The term “East Coast” is expansive: her territory extends from the Great Lakes to the Caribbean. She works with over 50,000 volunteers across the country in 80 chapters, with 130 student clubs. “My work focuses on some of the biggest conservation issues,” she says. She emphasizes the significance of beach cleanups in that they expose the biggest offenders. “We pick up plastic bags, plastic bottles, cigarette butts, baby diapers, plastic wrappers, and now a lot of vape pens. When you get involved in cleaning a beach, you get a very clear picture of what is doing the most harm to it.” Lyons also works closely with the public to advocate for their waters. “A lot of people are intimidated to advocate, because they think they need to know everything. But representatives want to hear from their constituents why it’s important.”
Photo courtesy of Shannon Lyons
Lyons’ 14-year old daughter, Gracin, has extended her mother’s passion for the environment through her own advocacy. “Gracin and another student spoke to Maryland politicians about water quality and offshore drilling. It’s so cool to watch young kids do that, to tell that story.” KIMBERLY MADIGAN Boat Loan Specialist, Newcoast Boat Loans Kim Madigan learned an appreciation for being on the water from her grandfather. After a career as a steelworker for Bethlehem Steel, he retired and moved to Rehoboth Beach where he took on a second life as a waterman—and a hands-on grandpa. “He would take us grandkids out on his Mako and we’d pull his pots,” she says. “Bycatch is what we were going for— crabs, fish, and some of the other things that modern-day crab pots will keep out now. But that’s what we were there for.” As she grew into adulthood, Madigan continued fishing. She took a job at AllTackle in Annapolis and worked a desk. There, she would overhear women inquiring about charter captains who would work with women-only groups learning to fish. Madigan got an idea. “They were getting quotes from captains, and they were hiring these expensive captains,” she says. The men were asking for hundreds of dollars: Kim offered a better rate. “I said, ‘I’ll take you out for free!’” Madigan was popular for her approach: she was fun and engaging, encouraging other women to become involved in a male-dominated sport. But when it came time for the big fish tournaments, things were a little different.
Photo courtesy of Shannon Lyons
SUMMER 2024 | 17
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