Environmental education and outreach activities improve environmental literacy, build awareness of the benefits of a healthy Bay, and inspire solidarity of purpose and action to restore the Bay watershed. By engaging citizens, students, warfighters, and the extended military community, DoD installations promote active stewardship of natural resources and provide access and recreational activities that strengthen appreciation for a healthy Chesapeake Bay.
Visit the Installation Stewardship and Clean the Bay Day pages to read more about DoD stewardship activities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Earth Day
Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and was a grassroots effort to increase awareness of environmental issues. Installations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have typically celebrated Earth Day annually with community and/or educational outreachโ events that are open to the public and/or military personnel. Such events include:
- Presentations about Chesapeake Bay and pollution prevention (Defense Supply Center Richmond)
- Public shredding and recycling events (Joint Base Myer Henderson-Hall)
- Educational fairs highlighting Earth Day and Energy Awareness (NSA Hampton Roads, NSA Washington โ Washington Navy Yard)
- Tree sapling giveaway (NSA Washington โ NSF Carderock)
- ANC and NPS Earth Day clean-up (Arlington National Cemetery
Arbor Day
Arbor Day in the United States first originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton on April 10, 1872. Installations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have celebrated this day every year with many tree plantings, educational fairs, and local celebrations.
- Arbor Day celebrations (JEB Little Creek-Fort Story)
Clean the Bay Day
Thirty years strong, Clean the Bay Day is an annual cleanup event that takes place across Virginia. DoD installations in Virginia have participated every year, collecting and disposing of tons of trash from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. See the Clean the Bay Day page for updates.
Clean the Base Day
Installations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the country have annual Clean the Base days, typically in conjunction with Earth Day, Arbor Day, or other environmentally focused holidays. DoD volunteers collect trash throughout their bases and in the process, learn to be better stewards of the environment.
- Spring Post-wide cleanup (Fort George G. Meade)
- Clean the Station Day (Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall)
- Clean the Base Day (NAS Oceana)
Pollution Prevention (P2) Week
The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for implementing the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, which resulted in the creation of P2 week (usually in September). During this week, DoD installations educate their service members and staff with various outreach materials, events, and activities.
National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday of September. It promotes the conservation and enjoyment of public lands. DoD installations participate with outreach events.
Other Educational and Volunteer Events
Installations have also participated in numerous environmental educational and outreach events apart from the holidays listed above. They include:
- Educational (STEM) demonstrations at Camp Happy and Discovery Fest (Aberdeen Proving Ground)
- Rain Garden, Columbarium, and Arboretum tours (Arlington National Cemetery)
- Virginia Teach Research Station 3rd Grade Agriculture Days (Army Reserve National Guard Virginia)
- Community town hall meetings and Chesapeake Bay partnerships (Fort Detrick)
- Annual bird tours (Fort Indiantown Gap)
- America Recycles Day event (JBLE-Langley)
- World Water Day celebrations (multiple installations)
- STEM event at NAS Oceana Air Show (NAS Oceana)
- Hunter safety education (NAS Patuxent River)
- Youth fishing derby (NSA South Potomac โ Indian Head)
- ARNG DC โ Anacostia Watershed Society-Kingman Island clean-up
- Odenton Library, Quiet Waters Park, Fort Meade tributary clean-up (Fort George G. Meade)
- Potomac River Watershed Clean-up (NSA South Potomac โ Indian Head)
If your installation is participating in events not listed above, please let the DoD Chesapeake Bay Program office know.