Key Developments in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed | US EPA For those areas, scientists used statistical methods to estimate their health based on data that was available elsewhere in the watershed. Epifauna include oysters, mussels, barnacles, snails, starfish, sponges, and sea squirts. Recently, there has been significant attention to restoring shellfish reefs along eroding shorelines to reduce erosion. Students will use what has been introduced and apply this foundational knowledge to extend their learning. Here are, Interested in different common wetland plants? Mapping the Chesapeake Bay, Past to Present - National Geographic Society Students will be evaluated by their understanding of the pollution issues faced by the Chesapeake Bay watershed and by their presentations. An official website of the United States government. Through financial assistance, NPS Chesapeake Gateways develops planning documents, research, resource documents, studies, and much more. (Product No. Five Things You Didn't Know About the Bay. Measure the classroom beforehand (or, time permitting, with the students present for a more dramatic response) to develop a relevant estimation of how many of these gallon bottles would fit in the classroom and do the math as to how many rooms will be filled by the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Learn more about USGS science activities in the Bay from our Science Strategy. With your group, research and decide an approach that your group will use to create a solution to a pollution issue faced. Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National Park Service) NPS.gov Home Connected By Water Over 41 million acres are connected through the waters that flow to and through Chesapeake Bay. Oyster reefs provide valuable ecosystem services that contribute to coastal resilience. What can you learn about a fishs food source, habitat, and lifestyle just from looking at it? Lesson 1: Understanding the sources and importance of this vital natural resource. "Impact of Human Activity on the Chesapeake Bay" Informational Additionally, understanding which practices have been highly implemented in which areas can help identify new opportunities for future planning efforts. The Poster can also be ordered from the USGS Store at http://store.usgs.gov. www.chesapeakebay.net/, Even pollution emitted thousands of miles away can end up in our waterways. (3-5-ETS1-2), Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems (ETS1.A): Possible solutions to a problem are limited by available materials and resources (constraints). The outcome of having any type of bare spot is the same: storm water hits the ground and is not able to soak in to the land. Five major riversthe Susquehanna, Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and Jamesprovide almost 90 percent of the freshwater to the Bay. The health of streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed is improving The Chesapeake Bay and its vast watershed are home to many special places open for recreation, exploration, learning and more. Estrogenic activity response to best management - ScienceDirect The Committee proposed categorization of biochar use for purposes such as: A soil/media conditioner increasing soil structure and improving vegetative (both trees and crop) resilience Students, you are a team of USGS scientists and are tasked with identifying the most important information to provide to citizens about the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Lesson 2: How do humans affect this natural resource? The information is designed to help improve the understanding of the entire Bay ecosystem and enhance the ability to predict and measure the effects. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS These stressors include streambank erosion, nutrient runoff, temperature spikes and stream flow intensity, and more. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Students, you are a team of USGS scientists and were given the task of creating a presentation regarding a pollution problem to a group of citizens. 1750 Forest Drive Suite 130Annapolis, MD 21401, Tel: (800) YOUR-BAY (968-7229)Fax: (410) 267-5777, 2023 Chesapeake Bay Program All Rights Reserved, (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program), Chesapeake Basin-wide Index of Biotic Integrity, Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative website, West Virginia landowner collaborates with nonprofit to restore brook trout habitat, As an Anacostia tributary is restored, D.C. residents reap the benefits. Your donation helps the Chesapeake Bay Foundation maintain our momentum toward a restored Bay, rivers, and streams for today and generations to come. Please provide an appropriate amount of time to allow students to search, define, and complete this portion of their worksheet. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement has been renewed in subsequent years and was amended on January 24, 2020. Worksheets are Answer key what is the chesapeake bay watershed, Chesapeake bay watershed, Chesapeake bay activity book, Chesapeake bay watershed, Student reading part 1 exploring the san francisco watershed, Watershed, Name sciencekeyblock mapping activity, Note this edition of chesapeake bay introduction to an. The CBP 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, VA 20192, Chesapeake Bay Activities Newsletter April-June 2023, USGS Chesapeake Bay Science Strategy Fact Sheet, Estimated reduction of nitrogen in streams of the Chesapeake Bay in areas with agricultural conservation practices, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Tracking status and trends in seven key indicators of stream health in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Quantifying connectivity and its effects on sediment budgeting for an agricultural basin, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, United States, New study evaluates effects of agricultural conservation practices on nitrogen in streams of the Chesapeake Bay, Observed monitoring data and predictive modelling help understand ongoing and future vulnerability of Chesapeake Bay watershed stream fish