Photography by Steve Buchanan
Motivated by her desire to connect people with nature, Rabiah Nur was inspired by and drawn to the one of the longest winding veins of Chesapeake life, the Patuxent River. An indigenous medicine woman, she views the river through the eyes of her ancestors and embraces the centuries-old traditions instilled in her. After meeting and speaking to Fred Tutman, the Patuxent Riverkeeper, about how she could help support the river, the duo decided she should assume the role of property caretaker, a volunteer position. In the spring of 2020, Nur moved into the caretaker residence at the Patuxent Riverkeeper Center in Upper Marlboro. And the timing of her decision has definitely been beneficial.
At the time of writing, the site is closed due to COVID19. As such, few staff members are working in the waterfront office on a daily basis. Tutman and his staff don’t feel prepared to open the office formally or offer public programs and services (yet), such as boat rentals, due to the health risks posed by the virus. But since the office hours are irregular during the pandemic—and there is also an increased public demand for outdoor activities—they felt it was important to have a full-time presence onsite at all times. Since Nur lives on the premises, she oversees the site and serves as a an invaluable point of contact with the public. According to Tutman, Nur has essentially become the onsite interpreter of public safety during the pandemic.
“I feel privileged to live here,” Nur says. “It’s definitely a blessing, and I don’t take that for granted. Nature clears my mind. I feel so peaceful being by the river, spending time outdoors, and watching the wildlife. The site is a space of complete calm.”
Since she is an indigenous medicine woman, Nur has a great deal of knowledge about healing plants and often gathers them during her daily walks along the property grounds. She is grateful to have this time to reflect, observe wildlife, and clear her mind by connecting with and enjoying the splendor of nature. In addition, as part of her indigenous culture, Nur honors her heritage by participating with other medicine women and performing traditional ceremonies to celebrate the Patuxent River and pray for its health, which dovetails with the mission of Tutman’s organization.
Founded in 2004 by Tutman, who is among the longest serving Riverkeepers in the Chesapeake region and the only African-American Riverkeeper in the nation, the mission of Patuxent Riverkeeper, a nonprofit organization, is “to conserve, protect, and replenish Maryland’s longest and deepest intrastate waterway” with the goal of achieving “long-term sustainability for the ecosystem of the entire Patuxent River basin and the people who rely on its future.”
As the caretaker, Nur interacts with visitors who often experience the river for the first time and/or may not have even known about the Patuxent Riverkeeper location. Even though the site is technically closed, visitors who are eager to spend time outdoors have often stopped by to explore. A dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer, Nur will greet and introduce them to the river and its programs. Safety precautions are observed at all times, including wearing masks and social distancing.
“Rabiah is truly passionate about nature and the environment and has formed a spiritual bond with the river,” Tutman says. “She is a preacher for our environmental justice mission and activities, and hands out our brochures, gives directions, or chases off mischief. She is also an active part of the river community, which provides services and direct assistance to people seeking access, information, and connectivity to the broader watershed community. As an indigenous person, Rabiah helps us practice what we preach to others: respect—not only for nature but also for indigenous traditions and wisdom. And she serves as an ambassador for an inclusive movement that welcomes everyone to this unique ‘clubhouse’ on the river.”
When she is not fulfilling her caretaker responsibilities, Nur works on projects to support the Patuxent River. She is happy living onsite, so for now, she has no immediate plans to relocate and will continue to serve as the caretaker—a role that she finds extremely rewarding.
“I’ve built a relationship with the river and the people I’ve met while living here,” Nur says. “I believe that it’s a tremendous honor to introduce people to the river. Earth is a sentient being, and we have a symbiotic relationship with her. It’s important to remember to walk gently on the earth and respect her. After all, we are merely guests here.”
Although people have occasionally stopped by the Patuxent Riverkeeper Center during the pandemic to enjoy the river, Tutman would like to remind those who may want to visit that the site is closed. He requests that people don’t just drop by and suggests that they call the Patuxent Riverkeeper Center hotline at 855-725-2925 with any questions.
For more information about Patuxent Riverkeeper, visit paxriverkeeper.org.
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