintained active cleanup of this road throughout the year and a yearly cleanup project.

19. Established and maintained a website for AWA (www.antietamws.org).

20. Printed and used restaurant placemats of educational value on the Antietam Watershed in PA.

21. Obtained and used display boards for use at public events, of educational value.

Last Updated - March 30, 2008