communities to climate and land-use change, Improving Understanding and Coordination of Science Activities for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. A Maryland-native, Jake was born in a suburb of Annapolis and now lives a dog-walk away from the waterfront in Canton, Baltimore. More than 18 million people live in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Fix Your Schoolyard Bare Spots (PDF, 12 pgs, 1.2 MB) Bare spots are places where vegetation (such as plants, shrubs, grasses, flowers) no longer exists in the soil. Teachers and students will find these resources helpful for learning more about the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In your group, make a list of the three pollutants that you found most concerning and explain why these were the top three. Planning - Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National Park Service) A full list of partners involved in this work can be found on Chesapeake Progress. Assessing Freshwater River and Streams Condition, Status and Trends, Tidal Water Quality Status and Trends & Living Resources Abundance, Tracking the Implementation of Management Practices. The unique ecosystems that support a wealth of plant and animal life. Conservation practices classified as high-imp, Andrew Sekellick, Scott Ator, Olivia H. Devereux, Jennifer L. Keisman, The Bay Connects us, the Bay reflects us writes Tom Horton in the book Turning the TideSaving the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program is a unique regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. Additional summaries of the USGS Chesapeake Bay Activities are available in the science topics section. Disciplinary Core Idea - Human Impacts on Earth Systems (5-ESS3.C): Human activities in agriculture, industry, and everyday life have had significant effects on the land, vegetation, streams, ocean, air, and even outer space. Since the industrial revolution, a population boom in the Bay's watershed has caused a sharp rise in nutrient pollution (leaving MDE). Students should be allowed to describe their findings and comprehension in their own way. Satellite poster map of Chesapeake Bay aids management efforts. Vocabulary: watershed, tributary Materials (designed for 7 groups of 2-5 students) 7 blank maps of the Chesapeake Bay watershed 7 vis--vis markers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WIW2WBOUFU, The Chesapeake Bay: Air Pollution Get into action with our Student Investigation & Activity: The Chesapeake Bay watershed is home to a plethora of well-known birds. Settlement Reached in Suit Over Pennsylvania Pollution - Chesapeake Bay Investigation Series walks students through interpreting the field data, creating graphs, synthesizing correlations, and developing conclusions, all to investigate different real-world natural phenomena. What Is a Watershed? - Chesapeake Bay Click on an image below to select a fun and exciting activity and explore some special places around the Chesapeake. PDF Chesapeake Bay Watershed Activity - Virginia Institute of Marine Science Storm Drain StencilingMany people are not aware that most storm drains lead directly to waterways that dump into the Bay. The information on the map is used by the USGS in hard copy format for educational activities and in electronic soft copy format for land use analysis. Watch as Avett the Dog explores a forest and explains how he and other animals benefit from the clean air and water they provide in our Student Investigation & Activity: Curious about the benefits of riparian buffers and their close cousin, living shorelines? As the saying goes, "everything flows downstream." The teacher can choose how students will present, or it can be open-ended, allowing students to make that decision. Families flock to the Chesapeake for adventure and exploration. Chesapeake Bay Watershed NPS.gov Home What We Do Basic Information Basic Information The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways Program (NPS Chesapeake Gateways) is a community assistance and partnership network. Check out, You can also access real-time data from various points around the Bay as well as historic information about the area from John Smith's time through. (Answers will vary), Question Three: Engineering Moment You have researched some of the pollution issues faced by the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Students will develop an understanding of the many actions detrimental to the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, how these actions affect the ecosystem, and what can be done to mitigate the problem. Utilizing conservation as a best management practice can help mitigate increases in pollution from development, and protect vital natural resources such as forests, floodplains and wetlands. That is also expected to be reached. As a group, choose one of the issues and discuss possible solutions to the selected problem. The map is one of the products of the USGS Chesapeake Bay Science Program. (Answers will vary). Numerous efforts are underway to track and understand different characteristics of water quality and living resources in the Bay, how they're changing over time, and what drives these changes. CBF Educators Liz and Ronnie will walk you through the wonders of trees in our video. EPA works with federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations and academic institutions to coordinate restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed through the Chesapeake Bay Program, a unique regional partnership including EPA, six states and the District of Columbia, a tri-state commission, and participating advisory groups. (5-ESS3-1). Chesapeake Bay Restoration - Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/streamflow-and-water-cycle. NOAA Grants for Chesapeake Education | NOAA Fisheries Question One: After watching the two videos, what are the most interesting fact that you learned about oysters? Conservation in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Wetlands are not always wet year-round, and some of the most important wetlands are wet for only part of the year. From outdoor activities to great indoor