August 11, 2022
Update from Summer Intern, Seneca RiceWoolf
Thank you to those I have enjoyed getting to know and hello to the faces I have yet to meet! My name is Seneca RiceWoolf, Arundel Rivers’ summer intern. I am an Environmental Science and Sociology student at the College of William and Mary.
The summer started with a splash as I pretended to know where on the many creeks of the South, West, and Rhode Rivers we were sampling. Using Hydrolab technology, I learned how to test the water’s depth, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen to assess the area’s health. Equally importantly, I learned that good science is consistent. Our reliable sampling schedule allowed me to see bald eagles, dolphins, and ospreys without stepping away from the science.
Having grown up locally, I assumed I knew the Bay. Now I understand that the intricate ecosystems and local love of the Chesapeake Bay are deeper than I imagined. However, after a few months on the water, the calm current and tornado-downed trees make Church Creek unmistakable. The slight lightening of the water tells me that the Remedy is drifting into Glebe Bay and towards a growing oyster reef – a clear reminder that we cannot always see the whole story. Now, as I savor the brackish breeze, I don’t need to guess our location.
One of my favorite days so far was at Glebe Bay’s oyster reef site. The team was armed with Home Depot buckets, rain gear, and a hose that worked overtime. We collected oysters from houses on Duvall Creek and transferred them to the Glebe Bay re-established reef location. It was a muddy mess, but I have never felt more connected to the restoration process.
This effort was part of the Maryland Oyster Grows program and is one of many amazing things about the Arundel Rivers Federation – the organization IS the community. If you care about the Chesapeake Bay, you can find meaningful involvement by growing oysters, volunteering at plantings or donating.
I look forward to the rest of the summer and the opportunity to get to know our watershed more. Let’s clean up the rivers!
-Seneca RiceWoolf