Taraski looks back on over a decade of service

Protecting Suffolk’s waterways is a passion for Dr. Elizabeth Taraski. After 12 years of advocating and educating, she stepped down on March 30, from her position as CEO of the Nasemond River Preservation Alliance (NRPA).

In 2010, Taraski had worked in the University sector for around 20 years and was looking for an opportunity to do more service. She loved the outdoors and while living in New Jersey, working with the New Jersey Institute of Technology, she lived near the Great Dismal Swamp and would visit with her children when they were young.

Taraski had moved down to Suffolk from New Jersey in 1998 and had always wanted to lead an environmental organization and help it grow. One day while on the golf course, a board member from the NRPA invited her to do exactly that.

NRPA was started in 2009 to protect the local waterways in Suffolk and the board earned its 5013(C) in August 2010. Taraski came on board shortly after in October 2010.

“I’m not a founding member, but I’ve been an active one,” she said. “It’s been a great opportunity to work with the wonderful board members.”

The organization has its focus on Suffolk as it is both experiencing economic expansion and is by the Nansemond River and Chesapeake Bay. NPRA wants to encourage both economic development and environmental stewardship.

Many of their projects focus on education as they raise public awareness and encour- age environmental stewardship of the nearby waterways. Taraski helps spread the word to get all citizens involved in their part of keeping the waterways clean. According to Taraski, the work they do is mostly preventive and she hopes to keep it that way.

“I want to make sure that the next generation has an opportunity to enjoy all the things that we have today,” she said.

To do this, Taraski led various projects to help, including getting the monthly water sampling for their report. Each month, NPRA would collect samples to check how the waterways are doing and create a report card to keep everyone up to date on what was happening at various levels. According to Taraski, taking folks on this trip was a great way to expose them to what they are trying to save.

See TARASKI page 19

Other projects include work at their conservation site at Sleepy Hole Park. Since more development means more runoff can get into the waterways, these workshops at the park would educate folks about the native plants, bushes and trees. Native plants grow better as they do well with the local soil and climate and plant life can help reduce runoff and keep the rainwater in the soil. Part of the educational process is sharing this with the home and business owners who are located on the water.

Other projects include oyster gardening, providing resources and working with students in the schools to create a new generation mindful of the environment. All this happens due to various businesses, individuals, civic organizations and government agencies partnering with the NPRA.

“We work with wonderful and talented people with over a thousand volunteers and a really talented board,” said Taraski

Looking ahead, NPRA hopes to partner with more people and organizations. Taraski hopes the new CEO, Beth Cross, will be able

See TARASKI page 20

Karla Smith, Chair, NRPA Environmental Committee, Elizabeth Taraski and Max Batholomew, Dominion Energy lead a group of seventh grade students on the NRPA Environmental Boat Trip along the Nansemond River educating them about the waterways and best practices to protect the river and creeks.

TARASKI continued from page 19 to expand and collaborate with churches as the goal is to get everyone involved in saving the local waterways.

After stepping down Taraski looks forward to spending time with her five grandchildren. They don’t live locally so she hopes to stay available to go see them whenever she can. She also owns her own nonprofit consulting business and plans to do that part-time. In her free time she looks forward to playing golf and playing pickleball when she can.

“It’s been rewarding,” said Taraski looking back at her time with the NPRA. “Suffolk has a bright future. There are so many individuals who care about Suffolk and are passionate to work for that bright future and I’m confident it will happen.”

where am I?

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Go out and enjoy Suffolk!