The Chesapeake Bay starts in the freshwater streams of the watershed: small trickles of water join rushing rivers that eventually bring their billions of gallons of water to the Bay. The health of streams is vital to our communities, our wildlife, and the overall water quality of the larger Bay. Stream health is a major priority of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s restoration strategy and healthy streams inherently boost many outcomes, including brook trout populations, functional wetlands, and toxic contaminant reduction.

On May 19th from 12-1pm, we asked how we restore and maintain healthy streams. Our speakers led us in a discussion about the benefits and challenges associated with riparian buffers and stream restoration.

Speakers:

• John Munsell, Professor and Forest Management Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech
• Tess Thompson, Associate Professor and Turner Fellow of Engineering, Virginia Tech