April 22nd is Earth Day, which means that there will be clean-up and conservation efforts worldwide. Because we live in one of the top 10 most populated areas in the United States, that means that we all need to work just a little harder to keep our corner of the Earth clean. We also live, work , and play in and around the nation’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay. This comes with a big responsibility 365 days a year, but on Earth Day, it is brought into our foresight. So how can we help keep the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries clean? One obvious suggestion is to not litter, and clean up after those who do.  Another great way to make sure that you, and your children, and their children can enjoy the Bay is to get involved. Earth Day is a great catalyst to get out of the house and go join a river or park cleanup. There are too many to count in the area over the next few months!

Project Clean Stream from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has more than 30 cleanups beginning on March 15 until May 17 throughout the region. The Surfrider Foundation will be hosting cleanups on the Potomac River in NW, DC, as well as in Ocean City, MD. The National Park Conservation Association will clean up Dyke Marsh in Alexandria, VA. Great Shiplock Park in Richmond, VA is holding a cleanup on Earth Day and Blue Water Baltimore is sponsoring a Storm Drain Stenciling Workshop. The City of Annapolis will hold their annual Spring GreenScape on April 26, to beautify, clean-up, and plant in public spaces.

You can always go to your local park and volunteer an hour of your time to help them out in clean up efforts.  If you can’t make it to any of these events, just make it a habit to pick up 5 pieces of trash every time you go on a walk. Every little bit helps! cleanstream.allianceforthebay.org waterkeeper.org annapolis.gov surfrider.org