Chesapeake Conservancy

Conserve: the worlds leading scientists are calling for dramatic increases in conservation efforts to conserve 30% of the earths lands and waters by 2030. Here in the Chesapeake, were working with partners to conserve 30% of the chesapeakes lands and waters by 2030, which is critical for climate resilience, biodiversity and water quality. Conserving land and forests provides habitat for wildlife and does a job that nature intended-filtering stormwater before it reaches the bay, helping to prevent sediment and nutrients from entering our waterways. When we conserve land, we also strive to ensure that it is open to the public for recreation, often by expanding or creating new parks and wildlife refuges.

Empower with data: Chesapeake conservancys conservation innovation center (cic) serves as a catalyst for change, leveraging cutting-edge geospatial data science, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to tackle pressing environmental and conservation challenges in the Chesapeake bay watershed. Our goal is to transform data into precise and actionable insights that restore and sustain the bays health for current and future generations. The cic has pioneered the use of high-resolution data products to deepen our understanding of both precision-based and landscape-scale conservation. Through strong public and private partnerships, the cics insights inform policies and drive targeted project priorities to maximize conservation outcomes. Using evidence- based strategies, quantifiable nature-based climate solutions and advanced analytics, we create innovative tools and analyses that empower evidence-based decision-making.

Restore streams: together with our partners, Chesapeake Conservancy is using the latest groundbreaking data and precision conservation to create a healthier environment upstream, for a healthier Chesapeake bay downstream. Restoration is possible through partnerships and a data-driven approach-starting with the streams. Restoring the bays 100,000 small tributaries is key to restoring the Chesapeake as the watersheds land-to- water ratio is 14:1, the largest of any of the large enclosed coastal water bodies in the world. With all of that land draining into very little water by comparison, stringing together high-value projects is the fastest way to see an improvement in fish, bug and wildlife habitat.