It's outrageous. The Trump administration's proposed federal budget zeroes out funding for clean water efforts, notably, the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. This funding supports clean water projects around the watershed, from oyster restoration, to implementing best management practices on farms, to reducing polluted runoff in urban centers. The proposed federal budget threatens all these restoration efforts.
Despite these developments, there's reason for optimism. This week, we witnessed local, regional, and global examples of partnerships working together for clean water. On the local front, we were delighted to see Maryland's Charles County Commissioners vote for critical zoning protections for Mattawoman Creek—one of the most productive tributaries in the Chesapeake Bay and a major economic driver for Charles County. Regionally, we saw the Chesapeake Bay Executive Council convene and take strong, bipartisan action to protect the Blueprint. And globally, we worked with 15 foreign missions to grow bay grasses and plant them in Virginia's Mason Neck State Park.
All these examples are just a glimpse of why we're hopeful that we will save the Bay. We are in for a fight, but with your support, we will leave a legacy of clean water to future generations.
This Week in the Watershed: Bipartisan Bay Support, a Critical Creek, and International Grasses
- The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council gathered in Annapolis and expressed strong support to maintain federal funding for Bay cleanup efforts. (Baltimore Sun—MD) BONUS: CBF Press Statement
- Two thumbs up to the Charles County Commissioners who voted for critical zoning protections for Mattawoman Creek. (CBF Press Statement)
- CBF's Philip Merrill Environmental Center was listed on the Top 25 Must-See Buildings in Maryland! (USA Today)
- Agricultural best management practices were on full display at an Augusta County, VA farm tour. (News Virginian—VA)
- More than a dozen foreign embassies and international organizations partnered with CBF's "Grasses for the Masses" program to grow bay grasses, which were planted in Virginia's Mason Neck State Park this week. (Voice of America)
- The first concert in the Clean Water Concert Series on Maryland's Eastern Shore was a swinging success. (Star Democrat—MD)
- The proposed federal budget threatens many areas of Bay cleanup efforts including oyster restoration. (WYPR—MD)
- Budget cuts threaten clean water efforts in the Keystone State. (Bay Journal)
- Clean the Bay Day was a major success, with approximately 100,000 pounds of trash removed from Virginian waterways by over 6,000 volunteers. (The Virginian-Pilot—VA) BONUS: CBF Press Release
What's Happening around the Watershed?
June 10
- Virginia Beach, VA: Become an oyster gardener in Virginia's tidal waters and help Save the Bay! All new oyster gardeners should attend a New Gardener Seminar, which will instruct on how to maintain an oyster garden throughout the coming year. Register here!
June 11
- Solomons, MD: Oyster gardeners are invited to return the oysters they have so diligently grown so CBF can plant them on sanctuary reefs, where they can live, filter, and reproduce happily among other oysters. Register here!
June 20
- Norfolk, VA: Become an oyster gardener in Virginia's tidal waters and help Save the Bay! All new oyster gardeners should attend a New Gardener Seminar, which will instruct on how to maintain an oyster garden throughout the coming year. Register here!
June 22
- Newport News, VA: Become an oyster gardener in Virginia's tidal waters and help Save the Bay! All new oyster gardeners should attend a New Gardener Seminar, which will instruct on how to maintain an oyster garden throughout the coming year. Register here!
June 24
- Easton, MD: The Clean Water Concert Series continues with the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters. The Navy's official chorus performs pieces ranging from Broadway tunes to sea chanteys and everything in between. Top-notch entertainment you won't want to miss! The concert is free and open to the public. While enjoying the music, be sure to stop by the dozens of environmental and community exhibits, including CBF's, so that you can learn more about the Bay and how you can be a part of the movement to restore it. Click here for more information!
- Lancaster, VA: Become an oyster gardener in Virginia's tidal waters and help Save the Bay! All new oyster gardeners should attend a New Gardener Seminar, which will instruct on how to maintain an oyster garden throughout the coming year. Register here!
June 27
- Hampton, VA: Become an oyster gardener in Virginia's tidal waters and help Save the Bay! All new oyster gardeners should attend a New Gardener Seminar, which will instruct on how to maintain an oyster garden throughout the coming year. Register here!
July 8
- Easton, MD: The Clean Water Concert Series wraps up with a performance by one of the best bands in the D.C. area – The XPD's. Playing Motown, R&B, and funk tunes, The XPD's will have you on your feet! The concert is free and open to the public. While enjoying the music, be sure to stop by the dozens of environmental and community exhibits, including CBF's, so that you can learn more about the Bay and how you can be a part of the movement to restore it. Click here for more information!
