As we wrote last year at this time, there is no shortage of opportunities to join us in the field, on the water, or in the classroom this fall. Our calendar is truly chock full of events.
These events range from attending one of our candidate forums, to becoming a premier Bay advocate through our adult education program VoiCeS (Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards), to learning how to become an oyster gardener at workshops throughout Maryland. If you're looking for a good time, join us at our Save the Bay Family Day in Virginia Beach, head out on the water for our second annual Rod and Reef Slam, or come on board our historic skipjack, the Stanley Norman, for a unique perspective on Bay history and culture. For a full list of events, look below!
No single event, no matter how educational or life-changing, can save the Bay. But collectively, when we come together, we have the power and the influence to set a chain of events in motion that will leave a legacy of clean water to future generations.
This Week in the Watershed: Crab Threats, Dirty Coal, and a Beloved Bivalve
- Learn all about the biology, history, and future of the Bay's beloved bivalve at the next Brock Environmental Learning Series discussion titled, "The Legendary Bay Oyster." (Southside Daily—VA) BONUS: Register here!
- The Trump Administration's relaxed standards on coal ash are threatening local water quality. (Bay Journal)
- The abandonment of the Clean Power Plan and embrace of antiquated and dirty coal power plants could have a negative impact on air quality and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. (Daily Times—MD)
- CBF President Will Baker and Oceana's Chief Policy Officer for North America write on the foolishness of offshore drilling and the threat it presents to Chesapeake Bay blue crabs. (Baltimore Sun—MD)
- Alison Prost, CBF's Maryland Executive Director, writes on the value of oyster aquaculture in Southern Maryland and the need to abandon plans to limit its growth. (Enterprise—MD)
- Another church in Richmond is planning to build a community garden, providing fresh fruits and vegetables to congregants and alleviating polluted runoff. (Richmond Times Dispatch—VA)
- The record rainfalls have unknown consequences to local clam and oyster populations. (WJZ—MD)
What's Happening Around the Watershed?
August 31
- Shady Side, MD: Break a sweat and help Save the Bay—join CBF in cleaning the "homes" of the next generation of Chesapeake Bay oysters! Help restore the Chesapeake's native oyster population by cleaning oyster shells. We'll be shaking off the dirt and debris on shells so baby oysters can successfully grow on them. This "shell shaking" event is a bit of a workout but a fun, hands-on experience. With lifting involved, it is not recommended for individuals with bad backs or other health concerns. A tour of our restoration center will follow the shell shaking. Register here!
September 9
- Virginia Beach, VA: Join us for the second annual 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. Register here!
September 11
- Salisbury, MD: Join us for a Wicomico County Council Candidate Forum, a great opportunity to hear from the candidates about their vision for the future of Wicomico County and their ideas for overcoming the environmental challenges facing our communities. Attendees will also have the chance to submit questions to be asked during the forum. Register here!
- Virginia Beach, VA: The Brock Environmental Learning Series continues, focusing on the Bay's most iconic species–the Eastern oyster. Register here!
September 12
- Newport News, VA: 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 Hampton Roads VoiCeS class is a six-week course meeting on Wednesdays, starting September 12. Learn more and register here!
September 13
- 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. Register here!
- Cambridge, MD: As more local oyster farms are producing oysters, join us to indulge in some this beloved bivalve and learn more about this growing industry from a local oyster farmer. Learn more and register here!
- Wye Mills, MD: Join us for a Queen Anne's County Board of Commissioners Candidate Forum, a great opportunity to hear from the candidates about their vision for the future of Queen Anne's County and their ideas for overcoming the environmental challenges facing our communities. Attendees will also have the chance to submit questions to be asked during the forum. Register here!
September 15
- 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! Register here!
- Wachapreague, VA: Join us for the first annual Clamboree—a wonderful night of all-you-can-eat clams, live music, crab cake dinner, oysters on the half shell, and stunning views all supporting the important work of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in our community. Get your tickets here!
September 17
- Annapolis, MD: Join us for an Anne Arundel County Executive Candidate Forum, a great opportunity to hear from the candidates about their vision for the future of Anne Arundel County and their ideas for overcoming the environmental challenges facing our communities. Attendees will also have the chance to submit questions to be asked during the forum. Register here!
September 22
- Eastern Shore, MD: Experience a wonderful impact oyster restoration is having on the Eastern Shore–more fish! Join us for our Rod and Reef Slam Fishing Tournament, competing 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. Learn more and register here!
- 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. Register here!
- Baltimore, MD: Join us and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore for the 5th season of the Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership. Build oyster gardening cages, learn about oysters and their role in the Baltimore Harbor and Chesapeake Bay, and help us settle about 50,000 baby oysters into their "homes" off the Downtown Sailing Center pier. Register here!
September 27
- Easton, MD: Join us for a Talbot County Council Candidate Forum on the Environment, a great opportunity to hear from the candidates about their vision for the future of Talbot County and their ideas for overcoming the environmental challenges facing our communities. Attendees will also have the chance to submit questions to be asked during the forum. Register here!
September 28-29
- Virginia Beach, VA: Join us for our 8th 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, on-the-water experiences with CBF educators, and bird watching at the Brock Environmental Center. Learn more and register here!
September 29
- 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. Register here!
September 30
- 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. Register here!
October 4
- Easton, MD: Join us for our Chesapeake Book Club, diving into an environmental classic—William Warner's Beautiful Swimmers. This Pulitzer Prize winning book explores the ecological importance of the Chesapeake's blue crabs and takes a closer look at the lives and culture of the watermen who depend on them. Register here!
October 6
- Baltimore, MD: Join us and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore for the 5th season of the Great Baltimore Oyster Partnership. Build oyster gardening cages, learn about oysters and their role in the Baltimore Harbor and Chesapeake Bay, and help us settle about 50,000 baby oysters into their "homes" off the Downtown Sailing Center pier. Register here!
October 8
- Norfolk, VA: Celebrate the Lafayette River becoming the first tributary in Virginia to meet Chesapeake Bay Program oyster restoration goals. Join the official flotilla in planting oysters to complete the most recently expanded Lafayette sanctuary reef. Learn more and register here!
October 9
- Centreville, 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 Queen Anne's County VoiCeS class is a six-week course meeting on Tuesdays, starting October 9. Learn more and register here!
October 11
- Verona, VA: 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 Shenandoah Valley VoiCeS class is a six-week course meeting on Thursdays, starting October 11. Learn more and register here!
- Prince 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 Calvert County VoiCeS class is a six-week course meeting on Thursdays, starting October 11. Learn more and register here!
October 13
- Shady Side, 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. Register here!
October 20
- 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. Register here!
October 21
- 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. Save the date—tickets available soon!
