About the Bay

Learn more about the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed with maps and information on wildlife, issues impacting the Bay's health, and more.

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    Jon McRay

    Explore the Bay

    Explore Bay-related stories, videos, podcasts, interactive activities, and more. You can even download Bay photo backgrounds for digital use.

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    Maps

    Explore our Map Portal to learn more about the Bay and its watershed, what issues are facing the Bay and its communities, and what CBF is doing about it.

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    Morgan Jones/CBF Staff

    Wildlife

    The Chesapeake is home to more than 3,000 species of plants and animals, including 348 species of finfish, 173 species of shellfish, and roughly 30 species of waterfowl. Discover some of the rich, extraordinary wildlife that make this place so special.

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  • Egrets and Moon OctavioAburtoiLCP 1171x593

    Octavio Aburto/iLCP

    Habitat

    The Chesapeake Bay provides food, water, cover, and nesting or nursery areas to more than 3,000 migratory and resident wildlife species.

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  • Stream through the middle of a forest Krista Schlyer/iLCP 1171x593

    Krista Schlyer/iLCP

    Plants

    The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports numerous types of plants, including underwater grasses, plants in tidal wetlands, and plants in nontidal wetlands.

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  • Wetlands - Bill Portlock - 1171x593

    Bill Portlock

    State of the Bay Report

    From 1998-2022, CBF's State of the Bay report tracked the health of the Chesapeake Bay and provided insight into the progress—or lack thereof—being made.

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The Bay Needs You

The State of the Bay Report makes it clear that the Bay needs our support now more than ever. Your donation helps the Chesapeake Bay Foundation maintain our momentum toward a restored Bay, rivers, and streams for today and generations to come.

Donate Today

Volunteer

Do you enjoy working with others to help clean the Chesapeake Bay? Do you have a few hours to spare? Whether growing oysters, planting trees, or advocating for a clean Bay, there are plenty of ways you can contribute.

Volunteer
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