ACWA Maryland
Antietam Creek Watershed Alliance
Who Is ACWA?
The Antietam Creek Watershed Alliance is a new organization made up of citizens concerned about our local watershed. The mission of ACWA (pronounced aqua) is to protect and promote Antietam Creek through education, preservation, and hands-on projects. Partnerships are being formed among volunteers, schools, community groups, municipal agencies, and businesses to help accomplish ACWA's mission by encouraging the smart use of the Antietam Creek.
What Does ACWA Do?
ACWA remains aware of the state of the Antietam watershed and offers opportunities to improve the health of the waterway for everyone's benefits. ACWA already involved community groups to begin in preservation of the Creek and watershed. Last fall, the first Rubbish Round-up in and on the banks of the Creek took place with the help of local Boy Scout troops, school groups, landowners, and businesses. ACWA plans to organize tree plantings, water quality testing, creek clean-ups, and education through public meetings and recreational activities like bird-watching, boating events, and wildflower walks.
Why Is Antietam Creek Important?
The Antietam Creek is a significant waterway that flows south from its headwaters near Waynesboro in Franklin County, Pennsylvania through Washington County, Maryland to the Potomac River. The Creek is about 41 miles in length and has several tributaries including Beaver Creek, Marsh Run, Hamilton Run, Two Little Antietam Creeks, and Sharmans Branch. The Creek also attracts people from all states to its historical sites and town such as Antietam National Battlefield, Boonsboro, Funkstown, and Hagerstown. The creek is also important to many plants and animals that require a healthy habitat for survival. The Crested Orchid, Smokey Shrew, Loggerhead Shrike, and Slimy Sculpin are examples of those now threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and erosion.
What Can You Do?
Get Involved! We need more members to help spread ACWA's mission and take energetic roles in the environmental community. We need members, officers, and board members who will strive to keep Antietam Creek a place of beauty and recreation for future generations. Please consider joining one of four committees: Education and Outreach, Communication and Media Information, Fundraising, and Creek Events. ACWA will have seasonal events so check out our Yahoo account at Yahoogroups.com and search for antietamcreekalliancemd for an updated schedule and posted information. For more information, please contact Emilie Cooper at 301-791-4733 or ecooper@dnr.state.md.us.