Site Icon

DoD Chesapeake Bay Program

Clean The Bay Day

Installations Lead the DoDโ€™s Charge for Chesapeake Bay Clean-up: 1n 2022, 1,016 DoD volunteers at 27 military installations cleaned nearly 22,500 pounds of litter.

Thank you to all 2022 Clean the Bay Day participants. This website will be updated when information regarding 2023 Clean the Bay Day is available!

You can continue to save the Bay throughout the year by becoming a better Bay steward at home and work.

  • Use natural cleaners–use natural, non-toxic, phosphate-free cleaners for most cleaning tasks. You’ll be reducing toxic chemicals in wastewater while saving money.
  • Reduce fertilizer use–always get a soil test first to be sure what your lawn requires; use fertilizer sparingly, and only when necessary. Excessive fertilizers contribute to nitrogen and phosphorous overload in rivers and the Bay, which can lead to low oxygen levels and dead zones.
  • Only rain in storm drains–allow only rain to go down the storm drain and use a broom nota hose or power blower, to clean debris from decks, patios and driveways. You’ll save water, reduce emissions, and curb stormwater runoff.
  • Practice Bay friendly car care–take your vehicle to a commercial car wash or wash your car on an unpaved surface with phosphate-free soap so water soaks into the ground, not into the storm drain.
  • Reduce rainwater runoff–direct rainwater away from paved surfaces; direct gutter downspouts onto lawn or flower beds, or into a rain barrel.

To learn more, please visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Chesapeake Bay Program websites.