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What We Do

The Elk Creeks Watershed Association (ECWA) has existed in its current form for about 30 years, but our roots go back even deeper to local concerns in the 1960s and 70s when there were proposals to dam the Little and Big Elk Creeks.

 

ECWA has always been a small all-volunteer organization, but we have always punched above our weight in impact!
 

We are very grateful to the past leadership and volunteers who have provided us this legacy of action.

Our founders work fuels our commitment to continuing achievements to protect and improve our watersheds.


Current work includes:

  • Facilitated a 10-acre riparian buffer planting at Duck Farm development
     

  • We remain a key stakeholder in the preservation of the Big Elk Creek State Park and surrounding landscapes, including participating in the park Master Planning process which resulted in a low-impact plan that prioritizes improvements in the ecological restoration of this special place
     

  • Established a robust volunteer program with invasive species removal days, tree plantings, and tree planting maintenance work days that provide hands-on opportunities for public participation
     

  • Participating in Oxford First Friday and other local events to provide education on the watershed and activities we can all take to maintain and improve our shared local ecosystems and water quality
     

  • Monitoring the temperature and water quality of multiple tributaries to assess the viability of reestablishing wild trout populations

Over the Past Five Years:

  • Helped facilitate the acquisition of 162 acre “Martin property” that Elk Township bought with the Brandywine Conservancy’s help and deeded to DCNR. It is now part of Big Elk Creek State Park
     

  • Instigated the largest riparian buffer planting that either DCNR or the Alliance for the Chesapeake has ever done (280 acres in Big Elk Creek State Park, around 74,000 trees!)
     

  • Most years we participate in the annual opening of the fish ladder around the dam in Elkton for Shad and Herring

Prior Achievements:

  • Listing of Big Elk Creek as “High Quality”, primarily due to the presence of the Mottled Sculpin. (The Sculpin is common throughout the northern and western quadrants of the state but in the southeast quadrant it is reported only in the Big Elk). This designation increases the protection of the creek by imposing additional requirements on any potential discharges into the Big Elk
     

  • Development of outdoor classroom trails in the early 2000s at Oxford Area High School and Lincoln University campuses
     

  • Installing “Entering the watershed” signage on major roads
     

  • Completing the extensive 2002 Watershed Action Plan

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