Kayak Paddle and Community Science Data Collection

Join The Nature Conservancy to explore the tidal creeks of Cumberland Marsh Preserve and help us collect community science data on aquatic plants!

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is extremely important to the ecology and health of the Chesapeake Bay, and yet they were all but wiped out over the last 50 years. Recent environmental efforts are improving water quality, and SAV is starting to slowly make a comeback. We need to document its recovery so that we can plan for hands-on restoration efforts.

In support of the SAV Watchers Program, TNC is partnering with Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Maryland Department of Natural Resources to ground-truth and collect data on the condition of SAV beds in the Bay. Come join TNC’s manager of the Chesapeake Bay Wetlands Program to get out on the water to learn about SAV, Bay ecology, and how to identify and collect important data on SAV. Plus, we will get to have some fun paddling, exploring, and watching birds and other wildlife! Feel free to bring your binoculars along.

Attendees will need to bring their own canoe, kayak, or SUP and personal floatation device. We may have 1-2 extra kayaks if you need to borrow one, but we can't guarantee their availability. Please contact Brynna Strand at brynna.strand@tnc.org if you have any questions or are interested in borrowing a kayak.

Photo by Daniel White/TNC