Celebrate Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week June 3-11

Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week takes place this year from June 3 to 11 and is a time to celebrate the cultures, history and natural beauty of the nation’s largest estuary. During the week, there are a wide variety of online and in-person events, volunteer opportunities and social media conversations for everyone to take part in to celebrate the Chesapeake Bay.

History and Purpose

In 2016, the Chesapeake Bay Commission worked with their legislative partners to formally designate nine days each June as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week. This timing was chosen to correspond with two long-running Bay events—Clean the Bay Day in Virginia and the Patuxent River Wade-In in Maryland. Each year, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia pass official proclamations in honor of Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week.

Several local county and city governments have followed suit over the years, marking their own observance of the Bay. Organizations and business are encouraged to hold events, activities and volunteer opportunities during this time to celebrate the uniqueness of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program is honored to help coordinate and play a role in this annual event.

During Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week, organizations host recreational, educational and volunteer events across the entire watershed.

Click here for more information.