Recent surveys of juvenile striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay watershed yielded mixed results for 2026. Conducted by biologists in Maryland and Virginia, the surveys included counts of juvenile striped bass and other species in waters of the Chesapeake Bay. … Continued
The new bird islands at Barren Island were designed with nesting birds in mind, but in 2026, wildlife moved in even before construction was complete. Common terns and least terns began nesting on the newly created sandy habitat during a … Continued
A recent Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) report details the significant growth of the oyster population and substantial progress toward the state’s oyster management goals for the past five years. The report is part of the department’s commitment to … Continued
A dense, annual-blooming marine algae species is causing discolored water called a “red tide” in the Chesapeake Bay off the coast of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). On September 21, VDH warned the public … Continued
In 2025, underwater grass abundance increased in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. In Maryland’s portion of the Bay, underwater grass coverage expanded from 36,799 acres in 2024 to 41,419 acres in 2025, an increase of nearly 13% in … Continued
In August, 2026, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced a new, collaborative statewide public fishing and boating access strategy. The strategy provides a clear blueprint for state agencies and … Continued
In August, the state of Maryland released information about its pollution reduction targets set under the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement to improve water quality. Based on the most recent information from the Chesapeake Bay Program’s pollution model, Maryland achieved … Continued
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is awarding $11.2 million in grants from the Whole Watershed Fund to accelerate restoration efforts in five key watersheds across the state. Established by the Whole Watershed Act, this second year of the … Continued
The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) recently announced the acquisition of one of the largest remaining undeveloped properties in Calvert County’s Parkers Creek Watershed. Purchased in June 2026, the property increases the permanently protected lands under ACLT’s management to more … Continued
A fish kill impacted multiple species on the Potomac River during the July 4th weekend, according to Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) social media posts. MDE scientists began investigating the fish kill following reports of dead fish along a … Continued