For many of us here at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Bay is the most beautiful place on earth. Perhaps many of us feel that way thanks to our annual photo contest. Our inboxes are flooded with gorgeous images of majestic birds soaring through the air, captivating landscapes, and plenty of breathtaking sunsets. These images remind us why we love the Bay so much and help us bring the Bay and its rivers and streams to life throughout the year in all of our publications.
No matter the level of your photography prowess, we would love to see any images you might have captured from Pennsylvania to Virginia, from the Shenandoah Mountains to the Eastern Shore. Our only request is that all photos include water from the Chesapeake Bay or a river, stream, creek, or other body of water in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Images depicting people, wildlife, recreation, and farms within the watershed are all fair game.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then some of the photos we receive have quite a story to tell. Share your story with us today. Learn more about our photo contest and submit your photos!
P.S. The effort to make critical updates to Maryland's Forest Conservation Act is in crunch time. Marylanders, take action now and urge your legislators to protect our forests by voting yes on House Bill 766/Senate Bill 610!
This Week in the Watershed: Amish Farms, Flooding Hampton, and Maryland Trees
- CBF's Board of Trustees Chairman Harry Lester writes on the need to maintain federal funding for the Bay cleanup. (Washington Post)
- The Plain Sect community in Pennsylvania, comprised of Amish, Mennonites, and other Christian groups that separate themselves from many aspects of modern life, are making major strides in reducing sediment and nutrient pollution from their farms. (Bay Journal)
- Protecting our forests is not just good for the environment and local waterways, but also our pocketbook, writes CBF's Maryland Executive Director, Alison Prost. (Maryland Independent—MD)
- Cheers to Devil's Backbone Brewing Company, which raised over $290,000 for philanthropic causes, including CBF's oyster restoration efforts. (WSET—VA)
- A new report released the alarming finding that sea level rise is accelerating in Hampton Roads. (Virginian Pilot—VA)
- CBF's annual photo contest is underway, with submissions accepted through April 6. (WRIC—VA) BONUS: CBF Press Release
What's Happening Around the Watershed?
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! SOLD OUT!
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!
April 7
- Frederick County, MD: Come help CBF plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs along Linganore Creek on a beef cattle farm in Frederick County. Approximately 3,000 feet of stream banks will be planted resulting is five acres of new riparian buffer. Linganore Creek is in the Monocacy River watershed, which flows to the Potomac River then to the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to register!
April 10
- Virginia Beach, VA: With ospreys already returning to their summer homes, come learn about these incredible birds and other raptors at the first "flight" of CBF's Brock Environmental Center Learning Series! Click here to register!
April 21
- Washington County, MD: Join us Earth Day weekend and help us plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs along Little Antietam Creek. Click here to register!
