Save the Bay News: Urban Watersheds, Community Farms, and Rain Gardens

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Codi Yeager/CBF Staff

Our monthly roundup of engaging and educational content for you to enjoy at home.

It doesn't take a trek to a remote beach to experience the Bay—water and wildlife are often closer than we think, even in the watershed's biggest cities. Cities face many water-quality challenges, but they also offer many opportunities to help stop pollution in the Bay and its rivers and streams. This month, hear from anglers in Richmond about the importance of the James River, where they find fish and fellowship in the city. Take a close-up look at life in a Baltimore rain garden two years after CBF volunteers helped plant it to filter runoff into the city's harbor. Learn about the Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm in Northwest Baltimore and why supporting local food producers helps water quality. Find out more about our upcoming professional learning courses for watershed teachers that will tie together city and environmental issues. And don't forget to check out the Around the Bay in 60 Seconds news wrap-up to get the latest on Virginia's Clean the Bay Day, Bay restoration funding, and more.

VIDEO: Reel Richmond

Every spring, anglers from all walks of life flock to the James River in Richmond, Virginia as shad, perch, catfish, and more show up in great numbers. Some have been coming to the riverbank for years. They say the river—and the fish—bring people together and just plain make life better.

Teachers explore the health of the Chesapeake Bay and local ecosystems throughout the watershed—including cities—with CBF's Chesapeake Classrooms professional learning program.

Alexis Dickerson/CBF Staff

Exploring City Watersheds

From combined sewer overflows to heat islands, cities face unique challenges to water quality and human health (and they're often related). A new CBF professional development course this summer will help teachers in Baltimore, Richmond, and the District of Columbia bring these issues home for their students—the next generation of watershed stewards.

Codi Yeager/CBF Staff

Life in a Rain Garden

Two years after CBF volunteers helped plant a rain garden near Baltimore Harbor, an up-close look reveals a bounty of life. Green infrastructure like this is key for reducing pollution from urban and suburban areas, which damages water quality and continues to increase. It also benefits people and wildlife in the city.

Farmer Chippy and a fowl friend from Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm in Northwest Baltimore, MD.

Farmer Chippy

Farm Fresh

The Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm in Northwest Baltimore, Maryland helps feed the community with fresh produce and provides a place for youth to learn farming, responsibility, and more. Supporting local food producers is critical to a healthy Chesapeake—which is why CBF is working to get more resources to farmers across the watershed.

VIDEO: Around the Bay in 60 Seconds

In this month's news wrap-up, we cover Maryland's updated oyster stock assessment, federal funding for Bay restoration programs, a Pennsylvania high school's project to build pollinator habitat, Virginia's cutting-edge new Brock Classroom, and more.

An old black-and-white photo of elderly Harriet Tubman.

Born into slavery on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. After escaping slavery, she courageously made some 13 daring missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people.

Creative Commons.

What You Can Do

  • Bands in the Sand is back! Save the date to party with a purpose August 28 at CBF's Philip Merrill Environmental Center beach in Annapolis, Maryland.
  • Are you a teacher, principal, or school administrator? Check out all of our upcoming Chesapeake Classrooms summer courses for a professional learning adventure.
  • Sign our pledge and stand with us as we continue our fight to save the watershed's trees.
  • Saturday is Juneteenth. Take a look at why this day is so important and ways to celebrate across the watershed.
  • Now through June 30, your gift to save the Bay will be worth double thanks to a generous matching gift from our friends at The Orokawa Foundation!

Issues in this Post

Agriculture   Education   Environmental Justice   Fishing   Green Infrastructure   Land Use   Locally Grown   Runoff Pollution   Water Quality  




Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in the media or articles on this site are those of the speakers or authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions held by CBF and the inclusion of such information does not imply endorsement by CBF. CBF is not responsible for the contents of any linked Website, or any link contained in a linked Website, or any changes or updates to such Websites. The inclusion of any link is provided only for information purposes.


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.

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Save the Bay

Founded in 1967, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Bay.

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