To the editor:

Your coverage of last week’s panel discussion on our local waterways is exactly what we need to continue to educate people on the importance of being good custodians of our environment.

The forum sponsored by the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance and Suffolk River Heritage provided an excellent platform for the public to interact with experts on the topic.

We all must work together — homeowners, businesses, elected officials and community leaders — to reduce the amount of pollution we are releasing into our waterways.

William Baker of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said at the forum this is one of the biggest issues facing our waterways. The Chesapeake Bay and its watershed are vital to our local and regional economy, and we must continue to improve the condition of this resource. I hope to see more forums like this one in our area.

Gretchen Heal

Suffolk