It's no secret we're living in an era of division. On what feels like every issue, consensus is avoided like the plague. But despite this current political climate, we can all agree that clean water crosses party lines. And perhaps nowhere is the desire for clean water greater than in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Virginians especially recognize the value of clean water. With its location on the Chesapeake Bay and its many rivers, such as the James, York, and Rappahannock, Virginians have an intimate appreciation for clean water. With the upcoming gubernatorial election in the Old Dominion, the leading candidates for the office, Mr. Ralph Northam and Mr. Ed Gillespie, spoke at a Clean Water Forum this week, hosted by CBF and the James River Association. Click here to watch the Clean Water Forum in its entirety.
While Northam and Gillespie discussed differences in opinion on policy, they both agreed wholeheartedly on one thing—clean water is essential. At the end of the day, everyone benefits from clean water. From improved public health, to thriving economies, to extensive recreational opportunities, we all can get behind the mission to save the Bay.
This Week in the Watershed: A Gubernatorial Forum, Pollution Investing, and a Fishy Precedent
- A controversial decision to disregard summer flounder harvest limits in New Jersey has some concerned a dangerous precedent is set for rejecting other harvest limits along the Atlantic Coast and the Chesapeake Bay. (Bay Journal)
- Virginia gubernatorial candidates Ralph Northam and Ed Gillespie participated in a Clean Water Forum hosted by CBF and the James River Association. (Richmond Times Dispatch—VA)
- Funding for the Bay Journal, an award-winning publication reporting on all things Chesapeake Bay, is under threat. (Washington Post)
- "Pay for success" is a relatively new investment concept, but one that could make a major impact in reducing pollution from agricultural runoff. (Lancaster Farming—PA)
What's Happening Around the Watershed?
September 10
- Virginia Beach, VA: Help us celebrate our 50th anniversary—join us at Save the Bay Family Day! Bring your family and friends for a thrilling day of educational experiences, local bites, live music, and more. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to register!
September 13
- Williamsburg, VA: Join us for a Clean Water Breakfast to learn how Virginia is faring toward reaching its water quality goals and what you can do. With the gubernatorial election right around the corner, discover what's needed in the next four years to sustain the recovery of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to register!
September 14
- Henrico, VA: Come paddle Four Mile Creek and the James River with CBF's education staff. We will explore the flora and fauna of the river, seine for critters, and investigate the marshes of the James. The paddle is free and all equipment is provided. Click here to register!
September 16
- Easton, MD: Join us on International Coastal Cleanup Day to clean ponds and streams that lead to the Tred Avon River. All participants will receive a free, reusable CBF tote. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to register!
September 21
- Baltimore, MD: Join us for a fun and educational trip out of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. CBF's workboat Snow Goose provides a unique platform from which participants study the dynamic relationship between the Port of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay's Patapsco River. Click here to register!
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
September 22-23
- Virginia Beach, VA: Join us for our 7th Annual Clean Water Captains' workshop. This annual training provides Captains and prospective Captains the most up-to-date, actionable science and policy information available. The training also provides opportunities for networking, paddling on Crab Creek, and bird watching at the Brock Environmental Center. Click here to register!
September 23
- Annapolis, MD: Join us out on the water for a morning of fishing, learning, and fun! Spend the morning aboard the Marguerite in search of whatever is biting! Our experienced crew will provide all the knowledge and equipment necessary—just bring your enthusiasm! Click here to register!
- Baltimore, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster–in the Inner Harbor! Activities at this oyster gardening workshop include Oyster and Bay 101, building oyster cages, and installing cages of baby oysters (spat on shell) in the harbor at the Downtown Sailing Center. Click here to register!
September 24
- Easton, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster! Join us for a new oyster gardener workshop to the supplies and training necessary to grow your own oysters. During the two-hour workshop, you will learn about oyster ecology, the importance of oysters to the Chesapeake Bay, and how to care for your oyster garden. You will also construct four oyster gardening cages that you will use to grow your oysters. Click here to register!