destinations, theres a place you can visit today that your whole family will love. Explore our self-guided tool for investigating water quality that is based on data gathered from years of students going on field experiences with us. In addition, underwater grasses help to brace and support land from waves, slowing them down and reducing erosion. https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=chesapeake+watershed+maps&go=Search&qs=ds&form=QBIR&first=1&tsc=ImageHoverTitle, Ecosystem Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Headwaters, Severn River Tributary, Anne Arundel County Maryland Multiple state, federal and local partners, as well as community volunteers, wade into streams and collect water samples that give a snapshot of the macroinvertebrate life within a section of a stream. Conduct a teacher-facilitated discussion regarding what students were most surprised by in terms of what is currently polluting the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Using the Contaminants, what would be the most critical pieces of knowledge that they should know? (3-5-ETS1-1), Engineers improve existing technologies or develop new ones to increase their benefits, decrease known risks, and meet societal demands. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/chesapeake-bay-a-landsat-8-surface-reflectance-mosaic, Chesapeake Watershed Maps Sediment Sources and Transport in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Student knowledge will be assessed on the completeness, obtainment of the requested information, and the quality and effort of their presentation, including posters, charts, diagrams, models, and other material, and their ability to exhibit that they understand the information. The "By the Numbers" component can be utilized to create excitement or initiate discussion regarding the lesson plan topic. Identifying the highest loading areas can be effective for geographic targeting. To provide additional background knowledge, students can watch the video: Ecosystem Restoration in the Chesapeake Bay Headwaters, Severn River Tributary, Anne Arundel County Maryland (related link). Bay-Friendly Living Tips -How can my behavior at home impact the Bay? Pollution in the Bay - Department of the Environment Waterfowl and other birds migrating along the Atlantic Flyway stop in and around the Bay, finding food and shelter in coves and marshes. Federal Employment - Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National Park Service) Learn more about how to participate in this important project. The Chesapeake Bay's 64,000-square-mile watershed covers parts of six states and is home to more than 18 million people. Students will create a diagram of their design and a model of the filtration system to share during the group presentation. Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National Park Service) This is a student-centered discussion with the teacher as the facilitator to continue student thought and discussion. USDA Announces Initiative, Invests $22.5 Million in Water Quality Students will research and present information regarding the components of the Chesapeake Bay watershed in the state assigned to their group. Additionally, droughts and climate change may further impact farmlands both within the region and out Chesapeake Bay - Wikipedia One oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water in one day! While conditions vary from region to region, with some areas of the watershed showing degrading trends, the overall net improvement trend suggests that environmental stressors on streams may be slowly lessening in many parts of the Chesapeake watershed. . Check out the places below to find a great activity for you and your family to enjoy. The U.S. Geological Survey provides integrated science that helps formulate, implement, and assess the effectiveness of conservation and restoration actions in the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Photos, models, charts, graphs, and USGS sources will be utilized to assist students in understanding this focus. The State of the Bay Report makes it clear that the Bay needs our support now more than ever. habitat - the place where a plant or animal lives, Oyster Aquaculture Could Significantly Improve Potomac River Estuary Water Quality (Essay) The Chesapeake Bay Program was organized in 1983 to help lead and direct the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The bay's airshed is large: approximately 570,000 square miles, nine times as large as the watershed. Professional development experiences funded by Chesapeake B-WET give educators the tools they need to help their students become environmentally literate. According to data released by the Chesapeake Bay Program, these streams are getting healthier as a whole, improving by 6% since a 2008 baseline. The 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement includes an Environmental Literacy Goal that commits states in the region to prepare every student with the knowledge and skills necessary to responsibly protect and restore their local watershed. Development and urbanization at the cost of natural landscapes can lead to increased pollution of nutrients and sediment to the Bay, especially from stormwater runoff. Explore By Community - Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National Park Farms - Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National Park Service) Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions: Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 35 builds on K-2 experiences and progresses to the use of evidence in constructing explanations that specify variables that describe and predict phenomena and in designing multiple solutions to design problems. Alerts - Chesapeake Bay Watershed (U.S. National Park Service) Students will research and present their findings, a diagram, and a model of their filtration system. Latest Earthquakes | Live WebChatShare Social Media. The Chesapeake Bay is our nation's largest estuary and provides over $100 billion in annual economic value. (3-5-ETS1-3). Check out our Student Investigation & Activity: Join CBF Educator Cameron Crannell to explore a stream in Virginia and evaluate the water clarity to determine how sediment is impacting the water in our Student Investigation & Activity: Which is more effective in reducing erosion, armored shorelines or living shorelines? Share the USGS Chesapeake Bay: A Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance Mosaicto understand how this region looks from this point of view. Its difficult to imagine the size and scale of our watershed. But how much do you really know about them? CBF Oyster RestorationThe Oyster Corps is a diverse collection of citizens and students dedicated to the common purpose of restoring oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. Targeting and prioritization can be done in many different ways, including geographically, by sector or by practice. 