Thanks to Alexandra Marek for her article: The life of Theaux Le Gardeur, guardian of the Gunpowder River covering the life and times (so far) of Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® Theaux Le Gardeur.
Marek’s article covers Le Gardeur’s upbringing in Louisiana, marine science education, and moves across the country before settling in Maryland to set up shop and eventually create the role of Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®. Throughout the article, she describes the sights and sounds of the land and water that inspired Le Gardeur to do this work and that keep him coming back “feeling like a kid” everyday.
Marek quotes Le Gardeur as saying,
“We always have an opportunity to think about a threat to the environment as a challenge, or a threat to the environment as an opportunity. And I like this idea of opportunity. We take that opportunity to change. Change the narrative in a public hearing. Change the protection of permit conditions. Change the perception that everything’s okay when, in fact, sometimes it’s not. The Riverkeeper role is really speaking truth to power.”
Aside from the natural world that needs protecting, the article also covers the communities that Le Gardeur helps protect in his role as Riverkeeper. Marek quotes Amiel Bethel, a Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® board member saying,
“It’s vital that we keep the community educated, keep the youth educated and get the youth involved, so they understand how important it is to keep the river strong.”
The article also covers the history of the RIVERKEEPER® organizations, reaching out to the Waterkeeper Alliance for information from Bart Mihailovich and other Waterkeeper Alliance members such as the Patuxent RIVERKEEPER® Fred Tutman who said,
“Theaux is doing solid work, work that can be replicated by citizens, work that’s done in tandem and in partnership with the communities that he serves.”
Check out Alexandra Marek’s full article on Capital News Service to read all about it. Thanks also to Alexandra Marek for her previous coverage of the Days Cove Landfill Discharge Permit.
Please click HERE to support the work of Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®.