A Message From CCCC Member, Riley Kuehn

Hi everyone!

My name is Riley, and I am the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps (CCCC) member for Arundel Rivers Federation. This program, run by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, places young adults passionate about the environmental field with organizations throughout the Chesapeake Bay for one year of service. 

Since starting at Arundel Rivers last August, I have been privileged to work closely with community members in the South, West, and Rhode watersheds through our bacteria monitoring program, Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO) program, native plantings, the Half Shell event, and so much more. As part of my capstone for the CCCC program, I wanted to increase accessibility to the waterways that so many call home. I partnered with Anne Arundel Park Rangers and Annapolis Canoe and Kayak to host a Paddle Clean-Up event at Mayo Beach Park. With the help of thirteen volunteers, we cleaned up Mayo Beach Park’s shoreline on kayak and on foot. Thanks again to everyone who helped make this event possible and came out to participate!

Along with  my work for Arundel Rivers, the  CCCC program encourages members to visit other host sites and organizes events throughout the year. I have planted trees with ShoreRivers, explored Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources mobile mussel hatchery, picked up trash at Fort McHenry, and kayaked around the shipwrecks at Mallows Bay for NOAA’s annual Bioblitz event. My favorite orientation was our environmental education retreat on Port Isobel. Sitting around the bonfire with my cohort, listening to the waves from the Chesapeake Bay lap against the shore, I felt so lucky to be a part of a program that allowed me to meet wonderful friends and mentors. While I am a Maryland native, growing up in Bethesda, this program has made me fall in love with Maryland all over again.   

Through my time in the CCCC, I have built a strong network of friends, coworkers, and community members in Annapolis, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with other environmentally focused individuals. I can’t wait to continue pursuing my passions in this field after my year ends, and I hope to meet more Arundel Rivers’ supporters and volunteers along the way!