ANNAPOLIS, Md., June 10, 2025 — The Chesapeake Bay’s health declined in 2024, earning a C grade (50%) in the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) 2025 Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card, released today. The watershed, encompassing ecological, social, and economic indicators, scored a C+ (57%). Extreme weather, including droughts and intense storms, drove pollution runoff, contributing to the downturn. Despite this, long-term trends show steady improvement since the 1980s, fueled by decades of restoration efforts.
The UMCES report card, now in its 19th year, is the most comprehensive annual assessment of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. It serves as a critical tool for policymakers, conservationists, and industries reliant on the Bay’s resources. The 2024 decline, a five-point drop from the previous year, was influenced by extreme weather patterns intensified by climate change. Drought-hardened soil, followed by heavy rainfall, led to runoff that carried pollutants into streams, rivers, and the Bay. “There was a substantial upturn in the overall Bay Health score in 2024, and it came down a little this year. Over the long term, though, there is still an improving trend from the 1980s until now,” said Dr. Heath Kelsey, Director of UMCES Integration and Application Network. “We think extreme weather may have had some impact on the scores this year.”
The report’s release coincides with significant challenges. The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts target federal agencies integral to Bay restoration, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Geological Survey. These agencies support the Chesapeake Bay Program, a federal-state partnership established in the 1980s to guide cleanup efforts. “The Chesapeake Bay is a cornerstone of Maryland’s environment and economy. That’s why it’s so important that we work overtime to protect and restore it,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, who secured a commitment to continue funding the Chesapeake Bay Program.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) highlighted the broader implications. “The health of the Chesapeake Bay isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a quality-of-life issue for nearly 19 million people. This report card reflects the progress we’ve made, and the serious challenges that remain. This is the moment to push forward—not pull back,” said CBF President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk. She warned of the risks posed by federal rollbacks. “The extreme weather of 2024 is not an anomaly—it’s a warning. Climate change is accelerating, and with it comes more flooding, pollution, and ecological stress,” Falk said. “The Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts threaten the world-class science and partnership at the heart of the effort.”
Despite the 2024 decline, long-term progress is evident. Six Bay regions—Elizabeth, James, Patapsco and Back Rivers, Upper Western Shore, Upper Bay, and Lower Bay—show upward trends. Key indicators, including dissolved oxygen, aquatic grasses, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen, have improved due to regional, state, and local efforts. Upgraded wastewater treatment plants, seagrass restoration, oyster plantings, and community-led resource management have driven gains. “The Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card has become a flagship reference for conservation practitioners working to improve the environmental quality of the Chesapeake Bay, policymakers charged with the regional economic development driven by the bay’s resources, and a wide range of industries dependent upon a healthy bay,” said Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, President of UMCES.
The watershed’s C+ score reflects mixed outcomes. Ecology indicators performed well, but societal factors, such as heat vulnerability, raised concerns. Hotter air temperatures, reduced tree canopy, and increased paved surfaces have heightened heat stress in communities. Economic indicators showed job growth but revealed persistent income inequality. “The ecological health, economic value and human enjoyment of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed tributaries throughout Maryland is heavily determined by how we utilize land to reduce, filter, and ultimately eliminate harmful pollutants,” said Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca Flora, AICP. Maryland’s new Sustainable Growth Policy and Planning Principles aim to optimize working landscapes and fisheries while protecting sensitive ecological systems.
The report card’s release aligns with a pivotal moment. In 2025, regional leaders are updating the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, a framework for federal-state collaboration since the 1980s. The agreement sets restoration goals, and this year’s report provides essential data to guide the next phase. UMCES and CBF are deepening their partnership to enhance data collection and collaboration. “In furthering our engagement efforts, UMCES cohosted a workshop on April 1 with Chesapeake Bay Foundation, to bring together bay practitioners and knowledge holders,” said Dr. Bill Dennison, Vice President for Science Application at UMCES. “This will allow for more collaboration and a more effective report card in the future.”
Policymakers emphasized the urgency of continued investment. “The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s 19th Annual Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card has made it abundantly clear: we must act now to protect our precious Chesapeake Bay,” said Senator Angela Alsobrooks. Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, underscored UMCES’s century-long legacy. “For 100 years, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) has exemplified leadership in science and environmental stewardship by spearheading the crucial research that informs the work of Bay restoration,” she said. “I’m committed to fighting for vital research funding, crafting policy to enhance conservation efforts, and combating invasive species in the Bay, all of which is informed by the solid science that comes out of this report.”
The EPA highlighted the Bay’s economic significance. “The EPA is dedicated to fostering collaboration among federal, state, and local partners to continue the lasting progress made on the health and economic revival of the Chesapeake Bay, which contributes close to $3 billion to local economies every year,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey. Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain echoed this sentiment. “The Chesapeake Bay is more than a body of water; it’s an engine for our economy, a cornerstone of our culture, and a reflection of our environmental progress,” she said. “We’re using science, investment, and community engagement to drive real change, and we won’t stop until every community shares in the Bay’s restoration and resilience.”
Science remains central to restoration efforts. The Comprehensive Evaluation of Systems Response (CESR) research, cited in the report, identifies targeted strategies to maximize cleanup efficiency. “Science has always been the backbone of Chesapeake Bay restoration. The latest report card highlights not only improvements, but also where the Bay is struggling,” Falk said. “There is tremendous value in our academic and scientific communities, which is why CBF is proud to be deepening our partnership with UMCES. We must support our scientists.”
The report card, developed with local stakeholders, integrates data from diverse sources to assess the Bay’s health. As UMCES celebrates its centennial, it released a 1925 retrospective report card to reflect on a century of scientific progress. This historical perspective underscores the need for sustained investment to address modern challenges like climate change and pollution. The Bay’s $3 billion annual economic contribution supports industries such as fishing, tourism, and recreation, making its health critical to regional prosperity.
Community engagement is a cornerstone of restoration. Local initiatives, such as watershed planning and resource management, complement state and federal efforts. Programs to reduce nutrient and sediment inputs have yielded measurable results, particularly in improving water quality. However, challenges like heat vulnerability and income inequality highlight the need for equitable solutions that benefit all communities in the watershed.
The 2025 report card serves as both a progress report and a call to action. While long-term trends are positive, the 2024 decline underscores the fragility of gains in the face of climate change and policy shifts. Continued collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and communities is essential to meet restoration goals and ensure the Bay’s resilience for future generations.