Recent changes from the White House have left many environmental organizations in a tough spot. Federal aid and grants were paused and then restarted, but the uncertainty continues to shake up important projects across the country.
ShoreRivers, which works to protect our rivers on the Eastern Shore, might face impacts on about $2 million in grant funding. However, we want to reassure everyone that we are still on solid financial ground. Our focus remains on our mission: ensuring our rivers thrive and are loved by all in our communities.
While ShoreRivers is based in Maryland, we also partner with groups in Delaware. Most of our funding comes from state sources, which helps cushion the blow of federal changes. This means our immediate challenges may not be as severe as for some other nonprofits.
We truly appreciate our state’s commitment to water quality and the ongoing support from our community. Your generous donations have helped us create a strong nonprofit that can adapt, even amid crises like a pandemic or shifts in leadership.
That said, we have had to pause several projects while we sort out which funding sources are still available. Some of our funders can no longer access federal dollars that we had already secured for ongoing work.
These projects are essential for both urban and rural communities. They include efforts to tackle stormwater and flooding with local governments, planting meadows and wetlands in public areas, and providing guidance and incentives to farmers who adopt best practices for land management.
One major concern is the potential loss of funding for our staff who connect with smaller nonprofits in our area. This includes churches, after-school programs, museums, and local housing organizations. Together, we had planned initiatives to improve river health while enhancing community programs focused on nature, health, and education.
With federal funding in jeopardy, the partnerships we’ve nurtured and the projects we’ve imagined now face uncertainty. It’s frustrating because these initiatives are smart investments in our communities and the natural spaces we cherish.
We need your help more than ever. Please consider reaching out to your congressional representatives. Let them know we need steady funding for local projects that support our towns and our environment.
Also, connect with your Riverkeepers to learn how you can advocate for our waterways. Thank you for standing with us and making your voice heard for our shared future.
Isabel Hardesty
Executive Director
