Caring for the Bay

The marshes, the waters, and the surrounding land form an interwoven whole in which what affects one part affects all. How the land is used and cared for impacts water quality, and the water that drains into this bay affects what lives and grows there. The bay and its marshes serve as a nursery and nutrient source for the ocean, whose health is closely linked to these sheltered waters. Some 175 square miles of land drains into the bays bordering Assateague Island, including farms, golf courses, homes, and housing developments that all affect bay water quality. Assateague Island is officially protected, but most surrounding waters and the bordering watershed are not, making stewardship of the land a shared responsibility, while park staff actively monitor the bay's water quality.

Maryland · United States