Who's doing more than anyone to help industries on the Chesapeake Bay "do right" by the environment? Our Pam Boatwright, River Stars Program Manager, according to the bay-wide effort, Businesses for the Bay. Pam was recognized as Mentor of the Year during the November 3 annual awards ceremony of Businesses for the Bay in Maryland. 

"Pam has worked tirelessly to cleanup and protect the Elizabeth River and the Chesapeake Bay for the past eleven years," announced the printed program for the awards ceremony, sponsored by the multi-state Chesapeake Bay Program and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. "Pam has created a network of P2 (pollution prevention) volunteers from the community and from the River stars participants who work to help each other in developing and staffing pollution prevention and wildlife habitat projects." 

A licensed boat captain who lives on her trawler, Captain Boatwright has managed the Elizabeth River Project's River Stars program for the last four years. In 2003 and 2004, River Star industries participating with the Elizabeth River Project documented 13.5 million pounds of pollution reduced and 168 acres of wildlife habitat conserved or created. 

As River Stars Program Manager, Boatwright facilitates current River Stars projects that include native habitat plantings, growing oysters for oyster reef restoration, energy saving initiatives, a "green roof", and storm water and pollution prevention projects. Results from these current efforts will be reviewed by a peer committee this fall and recognized during our River Stars Recognition Luncheon on January 19, 2006. 

For more information on the River Stars program (or to give Pam your congratulations!), email her at pboatwright@elizabethriver.org 

You can also visit our River Stars pages to learn more about the impressive results of these dedicated individuals, businesses, schools and others.

Photos: Top, left...Pam Boatwright on a site visit.
Bottom, right...Pam and friends on her trawler, Right Boat.