Restoration Science Workshop Series 

Session 1: Shorelines, Wetlands, and Uplands ~ Habitat Restoration for a Healthy Bay

Restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its 64,000-square-mile watershed is an enormous undertaking. Four centuries of population growth, land use changes and the harvesting of Bay species has taken its toll on the Bay ecosystem, resulting in polluted waterways and dwindling natural resources.  Today, after more than two decades of Bay and watershed restoration efforts, we have seen a decrease in the amount of pollution coming to the Bay from the major tributaries.  Although that's good news, a clean Bay is the ultimate restoration measure and we are still a ways away from this end. Some signs are positive, but other key indicators are lagging. Overall, the Bay remains degraded.  However we are working harder than ever to bring the estuary back to health through restoration efforts.

During this workshop series we will explore the science that underlies some of the major restoration strategies being implemented in the Chesapeake region, and consider how the science could be applied to education-scale restoration efforts being supported by the environmental education community. We will look at specific case studies to illustrate habitat, species, and ecosystem restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

Session 1 Highlights

In Session 1, we will look at the complex process to restore shorelines, wetlands, and upland areas in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. What environmental issues must be considered in projects such as these, and what science concepts are applicable to local small scale restoration designs? Join us as we visit a local shoreline restoration project to help illustrate the many challenges of ecosystem/ habitat restoration, with strategies to help you plan projects at  your site, or support schools who may need assistance with similar efforts. 

Workshop Goals

• Develop an understanding of the science underlying the large and small scale restoration efforts taking place in the Chesapeake Bay region; 
• Provide access to, and knowledge of tools for exploring issues related to restoration science;
• Provide access to, and knowledge of quality existing education resources that will help us understand and contribute to Bay restoration activities;
• Cultivate hands-on/ field-based activities for illustrating (conducting) the components of restoration science; and, 
• Provide the opportunity for educators and scientists to interact on topics related to Chesapeake Bay restoration and conservation efforts. 

Workshop Format

Workshops in this series will take place at NOAA’s Environmental Science Training Center in Oxford, Maryland, and will be about five hours long, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  If you are interested in participating or have questions please contact Bart Merrick.

Session 2: Species Restoration: A Focus on Oysters is scheduled for March 14, 2013.

 

 

 

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