All eyes are south of the Bay watershed this week, as Hurricane Florence barrels towards the Carolinas. The storm is predicted to cause billions of dollars in damage, with historic flooding and devastating storm surge forecast.
Further north, we have seen our fair share of rainfall this summer, as August's freshwater flows shattered a 63-year record. Scientists now fear the excess freshwater might have negative impacts on the Bay. This unusually soggy summer washed tons of polluted runoff into local rivers and streams. While the full impact of all this rain is to be determined, the excess nutrients and sediment can wreak havoc on the Bay's ecosystem. Moreover, all the freshwater will likely drop the salinity level, which can have negative impacts on oysters, crabs, and other critters.
And unfortunately, the strength and frequency of extreme weather events will increase due to climate change. The Bay is fortunate Florence took a turn southward this week, but rising waters, unpredictable weather patterns, and increased storm intensity are already a reality.
But there are solutions at hand. As we fight for clean water, many of the solutions also combat climate change. These include planting forested buffers, which sequester tons of carbon, reducing impervious surfaces, which reduces the urban heat island effect, and restoring oyster reefs and other living shorelines, which provides a natural barrier during storms.
It's clear that protecting and restoring the Bay helps fight climate change. And with the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, we will continue the work to leave a legacy of clean water to future generations.
This Week in the Watershed: Florence Fever, Pogie Postponement, and Oyster Castles
- Hurricane Florence is just one of the weather concerns facing watermen on the Bay. (Baltimore Sun—MD)
- Construction to two controversial pipelines in Virginia will continue with "aggressive" monitoring, but environmentalists argue the existing environmental rules will not protect Virginia's rivers and streams. (Bay Journal)
- Oyster shells are a hot commodity in oyster restoration efforts after years of being tossed in the trash. (New Food Economy)
- Scientists are concerned that the impact from this summer's torrential rains could be worse than originally thought. (WJZ—MD)
- Maryland farmers are finding success reducing the amount of nitrogen reaching the Bay, but more forested buffers would improve the health of local waterways even further. (Frederick News Post—MD)
- Freshwater flows into the Bay hit an August record last month, as on average, streams and rivers were sending 133,000 cubic feet of water per second into the Bay. (Baltimore Sun—MD)
- The ongoing drama over the management of the menhaden fishery in Virginia continues, as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission decided to give Virginia another year to comply with menhaden limits or face a potential moratorium. (Bay Journal)
- A one-of-a-kind fishing tournament is set for September 22, where anglers will experience one of the benefits of oyster reefs—more fish! (Capital Gazette—MD) BONUS: Register now for the Rod and Reef Slam!
- A new program introduced by a school on Maryland's Eastern Shore allows students to take a deep dive in the study and restoration of the Bay. (Chestertown Spy—MD)
What's Happening Around the Watershed?
September 15—These events are cancelled due to Hurricane Florence. Please stay tuned for rescheduling details.
- 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!
- 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!
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. Get your tickets!
