Bay Fellows Cohort '16

Chesapeake Bay Fellows Program

Second Cohort Launched

“…to effect the restoration and ultimate conservation of the Chesapeake Bay.”

The second cohort of Norfolk Academy’s Chesapeake Bay Fellows got started the week of August 6-10 by embarking on their own Chesapeake Bay Adventure, an experience of equal parts education, inspiration, and fun. The Fellows (pictured above) departed Monday morning with Program Director Chris Nelson for two days in and on our local waters. The final three days brought the cohort to Tangier Island. Said Mr. Nelson, “It was hot. It was wet, really wet. But the kids never wavered, never complained, never lagged. They were true Bulldogs.”

Our partner in this undertaking is the Chesapeake Bay Foundation who provided expertise, logistics, and guidance for the entire week. Led by CBF’s Outdoor Educator Brooke Newton, scientist Dr. Bill Portlock, and canoe instructor, Ben Eberline, the Fellows spent the first two days of their week-long adventure in Virginia Beach.

Put-in at the Narrows, First Landing State Park

First Landing State Campground was our (wet!) home for the first two nights. Our days took us onto the Lynnhaven River to explore a restoration oyster reef, perform water quality tests, and experience a wetland and maritime forest by getting in it. On day two, CBF’s education vessel, the Bea Hayman Clark, took us out for biotic sampling (trawling) in the Lynnhaven River and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. It was not the last time we would catch our dinner that week.

Days 3-5 found us on the Eastern Shore, and from there via ferry, to Port Isabel on Tangier Island. Experiences included a visit to Cherrystone Aqua-Farms, learning to catch and shed crabs, exploring the history and culture of Tangier Island, seining for life in the shallows, more fishing, and marsh mucking, the ultimate in wetland immersion!

Port Isobel, Tangier Island

One evening the Fellows were invited to speak to a group of public school principals who were also having their own Tangier Island experience. The Fellows articulated our program, outlined our goals, and shared their experiences with such expertise, poise, and conviction so as to inspire these principals to return to their own schools with a renewed enthusiasm to educate their students to save the Bay.

Marsh Mucking - Good Clean Fun!