Class of 1992
Tom Leigh
Biology Grad is Chester Riverkeeper
Tom Leigh '92, a former biology major whose career is grounded in marine biological restoration, is the chief advocate for the health of the Chester River, the Chesapeake Bay estuary three blocks from Washington College where he first developed an interest in marine studies. In January 2008, the Chester River Association appointed Tom as its riverkeeper.
After college, Tom earned a master's degree in biology at Hofstra University and went on to serve as resident director of the university's Marine Lab in Jamaica. He has worked as a biologist at the New Jersey State Aquarium and as a researcher/instructor at Marine Science Consortium on Wallops Island, VA. Most recently, he was a project manager in the restoration division of Environmental Concern, a firm in St. Michaels that constructs and restores wetlands.
"It's exciting to actually be part of a common goal that's so important to the area locally," said Tom. "Rather than writing a report that gets filed away in a cabinet, or performing research that may not be pertinent down the road, this is work that we all have a vested interest in. It's my back yard. I'd like to watch out for it."
Among the riverkeeper's immediate goals: the upgrading of septic systems in the watershed and site-specific advocacy actions involving polluters.
"Tom is perfect for this position," said CRA Executive Director Bob Parks. "He's got the biology degrees and the work experience to bring real expertise to river issues. He's a real muddy-boots scientist."