What NAPS Does . . .

NAPS volunteers work "hands-on" with homeowners, government, schools, farmers, watermen, and other businesses to promote stewardship and education, and monitors quality-of-life and sustainability issues in our community.

Stewardship

NAPS has many initiatives to educate and help residents, businesses, organizations, and government be good stewards of our land and water:

• Shoreline Restoration:
  • Invasive marsh grass (Phragmites) eradication projects
  • Natural shoreline stabilization projects
  • Planting of native grasses to protect shorelines and promote a healthy shoreline ecosystem.
• Pollution Control:
  • Adopt-A-Highway trash cleanup projects
  • Shoreline cleanup projects
  • Septic maintenance education
  • Sewage sludge as fertilizer issues education
• Natural Areas and Eco-Recreation Access
  • Water access for kayaks/canoes
  • Land preserves stewardship and projects
• Ecology & Energy
  • Renewable energy education
  • Conservation tips and projects
  • Recycling education and access
• Potable Water Issues
  • Well water facts and well maintenance
  • Reservoirs
  • Artesian aquifer issues

Please download NAPS' Stewardship Guide for Homeowners (pdf).

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Education

NAPS offers many educational opportunities for students and for citizens, and supports a strong public educational system as an essential element for a strong community.

• School Programs
  • NAPS Scholarships
  • Outdoor classroom and nature trails
  • Student education
• Citizen Programs (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
  • Stewardship tips and guides

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Monitoring (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

NAPS monitors meetings of the county Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, and other area, state, and national entities on the subjects of:

• Land use and zoning
• Resource preservation and conservation
• Chesapeake Bay Act ordinance and enforcement
• Pollution control
• Ecologically sustainable farming and fishing
• Energy policy and conservation measures
• Potable water issues
• Education issues

Click any of the above links for a list of articles and resources. (Under Construction)

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History of NAPS

NAPS was established in 1989 by Mary Lou Butler, Alexander M. (Mickey) Cochran (dec.), Meade Hinton, Jr. (dec.), Dr. Burris Husman, Eugene E. Paulish (dec.) and Shirley Smith. We all recognize that Northumberland County is going to grow. If we all join hands, we can help that growth take place "progressively," with order and beauty. We are all "stewards" of our environment, bearing responsibility for things that are not ours personally.

Over the years the focus of NAPS has evolved, reflecting the priorities of the membership and the Board. NAPS has taken positions on a variety of land use issues, including marinas, cluster homes, landfills, sewage sludge storage sites and the spreading of urban sewage sludge on agricultural lands in the county. NAPS members also played major roles in helping to draft the 1996 and current re-writes of the county's Comprehensive Plan.

History of NAPS Presidents:

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Awards

On July 27, 2002, the Friends of the Potomac presented the Northumberland Association for progressive Stewardship (NAPS) with the Potomac Local Recognition Award. Receiving the award on behalf of NAPS was Don Pumroy, past acting President and Chairman of the Education Committee of NAPS. In his brief acceptance speech, Dr. Pumroy thanked the Friends of the Potomac and mentioned the two current projects of NAPS: the sludge issue and the planting of marshgrass to reduce erosion along the waterfront. He also mentioned the contributions of Mike Harwood, both to NAPS and Friends of the Potomac. Friends of the Potomac is an organization that has brought together many groups on both the Maryland and Virginia sides of the Potomac River who are interested in and involved in protecting the environment of the Potomac River. NAPS, primarily through the efforts of Mike Harwood, has been involved with the organization since its inception. One of the many accomplishments of Friends of the Potomac is the effort and assistance in getting the Potomac River designated as a Heritage River. The award, which was presented by Chairman Lynn Brownley, reads:

"Friends of the Potomac proudly presents the 2002 Friends of the Potomac Local Recognition Award to the Northumberland Association for Progressive Stewardship for outstanding community leadership and for participative cooperative and selfless support from members and the community to the Friends of the Potomac's Leadership Potomac program."

Also in attendance at the ceremony, which took place at the Piscataway Park in Accokeek, Maryland, was Congressman Steny Hoyer, who made an eloquent presentation about the importance of protecting the Potomac River environment and the great contribution made by the organizations represented by the Friends of the Potomac. Another distinguished attendee and award recipient was Tayloe Murphy, past Virginia State Delegate and currently Virginia's Secretary of Natural Resources.

Pictures from Award Ceremony below. Click to see them larger.

Don Pumroy with Award, and Congressman Steny Hoyer with Don Pumroy.

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