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
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 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 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
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently awarded competitive grants for nine flood reduction and restoration projects to help communities plan and design solutions to withstand flooding and other weather-related events. The selected projects will reduce risk for vulnerable … Continued
In 2026, work on the Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project (Mid-Bay Project) includes the construction of stone sills, breakwaters, and other structures. The Mid-Bay project, in partnership with MDOT MPA, includes restoration of 2,072 acres of lost remote island … Continued
A new Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) study revealed that bowfishing and gigging – using a pronged spear – are the most common ways northern snakehead (Chesapeake Channa) are harvested in Maryland. These methods eclipse hook-and-line, commercial, and departmental … Continued
Christmas 2025 bird counts at Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) sites near Baltimore documented an array of birds. Following a successful pilot last year, 2025 marked the first official year of the Baltimore City Christmas Bird Count (CBC) with three … Continued