2021 Conservation Success Stories

As 2021 comes to an end, I will soon be practicing my annual tradition of reflecting on the past year, focusing on my gratitude for all the good things I experienced. This year, I’d like to do the same for the environment - in an era of seemingly endless bad news about climate change and its drastic impacts, taking a moment to reflect on and appreciate some of the good news can help soothe our eco-anxiety and give us hope. Here are some of the conservation success stories from the Chesapeake Bay region in 2021: 

Fisheries and Wildlife

It’s always exciting to see proof that efforts to restore habitats are working. With the help of community science data like Chesapeake DolphinWatch, dolphins are being spotted in the Bay each summer in larger numbers than ever before. Oyster populations in Maryland improved  enough for the state to ease some harvest restrictions, and there is strong evidence that striped bass regulations are working to help the species rebound after years of overharvesting. Millions of eels have returned to the upstream waters of the Susquehanna River. And the Chesapeake Bay’s famous manatee, Chessie, was spotted for the first time in ten years.  

Increased Funding

In 2021, more money than ever was allocated to environmental projects. In addition to the billions of dollars in the federal infrastructure bill that are dedicated to climate resiliency projects across the country, historic amounts of funding were granted for local projects as well. More than $10 million dollars in grants was awarded by the EPA and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to local projects that will restore habitat, improve water quality, and build capacity for local communities to get involved in conservation projects. 

Commitments from Governments

In addition to increased funding, stronger commitments to actions are being made by politicians. The Chesapeake Executive Council signed a Climate Directive that will address the increasing threats of climate change throughout the watershed, as well as committed to the development of a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice implementation plan to infuse these efforts in Bay restoration work. Locally, plastic bag fees were passed in Northern Virginia and  Pennsylvania announced a huge purchase of solar energy. 

New Discoveries

This year, several exciting scientific and historical discoveries were made. Scientists have unlocked the complete genetic code of the blue crab, which will help us better understand their life cycle and behavior and inform management strategies. A new study found that the Chesapeake Bay’s marshes are worth billions of dollars in storm and flood protection, providing a strong argument for their protection and restoration. And the site of the home where Harriet Tubman grew up was discovered in Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, a significant historical and cultural event for the region. 

This is just a small handful of the great things that happened in 2021. As you reflect on these stories, and your own personal journey this year, I hope you feel inspired to move forward and continue showing up for the planet in 2022.