Save the Bay News: The Potomac, Climate Change, and Searching for Spring Peepers

This month, we go searching for spring peepers, debrief on legislative sessions in Maryland and Virginia, learn more about the threats to the ‘Nation’s River’ and what we can do about them, and so much more.

The Potomac is the second largest river that flows into the Chesapeake Bay, starting high in the Appalachian mountains and running through some of the region’s best farmland and densest urban areas. It’s a path that makes it one of the Bay’s most recognizable rivers—and now, according to American Rivers, the most endangered river in the country. From aging sewage infrastructure to data centers, we took a look at some of the biggest threats to the Potomac, and what we can do about them. One of the things we can and are doing is restoration work in the upper reaches of the Potomac, a job that more than a dozen college students volunteered to help CBF staff with over their spring break. But some threats go beyond a single river; this month CBF also joined a group of organizations suing to block the Trump administration from rolling back protections against climate change, which is making Bay restoration harder. At the end of the day, a healthy Chesapeake Bay takes everything from cleaning up trash (you can still join our upcoming Clean the Bay Day in Virginia) to changing state policy (read our wrap-ups of legislative sessions in Maryland and Virginia). It also takes remembering why we care about this place—and on that point, we’ll leave you with one of our favorite seasonal joys: searching for tiny spring peeper frogs.

Puleo/iStock

In Search of Spring (Peepers)

The spring peeper is the voice of the season. But how do you find a frog that’s the size of a thumbnail, lives on the edge of vanishing pools, and sings under the cover of night? We tried our hand at tracking down these elusive, fascinating animals; it’s harder than you might think, but the search itself is worth the effort!

Valerie DiMarzio/CBF Staff

Books to Brooks

Instead of soaking up the Florida sun and waiting in long airport security lines, more than a dozen University of Delaware (UD) students decided to spend spring break helping clean the Chesapeake Bay. From planting trees in the places where rivers are born, to building homes for oysters, they helped staff restore the Bay from top to bottom—literally.

Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program

Saving the Potomac River

The Potomac River earned a dubious distinction this month, topping American Rivers’ list of the country’s most endangered rivers. Despite this, it remains a place of beauty. We’re working to turn things around by taking on pollution from a range of sources, including aging sewage infrastructure, stormwater, agriculture, and toxic forever chemicals.

iStock

Actually, Climate Does Matter

Climate change is making it more difficult to clean up the Chesapeake Bay and protect its people and wildlife. But this month, the federal government finalized a new rule that makes it harder to stop the pollution that drives climate change. CBF joined a lawsuit to challenge the new rule. Here we explain why.  

Dean Thomas Harrison

Yea or Nay: How’d Your State Vote on Bay Issues?

Lawmaking sessions in Maryland and Virginia are officially a wrap. CBF advocated on a range of issues, including protecting funding for restoration programs that reduce pollution, fighting to improve the management of fisheries, and working to make communities safer and more resilient to climate threats. You can find the full breakdown of outcomes on our Maryland and Virginia legislative pages. 

In the News

Chesapeake Bay Foundation sues to block Trump climate protection rollbacks: CBF, represented by Earthjustice, joined a coalition of organizations challenging the Trump Administration’s repeal of the landmark finding that climate change-fueling greenhouse gases pose a threat to the public.

Pennsylvania farmers will connect for healthier local waters under a new grant: CBF will create cleaner rivers and streams in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia through regenerative farm practices like converting row crops to pasture, better livestock grazing, and streamside trees under a new National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) grant.

Joint Base Andrews jet fuel leak raises major concerns for local community and waterways: The U.S. Air Force base in Prince George’s County, Maryland alerted state officials this month to the release of 22,000 gallons of jet fuel into Piscataway Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River.

As striped bass struggle, Maryland adopts new fishing season: CBF and its members submitted hundreds of public comments in support of the new seasons that took effect this month, which are intended to protect the Chesapeake Bay’s struggling striped bass population.

Virginia Beach City Council moves to buy key land and protect Crab Creek lots: The action will help protect a small set of parcels on the eastern end of Pleasure House Point near the public boat ramp—land that could have been developed into up to ten duplexes or five single-family homes.

Maryland Governor Moore signs Bay-friendly budget: Lawmakers preserved the state’s environmental investments despite a challenging $1.5 billion deficit.

Trump budget hurls hurdles at Chesapeake Bay restoration: Restoring the Bay relies on support from many federal efforts that would be slashed or eliminated in the top-line budget proposal released this month.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation surveys litter on Lafayette River ahead of Clean the Bay Day: The survey emphasized the importance of improving water quality as CBF and partners gear up for Virginia’s statewide major litter cleanup scheduled this year for the morning of May 2.

Something to Celebrate

This Newsletter Won Gold!

The Save the Bay newsletter has won Gold in the 2026 Hermes Creative Awards. This honor has inspired us to look back on the story of this newsletter and filled us with deep gratitude for you, our readers, who continue to inspire us to raise the bar and tell the Bay’s stories.

What You Can Do

• Two of our BIGGEST events are coming up fast! In Virginia, our largest volunteer event, Clean the Bay Day, is this Saturday. Join us at your closest cleanup site to make a real, hands-on difference for our local waterways and the Bay. In Maryland, our largest fundraiser of the year, Bands in the Sand, will be here soon. There are still some spots on the beach—but they’ll be gone before you know it! Get your tickets today to party for the Bay.
• CSA shares are still available from CBF’s Clagett Farm in Maryland, and you can start your pickups as early as next week. Sign up to get 26 or 13 weeks of fresh, nutritious local produce straight from the farm and onto your dinner table. Payment plans are available, and we’ll let you know each week what to expect so you’re prepared to make the most of your veggies.
• Legislative sessions have wrapped up in Maryland and Virginia, but advocating for clean water and the Bay is year round. Learn more about how you can advocate for the Bay everyday.
• Did you know there are perks to being a CBF member? Members enjoy our award-winning Save the Bay magazine, exclusive invites, discounts on CBF gear, and more—plus knowing that you’re helping restore and protect our Bay for the generations that come after us. Join today with a donation and be part of the Save the Bay movement.

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