Chesapeake Bay Non-Tidal Wetlands Communication Strategy

Abstract

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed plans 64,000 square miles across six states (New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia), as well as the District of Columbia. As the largest estuary in the United States, the watershed is home to a range of different ecosystems, from forests to both freshwater and saltwater wetlands. The Chesapeake Bay Program was founded to address the pollution and degradation of these ecosystems and focuses on restoring and enhancing vital habitats, like wetlands. The Wetlands Workgroup aims to restore and enhance both the tidal and non-tidal wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay region through goals, such as improving mapping, addressing barriers to restoration, and expanding local stakeholder involvement. Despite 86% of wetlands in the region being non-tidal wetlands, as compared to tidal, non-tidal wetlands are under-discussed and under-prioritized when it comes to restoration and enhancement projects in the region. This research is focused on understanding current perceptions of non-tidal wetlands, identifying barriers to communication and participation in restoration projects, and developing a targeted strategy to better engage local stakeholders. There are two main phases of this research project: a comprehensive literature review and semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders. The literature review investigated three key elements to non-tidal restoration and preservation including policy, communications and ecosystem science. The semi-structured interviews focused on engaging stakeholders for the region primarily in D.C, Maryland, and Virginia. These stakeholders consisted of representatives from federal, state, and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations and the private sector. Based on the findings from these interviews, eight key themes were identified which explored topics related to the three contexts used in our literature review: current state of the Bay, legislative and regulatory background, barriers and challenges, current public perceptions, communication channels, engagement strategies, messaging content, and ideal future. Recommendations are focused on improving communication around non-tidal wetlands, increasing community engagement, using funding opportunities efficiently, and encouraging policy alignment to ecological and community needs. Achieving an ideal vision for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed requires a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach to increasing communication, policy-making, and ecosystem restoration. By harnessing community identity around the Bay and emphasizing the link between community well-being and healthy wetlands, the Chesapeake Bay Program can foster a collaborative path forward for the watershed.