Explore the Bay
Home to more than 3,600 species of plants and animals, 100,000 rivers, creeks, and streams, and 18 million people, the Chesapeake Bay watershed is a rich and vibrant place. Learn more.
Learn About Our Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, an economic powerhouse, and a much-loved body of water. Discover why.
One of the most studied bodies of water in the world
A saved Bay is worth $130 billion
"Chesapeake" comes from the Algonquian word Chesapiooc
Wildlife and Habitats
The Chesapeake watershed is home to more than 3,600 species of plants and animals. Discover some of the extraordinary wildlife and the places they depend on that make this place special.
Issues, Maps, and Resources
The Issues
From climate change to air pollution to agricultural runoff, there are a myriad of threats that face our Bay, rivers, and streams. Learn about the challenges and how we can help address them.
Maps
CBF uses maps to explore data, analyze restoration progress, and communicate issues and successes across the Chesapeake Bay’s 64,000-square-mile watershed.
Resources
From educational materials to videos and reports, CBF provides a wide range of resources for people to learn about what’s going on in and around the Bay and how they can help.
Did you know?
Forests are one of nature’s most powerful tools for keeping our rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake Bay clean. But every year, thousands of acres vanish due to development and weak protections. As the Bay struggles to meet water quality goals, planting and protecting trees remains one of the most successful and cost-effective solutions.
Support the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
We can’t save the Bay without you! Make your tax-deductible gift for the Bay today.
