Advancing the New Potomac Report Card through Listening Sessions

The 2022 Potomac River and Watershed Report Card was released on June 6th and incorporated data from the 2022 Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card. The Potomac River and its watershed are a focus of the Coastal Ocean Assessment for Sustainability and Transformation Project (COAST Card), and the report card will be further developed through stakeholder input received at listening sessions throughout the Potomac watershed.

The COAST Card team has held two stakeholder listening sessions so far during June, with two more happening before the end of the month. The first session occurred on June 6th at the Washington Sailing Marina, right after the 2022 Chesapeake Bay Report Card release, and the second one occurred on June 8th at the Leonardtown Wharf Park. We had a great turnout of participants at both events and were able to showcase the new Potomac River Report Card. The next two will be on June 14th at the Potomac Science Center (Woodbridge, VA) and on June 22nd at Canal Place Heritage Park (Cumberland, MD).

These listening sessions are aimed at bringing together diverse community stakeholders in the Potomac Watershed. Engaging with individuals representing various backgrounds, perspectives, and interests allows for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and aspirations of the watershed's communities. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership, promotes environmental justice, and ensures that the voices of marginalized groups are heard and considered in the decision-making processes. The ultimate goal of these listening sessions is to help inform the next iteration of the Potomac River and Watershed Report Card.

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