Join us at the Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Area and Dundee Creek Marina for a day of learning about Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) and to become trained volunteer monitors with Chesapeake Bay SAV Watchers.
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation provides food, shelter, and oxygen to a wide variety of Chesapeake Bay species such as migratory waterfowl, blue crabs, and finfish. Human activity, such as boating through SAV beds, sedimentation, and decreased water clarity from runoff have caused SAV populations to dwindle in recent years. Chesapeake Bay SAV Watchers uses aerial photography to document SAV presence, but relies on volunteer community scientists to go out on the water to investigate the quality and quantity of SAV to inform restoration efforts.
Whether you’re looking for an excuse to go out on the water, for something new to do on your excursions, or you’re interested in preserving our natural resources for future generations to enjoy, grab a free ticket and come out to the Hammerman Area on September 19th, 2026 to learn how you can do your part to help restore the Bay’s grasses and provide habitat for the fishes and shellfishes we love to catch, eat, or share the water with.
Use this link to grab a free ticket to RSVP: https://gunpowderriverkeeper.networkforgood.com/events/104172-sav-training
Who: Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®, Chesapeake Bay SAV Watchers, and YOU
What: Training to monitor and report SAV types in the Tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay
When: September 19th, 2026; 10am-3pm
Where: Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Area (7200 Graces Quarters Rd, Middle River, MD 21220)
Why: to help protect the vital Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, and because it’s fun 😀