Bold, ambitious, and audacious goals are usually met with one of two reactions—incredulity or inspiration. President John F. Kennedy issued such a goal when he declared in 1961 that by the end of the decade an American would stand on the moon. His announcement was met with doubt and reservation, but time would reveal he was a visionary.
Fast forward to today and the Chesapeake Bay needs its own moon race. While the health of the Bay is improving, it still is a system dangerously out of balance. Which is why this week we joined with more than 30 community groups, oyster growers, universities, and non-profits to commit to a goal of adding ten billion water-filtering oysters to the Chesapeake Bay by 2025.
Oysters are a keystone species of the Bay, providing a multitude of benefits. They provide critical habitat for critters, are an icon in the Bay's historic seafood industry, and are renowned for their filtering prowess. This beloved bivalve has existed for 15 million years, and at its peak there were more than one trillion oysters in the Bay. But decades of disease, pollution, and overharvesting led to their precipitous decline.
In recent years, real gains have been made in oyster restoration efforts. But to fully save the Bay we need more oysters. With these oysters, we will receive a triple bottom line benefit—clean water, more jobs, and strengthened economies.
Whether this oyster moon race is met with incredulity or inspiration, we know it won't be easy. But this goal is achievable if we work together. Join us in this effort, by signing the pledge to participate in this movement, and stay tuned in the days, months, and years ahead, as we work closely with our partners to add ten billion oysters to the Bay.
This Week in the Watershed: Drilling Forum, Bay News Funding, and Ten Billion Oysters
- The fight to protect Maryland's forests continues, as CBF and others work to update the Forest Conservation Act. (Capital Gazette—MD)
- The Bay Journal, a critical source for news on the health of the Bay and restoration efforts, learned it will receive the full funding of its grant from the EPA. The grant was pulled this past fall. (Washington Post)
- In Anne Arundel County, Maryland, a long-running land use dispute about a development in the Critical Area finally reached a resolution. (Capital Gazette—MD) BONUS: CBF Statement
- Governor Ralph Northam highlights a distinguished set of speakers addressing the prospect of oil and gas drilling off the coast of Virginia. The event is CBF's next Blue Planet Forum, March 5. (Bay Journal) BONUS: CBF Press Release
- The management of the menhaden fishery continues to be a subject of debate in Virginia's General Assembly. (Daily Press—VA) BONUS: CBF Statement
- EPA scientists published a new study, finding minorities and poor people are significantly more likely to be exposed to particulate matter emissions. (Greenwire)
- CBF and a coalition of partners announced their plan to add ten billion new oysters to the Bay over the next seven years. (Virginian Pilot—VA) BONUS: Press Release
What's Happening Around the Watershed?
March 3
- Hopewell, VA: Join us to cut harmful English ivy from park trees. The ivy is a creeping vine that can damage trees by acting as a sail in high winds. This invasive species also is not as beneficial to our native pollinators as our trees and understory plants. RSVP to Blair Blanchette at [email protected].
March 5
- Norfolk, VA: The Bay, the critters that call it home, the tourism economy, and the many jobs that depend on clean water all have something in common—they all could be dramatically impacted by oil and gas drilling off the Virginia coast. Join us for our next installment of our Blue Planet Forum on this pending threat titled Offshore Drilling: Perspectives to Consider. The panel discussion features Governor Ralph Northam. Click here to register!
March 18
- Virginia Beach, VA: Culinary experts have called oysters "the great undiscovered palate." With their unique flavors, characterized by the waters they live in, their complexity is comparable to the world's great wines. Join us for "From Bay to Vine, Oysters and Wine," as we explore the flavors of Bay oysters paired with Virginia wines, all while overlooking the birthplace of the American oyster industry in one of the greenest buildings in the world. Click here to register!
March 20
- Baltimore, MD: Waterfront Partnership and CBF's film series, "Docs from the Docks" continues, showing Ocean Cities: Exploring Our Connection to the Sea. Click here to register!
March 24
- Monroe, VA: Join us for a workshop with information about creating habitat for critters, protecting water quality, and beautifying your property with native plants and trees. Click here for more information and to register!
