You don’t have to be an angler or boater to benefit from the Chesapeake Bay. The largest estuary in the United States stretches from Havre de Grace, Maryland, to Virginia Beach, and its health affects our health.
The Bay contributes to the air we breathe, the seafood we eat and the water we drink. It affects our property values. If you live on the Middle Peninsula, the bay is integral to where you work and play.
That’s why it’s important for everyone in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to do their part and keep the bay as clean as possible. For the last 33 years, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has designated the first Saturday in June as Clean the Bay Day. This year that falls on June 4 from 9 a.m. until noon.
For three hours, volunteers can participate in cleanup, an effort that has resulted in roughly 6.64 million pounds of debris being removed from the Chesapeake Bay since the initiative started in 1989.
Litter, bottles and construction debris all need to be removed. If you’re willing to bring your boat, you can paddle out to some of the less accessible sites by foot. Bring gloves and shoes that you don’t mind getting soiled. If you’re going to walk along the shoreline, boots and waders are a must.
Type in your address on this interactive map to find the most convenient location for you to clean the bay.
You can also go to the Interpretive Area at Machicomoco State ParkDiscover Machicomoco State Park By Taking a Class in Hayes to participate in a park cleanup on behalf of Clean the Bay Day. No advance signup is needed.
Got plans that Saturday? Participate any time during the week of May 30-June 4 in a DIY event geared at cleaning up an area in your community.
Work to keep the bay clean year-round by adopting an environmentally conscious mindset. Practice simple tips, such as using eggshells in the garden rather than tossing them in the trash. Find natural ways to kill weeds. Recycle. Use toxic-free paint on your hull. Bike or carpool to reduce emissions.