96% posterior probability of estrogenic activity reduction given BMP intensity. Each female oyster can produce over 100 million eggs during a spawning event. https://www.noaa.gov/oyster-aquaculture-could-significantly-improve-potomac-river-estuary-water-quality, Get Your Feet Wet: Oysters (PBS Kids video) The Chesapeake Bay watershed stretches across more than 64,000 square miles, encompassing parts of six states Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and the entire District of Columbia. (Sewage, chemical pollution, contaminated drains, agricultural runoff, etc. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Pack a picnic lunch, and you can spend the whole day exploring. The Chesapeake Bay watershed contains the largest estuary in the United States. https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/ecosystem-restoration-chesapeake-bay-headwaters-severn-river-tributary-anne-arundel, Updated 2020 Nutrient and Suspended-Sediment Trends for the Nine Major Rivers Entering the Chesapeake Bay A group of Pennsylvania student leaders even wrote a bill to designate the Eastern hellbender as the official state amphibian of Pennsylvania! USGS scientists use the image of the entire 64,000-square-mile drainage basin of the Chesapeake Bay to provide a snapshot of surface conditions, including vegetation, that can be compared with historical and future images to help produce a report card of progress or setbacks in meeting resource management goals. Who are specific programmatic partners that will benefit from this integration? According to data released by the Chesapeake Bay Program, these streams are getting healthier as a whole, improving by 6% since a 2008 baseline. USGS scientists use the image of the entire 64,000-square-mile drainage basin of the Chesapeake Bay to provide a snapshot of surface conditions, including vegetation, that can be compared with historical and future images to help produce a report card of progress or setbacks in meeting resource management goals. Allowing this process will afford the teacher an informal initial assessment of student understanding regarding this topic. Farmer participation in USDA conservation programs is voluntary and the implementation data are privacy protected. Length: Three lessons; one lesson per week (teacher determines the correct pace for their students). Overall, the 2020 dead zone lasted 95 days41 days shorter than 2019. contaminants - substances that make the water or land impure, unclean, or polluted, dead zone - a place where little or no oxygen is present in the water; the decomposition of algae blooms often causes dead zones, ecosystem - an interactive system of a biological communities and its non-living environment, nitrogen - an inorganic nutrient essential for plant growth and reproduction; excess can cause eutrophication, non-point source pollution - pollutants entering waterways from a general area, such as runoff from farmland or suburban communities, point source pollution - pollutants entering waterways from a single discharge location, such as a pipe or ditch, phosphorus - an inorganic nutrient essential for plant growth and reproduction; excess can cause eutrophication, Contaminants Recently Updated ), Question Two: You have had time to research human actions that affect the Chesapeake Bay watersheds water quality. Engineering Design (3-5-ETS1): Students who demonstrate understanding can: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. Question One: Which states and district use the Chesapeake Bay watershed as a water source? Under the settlement, EPA will prioritize efforts in Pennsylvania on the counties that contribute the most pollution to, or have the largest impact on, local rivers and streams. The USGS works with Federal, State, local, and academic partners to provide research and monitoringand to communicate results to inform management for the Chesapeake and other important landscapes across the Nation. Resources for Teachers and Students Looking to learn more about the Bay? Latest Earthquakes | Live WebChatShare Social Media. Your comment has been received. Watch our video of a baby osprey feeding on a menhaden at CBF's headquarters at the Philip Merrill Center. A lock () or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Investigation Series, Trees, forests, and forested (or riparian) buffers. Each group will need to research one of the topics illustrated in the videos (stormwater runoff, chemical contaminants, agriculture, air pollution, or wastewater) regarding how these human-created issues are harming the Chesapeake Bay watershed. An oyster can live to be up to 20 years old. Find out the difference in our Student Investigation & Activity: How does CBF protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed? Chesapeake Basin-wide Index of Biotic Integrity, or Chessie BIBI. Join CBF Educators Maya, Ochae, and Nate in our, In addition to our watershed, did you know we also have an airshed? Check out CBFs. Spend a sunny day frolicking at the beach in Maryland or Virginia. Smart growth practices can also help mitigate the increases in stormwater and associated risks such as flooding. Valued for its commercial and recreational value, the Chesapeake Bay is the nation's largest estuary, whose 64,000 square mile watershed includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia and West Virginia.