This Week in the Watershed: 10 Million Keystone Trees

Pennsylvania's streams and rivers might not contain blue crabs, oysters, or other iconic Chesapeake Bay critters, but with more than 50 percent of the Bay's freshwater flows coming from the Susquehanna River, the Keystone State determines the health of the Chesapeake.

It's no secret Pennsylvania continues to lag significantly behind the other Bay states in meeting its pollution-reduction commitments. With roughly 19,000 miles of the Pennsylvania's rivers and streams impaired, the Keystone State must boldy accelerate its clean-up efforts to meet its commitments.

Which is why this week, a coalition of national, state, and local partners announced one of the most ambitious, collaborative, and challenging efforts to restore and protect Pennsylvania's rivers and streams—the planting of 10 million trees by the end of 2025.

Why trees? To start, trees are one of the most cost-effective ways to restore and protect stream health and help keep nutrients and soils on the land. The benefits of trees also extend beyond their environmental impact. They improve public health by filtering the air we breathe and the water we drink. Trees are an economic driver, reducing utility costs, improving real estate values, and providing recreational tourism.

Planting this many trees will require many hands. Organizations, business, schools, citizens, and government all are needed for this collaborative partnership. Years of effort lie ahead to galvanize support, influence public policy, and execute these plantings. But the juice is worth the squeeze.

Join us in this effort to restore and protect clean water for generations to come! And we're planting trees around the rest of the watershed, too. For those outside the Keystone State, let us know you're interested in helping us plant more trees!

This Week in the Watershed: Dead Zone Destroyers, Resurgent Grasses, and Partnering for Trees

• CBF submerged the first half of 240 reef balls in the Severn River in Maryland to create a vertical oyster reef and test whether such reefs can break up dead zones that often plague the river. The project is part of the Chesapeake Oyster Allicance to add 10 billion oysters to the Chesapeake by 2025. (Capital Gazette—MD)
• Senators are working to increase funding for agricultural cleanup funds as part of the next Farm Bill. (Daily Times—VA)
• A coalition of groups, led by CBF, is planning to plant 10 million trees in Pennsylvania over the next seven years. (Lancaster Online—PA) BONUS: CBF Press Release
• Fantastic news for the Bay, as underwater grasses surged to a new record high. (Bay Journal)
• A Maryland farmer has gone through quite a journey towards his farm environmentall sustainable. (Farm Futures)
• A new study suggests forests help combat climate change, not only through storing vast amounts of carbon, but also cooling down their environment. (ClimateWire)

What's Happening Around the Watershed?

April 28

• Baltimore County, MD: Come help CBF plant more than 700 trees along Compass Run in the Prettyboy Reservoir watershed. This stream system supports brook trout, a fish species that is rapidly losing its habitat due to climate change. Register here!
• Upper Marlboro, MD: Join us at CBF's Clagett Farm for our spring open house! Watch cows and baby lambs romp around playfully and learn all about sustainable agriculture. A free event great for the whole family. Learn more!

May 16

• Virginia Beach, VA: Join us for a boat trip on the Lynnhaven River. Examine what is living in this diverse and dynamic part of the Chesapeake Bay, and learn about the recovery of the oyster population in the Lynnhaven. 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!

May 19

• 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!

May 30

• 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!

May 31

• Easton, MD: Join us for a screening of High Tide in Dorchester, a film which explores the impacts of climate change on our coastal communities. A cash bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres are available and the filmmaker will speak following the screening. Learn more and register!

June 2

• Throughout Virginia: Join us for the 30th annual Clean the Bay Day! One of the largest volunteer efforts in Virginia, roughly 6,000 volunteers each year remove more than 100,000 pounds of harmful debris from Virginia's waterways and shorelines. With sites all across the Commonwealth, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Learn more and register!
• 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!
• 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!
• Columbia, PA: High school students from across the Keystone State team up in pairs of two to test their canoeing skills against other high school teams. This year's event will be part of the Riverlands Trail Festival and Lancaster Water Week. In addition to the canoeing competition, there will be educational exhibits, live music, and an awards ceremony. Register here!