$30K Perdue grant to assist Nanticoke water quality

Perdue Farms has pledged 30,000 dollars for improving water quality in the Nanticoke River.

The money was presented Thursday to the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance,  also known as “NWA”. Martin Stewart, environmental manager for Perdue, says it will be spent evenly over a three year period.

“It’s part of our company philosophy to be committed to the community and to the environment,” says Stewart. “We looked at the watershed alliance as an exceptional entity, and we want to be associated with excellence.”

Beth Wasden, volunteer and outreach coordinator for NWA, says the first ten grand will be used for direct engagement with Perdue associates.

According to Wasden, Perdue has about 2,500 associates who work within the watershed.

“We’re going to do a couple of homeownership workshops where we giveaway things like rain barrels and soil tests and background kits,” she explains.

Part of the grant will also help produce the alliance’s annual report card of the Nanticoke River, such as charts and graphics explaining the state of the river.

Data for the card is gathered with the help of about 40 volunteers also known as
“creek watchers”. We’re told they spend every other week between March and November testing the river’s water quality.

In the latest report released Thursday, the river received a final of B-minus.

Wasden says the alliance plans to use the remaining funds to support community involvement, combining education and recreational activities; however, it’s a long-term project.

“All of us want to see fast results but water quality, like a lot of other things, it takes perseverance,” she says. “It takes time to see those improvements.”

Wasden says NWA could always use additional volunteers. For more information, click here.