Since its inception in 1998, over 1,667 classes and 43,946
students have been involved with Bay Grasses in Classes. During this time
students have planted over 3.0 acres of bottom surface in the Bay with the
500,000 plants grown in their classrooms. Aerial surveys taken each year by the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) continue to map healthy grass beds
planted by students in the program.
The Bay Grasses in Classes program is a hands-on, interactive
education project that enables students to play a direct role in Chesapeake Bay
restoration. Teachers are provided with all equipment and instructions required
to grow bay grasses in their classrooms. In addition, an extensive curriculum
has been designed to incorporate bay grass activities into the normal school
day. During the semester, students perform experiments to study bay grass
growth. Experiment data are posted on the Bay Grasses in Classes website. At the
end of the semester, students take part in transplanting their bay grasses in
select areas of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. By studying the ecological
importance of bay grasses and actively participating in restoration, students
also gain a sense of stewardship of the Bay. The Bay Grasses in Classes project
is a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation (http://www.cbf.org).
“This publication was developed under Assistance Agreement No. 52-6002033 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It has not been formally reviewed by
EPA. The views expressed in this documents are solely those of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and EPA does not endorse any
products or commercial services mentioned in this publication.”
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Financial Assistance provided by the Coastal Zone Management Act of
1972, as amend, administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal
Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). A publication pursuant to NOAA Award No. NA070Z0118Maryland Coastal
Zone Management Program, Department of Natural Resources |
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