On the Bay

People living in socially and economically stressed communities in Maryland don't feel prepared to deal with the expected effects of global climate change, like increased coastal flooding and heat waves.

Marylanders accepted into the Cecil County Watershed Steward Academy visited several sites in the Elkton, Maryland, area to scout for opportunities to clean up local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay downstream.

Graduate fellow William Yagatich learned through practice how to interview people effectively for his sociological research about efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay. He also learned on the job an even more important task: being a new father to an infant girl.

Meet the people accepted into the Cecil County Watershed Steward Academy. The extended training program equips Marylanders with the knowledge to launch projects that improve water quality in their own communities and the Chesapeake Bay beyond. Why do they want to become Master Watershed Stewards? And do they have what it takes to make it through the rigorous training?

Hart-Miller Island has slowly risen in the Chesapeake Bay over the past 30 years. Now the state is expanding public access for hiking and biking there.