The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is committed to
providing educational and outreach opportunities promoting environmental
responsibility within the Chesapeake Bay watershed and contributing to
restoration efforts throughout the region. Bay grass restoration efforts
continue to increase in scale. There are several activities for students,
educators, and citizens to become involved in related to these efforts Current
education and outreach efforts and opportunities are detailed on this page.
Teacher/Student Opportunities
Bay Grasses in Classes Program
Maryland middle and high school students learn the importance of Chesapeake Bay
grasses through a cooperative program between Maryland’s Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). Since 1998, over 1,568 classes
and 40,970 students have been involved with Bay Grasses in Classes. As
part of the Bay Grasses in Classes program, students grow bay grasses in the
classroom for transplanting to select restoration areas in the Chesapeake Bay.
The program, cooperatively developed by DNR and CBF, provides teacher
instruction, curricula and equipment. Interested in having grasses in your
classroom? Use the interest form
to sign up.
Citizen Opportunities
Water Chestnut Harvesting
Water chestnut, (trapa natans), is an invasive exotic floating plant species
recently rediscovered in the Upper Chesapeake Bay. While open water beds of
water chestnut can be removed by mechanical harvesters, hand picking is required
to eliminate plants from shoreline areas. Volunteer efforts typically occur in
late June. For more information, contact Mark Lewandowski at the Department of
Natural Resources (410)260-8630 or mlewandowski@dnr.state.md.us. |
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SAV Restoration projects near you
In an effort to facilitate coordination of bay grass restoration efforts DNR
maintains information on SAV species,
planting
techniques, monitoring techniques and an online
database of SAV restoration projects in both Maryland
and Virginia on the website.
Bay Grasses need clear water
Excess nutrients and sediment loading from various sources block light from
reaching bay grasses. Much effort has been directed at reducing nutrient and
sediment loadings to the bays, with some resulting in increased grass
distribution. If you are interested in helping in this important effort, please
contact your local Tributary Strategies Team.
Maryland's Tributary Teams, comprised of local citizens, farmers, business
leaders and government officials, appointed by the Governor, are working to keep
your local waterways clean and healthy. As you may know, the health of the
streams and rivers that flow through your neighborhood directly affect the
health of the Chesapeake Bay. By controlling pollution upstream, in the streams
and rivers that feed the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland's Tributary Teams are working
to make a difference in our neighborhoods, our cities, towns, and the entire
Chesapeake Bay watershed. For more information call 410-260-8988 toll free
in Maryland 1-877-620-8DNR, extension 8988. Check out the website at:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/tribstrat/.
Other Opportunities at DNR
The Department of Natural Resources volunteer programs provide various ways for
citizens to get involved in environmental restoration projects. You simply need
a desire to improve Maryland's environment and a few minutes to spare. Volunteer
opportunities with the Department of Natural Resources are conveniently located
on one website. Browse other volunteer opportunities now. |
DNR Home > Bays & Streams >
Bay Grass Home > Education and Outreach
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