- Easton, MD: Returning oyster gardeners can pick up their spat for the fall/winter season. Click here to register!
September 25
- Cambridge, MD: Join us for our most in-depth adult education program available to our members and the public. VoiCeS, which stands for Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards, is a program to reach out to local volunteers and their communities to create a deeper understanding of the Bay and the efforts to restore it. The Dorchester VoiCeS class is a six-week course meeting on Mondays, starting September 25! Click here to register!
September 26
- Edgewater, MD: Returning oyster gardeners can pick up their spat for the fall/winter season. Click here to register!
September 28
- Lynchburg, VA: Join us for a Clean Water Breakfast to learn how Virginia is faring toward reaching its water quality goals and what you can do. With the gubernatorial election right around the corner, discover what's needed in the next four years to sustain the recovery of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to register!
September 30
- Baltimore, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster–in the Inner Harbor! Activities at this oyster gardening workshop include Oyster and Bay 101, building oyster cages, and installing cages of baby oysters (spat on shell) in the harbor. Click here to register!
October 1
- Upper Marlboro, MD: Join us for a fun-filled afternoon with friends, live music, craft-brewed beers, and mouth-watering food created by area chefs using local ingredients at CBF's Burgers and Brews for the Bay. A family friendly event, it features live bluegrass music, hay rides, fish printing, and educational stations. Buy your tickets now!
October 3
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
October 6
- Annapolis, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster! Join us for a new oyster gardener workshop to the supplies and training necessary to grow your own oysters. During the two-hour workshop, you will learn about oyster ecology, the importance of oysters to the Chesapeake Bay, and how to care for your oyster garden. You will also construct four oyster gardening cages that you will use to grow your oysters. Click here to register!
October 7
- Sherwood, MD: Help us prove that oyster restoration is making a difference. Join us for our Rod and Reef Slam Fishing Tournament! Compete to catch (and release!) the largest number of fish species on three restored oyster reefs: the Tilghman Reef just outside Knapps Narrows, the Harris Creek reefs, and the Cook's Point reef ball field in the mouth of the Choptank. Don't fish? Register for the afterparty only and enjoy food, entertainment, a cash bar, and loads of information about what restored oyster reefs mean for fish in the Bay. Space is limited, register now!
- Frederick County, MD: Come help CBF plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs along Israel Creek on a beef cattle farm in Frederick County. Approximately 5,000 feet of stream banks will be planted resulting is five acres of new riparian buffer. Israel Creek is in the Monocacy River watershed, which flows to the Potomac River then to the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to register!
October 9
- Frederick, MD: Join us for our most in-depth adult education program available to our members and the public. VoiCeS, which stands for Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards, is a program to reach out to local volunteers and their communities to create a deeper understanding of the Bay and the efforts to restore it. The Frederick VoiCeS class is a six-week course meeting on Mondays, starting October 9. Click here to register!
October 10
- Alexandria, VA: Join us for a Clean Water Breakfast to learn how Virginia is faring toward reaching its water quality goals and what you can do. Alexandria Renew's CEO, Karen Pallansch, will speak on the water quality challenges next administration will need to tackle and our asks of the next Governor. Click here to register!
October 12
- Virginia Beach, VA: Join us for a Clean Water Breakfast and hear from Chris Moore, CBF's Senior Regional Ecosystem Scientist and Kyle Hart, Virginia Conservation Network's Wildlife & Sportsman Organizer on how the health of the Chesapeake Bay has improved as well as the challenges facing Virginia's next governor to improve water quality, enhance fisheries, and expand wildlife habitat. Click here to register!
October 14
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
- Baltimore, MD: The Great Baltimore Oyster Festival returns to Baltimore's Inner Harbor! Benefiting CBF and the Waterfront Partnership's Healthy Harbor Initiative, the festival includes live music, oysters (raw, fried, and grilled), seafood dishes from local restaurants, beer, wine, and specialty cocktails, and family-friendly activities. The event is free to attend but you need to purchase a ticket to eat oysters. Buy tickets here!
