The Potomac Conservancy held its eighth annual Picnic on the Potomac membership dinner on Saturday, July 7, at the Carderock Pavilion.
“The picnic is a great way to get everyone together,” said Conservancy President Henrick Belin. “It’s always good to celebrate the group’s successes, and get everyone caught up with what the organization is doing.”
Started in 1993, the Potomac Conservancy aims to maintain and protect the almost 15,000 square miles of land that the Potomac and its tributaries are responsible for draining. The group brings together volunteers, with many government agencies, non-profit organizations, and school groups along the river.
Most members started out as casual visitors of the river, such as Anne Sundermann, now the communications manager for the Conservancy. “I lived in Washington for a number of years, and I would always come out to the Potomac to kayak and sail,” Sundermann said. “You just want to help keep it clean, and preserve it.”
The Potomac River is over 410 miles long, making it the fourth-largest river area on the East Coast. “I’ve brought my children to Great Falls, gone running all along the coast, and canoeing in the Potomac many times,” said Belin. “But there is still so much more to see. I’m still discovering.”
The picnic also serves to recognize the group’s member of the year. Laura Glass was the honoree this year. “Even though we like to get the whole group together, we also want to single somebody out.” Said Belin.
Along with the traditional hot dogs and hamburgers, the picnic featured live music by a local three-piece band called the Potomac River Ramblers. “We just want our members to have a great time tonight,” Sundermann said.
Throughout the evening over one hundred and twenty-five members and guests enjoyed the free barbeque and concert. “When it comes down to it, its all about the people,” said Belin. “We want to show our members and volunteers just how much we appreciate them,”
For more information about how to help the Conservancy, visit www.potomac.org.