The Maryland Coastal Bays watershed is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the state, draining approximately 175 square miles of Maryland’s coastal plain. Whether you’re drawn to Maryland’s Coastal Bays for the beaches, recreation, heritage, culture, local food, or access to the water, this area has enchantments worth honoring and protecting

Recreate Responsibility

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or you’re just looking for a relaxing day at the beach, it’s important to recognize steps you should take to recreate responsibly. 

• Know before you go: Prior to embarking on your adventure, make sure to check for fire restrictions, closures, and inclimate weather
• Respect others: Be sure to remain respectful and understanding towards our public, private, and tribal lands that we love so dearly. On top of this, remember that everyone recreates differently, so be kind to others using the space.
• Leave No Trace: There are 7 principles to Leave No Trace that ensure that as visitors, we are having the smallest possible impact on the space we are recreating in:

1. 1. Plan ahead and prepare
   2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
   3. Dispose of waste properly (pack out all trash and dispose of pet waste properly)
   4. Leave what you find (this includes sand, rocks, plants, shells, etc.)
   5. Minimize campfire impacts
   6. Respect wildlife
   7. Be considerate of others

• Leave it Better Than You Found it: As a collective, we have a responsibility to sustain the places we love. In Ocean City, you can do your part by joining a beach cleanup hosted by Beach Heroes OC. You can also volunteer with the MD Coastal Bays Program, who work to protect the Coastal Bays and its watershed. Keep reading to find more ways to volunteer 

Be a Good Neighbor 

Traditional lawns can oftentimes be harmful to the environment through the use of pesticides, non-native plants, and lack of biodiversity. Here are some useful tips for making your lawn a powerful force for good!

• Leave the leaves: The best way to support local wildlife in the colder months is by leaving the fallen leaves in your yard, since many species utilize the leaf cover for warmth and shelter. But if this is not an option for your lawn, try mowing over the leaves to break them down into smaller pieces. That way, they will decompose faster, and still provide essential nutrients to your soil. 
• The Great Acceptance:  Although it may be challenging, it is important to recognize that some (not all) types of weeds are beneficial to an organic garden. Wild Violet, for example, is oftentimes considered a weed, but it is actually a native plant and larval food source for fritillary butterflies. Clovers and dandelions are also important sources of pollen for early season pollinators. A change of mindset may be all you need to start seeing “weeds” as the amazing plants that they are.
• Grasscycle and follow the 1/3rd rule: By practicing proper mowing, you greatly improve your lawn’s appearance, promote healthy roots, reduce weeds, and lessen disease pressure. For mow height, remove no more than ⅓ of the grass blade each time you mow (Ex.  to maintain a 3″ height, mow when the grass reaches 4” in height). The practice of grasscycling, which is when grass clippings are left to decompose in your lawn after moving, is also a great way to encourage a healthier lawn and protect our environment. By grasscycling, you can reduce fertilizer use by 25% and decrease harmful runoff into local waterways. Click here for more helpful tips on mowing and grasscycling  

Become a Good Steward

The support of our community enables us to cultivate volunteer participation in all aspects of community science, education, and outreach activities. Volunteerism empowers citizens, influences governmental decisions, and assists in providing pathways to finding solutions to issues around our watershed. Here are some volunteer opportunities to check out:

• Stay up to date on upcoming MCBP volunteer events
• Help keep trash out of our waterways
  • Adopt a Beach/Street
  • Weekly trash cleanups with Beach Heroes OC
  • Beach Cleanups with Litter Free OC
  • Annual Marine Debris Plunder!
• Help protect oyster populations
• Monitor water quality in the MD Coastal Bays
• Help out the horseshoe crabs
• Compost with GoGreenOC

Click here to learn more about recreating in the Coastal Bays

References: https://www.recreateresponsibly.org/primary,  https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/, https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mowing-or-grasscycling-lawns/, https://extension.umd.edu/resource/organic-lawn-care/