CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION www.cbf.org

Saving a National Treasure… Chesapeake Bay watershed is 64,000

square miles; located in six states 11,600 miles of tidal shoreline 16 million people live in the watershed Bay supports 3,600 species of plant and

animal life Leading threat to health of the Bay is

excessive nitrogen and phosphorus pollution

Dead Zones Too little oxygen to support a healthy

ecosystem Low dissolved oxygen levels, called

hypoxia, impairs growth and reproduction of aquatic animals, and makes them more susceptible to disease

Water with no oxygen will kill most aquatic animals

Dissolved Oxygen Levels

Problem in the Mainstem

Decomposition of spring algae blooms causes hundreds of square miles of bottom waters to become hypoxic or anoxic during much of the summer

Low levels of DO for as much as 10 months of the year

Leading by Example… Philip Merrill

environmental center is made entirely of recycled material

First building to receive the U.S. Building Council’s Platinum rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Conserving Water No flush toilets Waterless

composing toilets that convert human waste to soil over three years

Rainwater used for hand washing, mop sinks, fire suppression

Improved Habitat Habitat

restoration on site Planted native

trees and bushes Requires no water

or fertilizer Holds soil in

place, preventing erosion

Native Gardens…

Vital Signs – Assessing the State of Chesapeake Bay Agriculture

An acre of well-managed agricultural land is better for the Bay than an acre of new development

“Talk to neighbors, (other) farmers, members or leaders of local civic groups, churches, watershed organizations, or land trusts. Raise your concerns with local or state political leaders.”

Wetland Restoration

Wetland Restoration

Replace wooden bulkheads with natural materials to create a natural habitat that filters run-off

Oyster Restoration Project Oysters are the

Bay’s natural water filter system

Planted oyster reefs at three different locations; Annapolis MD, Cambridge MD, Shady Side MD

Oyster Restoration Project

Wade neck-deep into the Bay, place clusters of oysters on reef

Provides habitat for many species of fish and crab

Only 2 percent of its historic level

Responsible Boaters

Drove to local marinas to post Responsible Boating posters

Low wake close to shore Responsible waste management