Dear Supporters,

I am thrilled to introduce myself as your new South, West, and Rhode Riverkeeper at Arundel Rivers Federation! As your Riverkeeper, I will work to protect and restore our waterways through restoration, outreach, and advocacy efforts across our watersheds. I will be the voice for these rivers and their tributaries, ensuring that they have a seat at every table and influence in decision-making processes that could affect our water quality.

I previously worked as the Miles-Wye Riverkeeper for the past five years and have worked at a Riverkeeper organization dedicated to the restoration and protection of local waterways for the past decade. I have experience in water quality monitoring, large and small-scale restoration projects, environmental education, environmental enforcement, advocacy, volunteer programs, and more. Having grown up in Anne Arundel County, I am excited to have the opportunity to bring my experience gained over the past ten years and my passion for fishable, swimmable rivers to my home county!

During my first few months at Arundel Rivers, I am most looking forward to hearing from YOU! Please reach out and introduce yourself – tell me where you live in our watershed, how you already are, or might want to become, involved in our organization, and what you see day-to-day on the waterways and in our communities.

Although I currently live in Easton on the Eastern Shore, I am looking forward to moving back “home” to Anne Arundel with my husband and 1 ½ year old son, Fin. I can’t wait to get him out on the rivers that raised me – perhaps the best reminder to me as to why this job is so important.

I officially “jump in” as the South, West, Rhode Riverkeeper on October 24^th and I look forward to getting to know each of you and these incredible waterways better. Let’s get to work!

See you on the river,

Elle Bassett