Mervin Richard and Judith Brodie

Growing up in Queen Anne's County on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the rivers, streams, and creeks that flow through the Chesapeake Bay were a constant presence. Everywhere one turns there is water; it is impossible to venture very far without encountering it. I learned to swim at Betterton Beach, the site of regular family outings, and have fond memories of trips to Tolchester Beach and its amusement park, a popular destination in its day. The truth is that I spent much of my childhood and adolescent years either in, on, or near the Bay and its tributaries - swimming, fishing, sailing, boating and crabbing. As an adult, I took up scuba diving, became an instructor, and remain eager to explore aquatic environments. All of these pursuits instilled in me a love of water that has never diminished.

The Chesapeake Bay has the distinction of being the largest estuary in the country, running north-south from the mouth of the Susquehanna River to the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps more significantly, it is one of the most productive estuaries in the world, with a combined population of over 3,600 species of animals and plants. Each year the Bay produces an impressive harvest, such that seafood is synonymous with the Eastern Shore. I grew up in a family in which seafood was a regular staple. One of my grandfathers loved oysters so much that he had them delivered to his house regularly from October to March. An uncle, by marriage, was a professional waterman whose family has fished the Bay for generations. Rockfish (a.k.a. striped bass or stripers), croakers, bluefish, perch, crabs, oysters, and even the occasional eel were on the menu at many a family gathering.

Not long after the establishment of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) in 1966, I learned that beneath the Bay's shimmering surface lies a sobering truth. The health of the Bay is at serious risk. Water quality has declined for decades due to air pollution, urban development, runoff from industrial facilities, agricultural activities, and inadequate sewage systems. The loss of vital wetlands and forests has reduced runoff filtration and essential habitats for wildlife. Water temperature levels are rising as a direct result of climate change.

The Bay needs our ongoing stewardship in protecting its delicate balance, restoring its wetlands, and safeguarding its myriad inhabitants. My lovely wife Judith grew up just a mere five-minute walk from the Atlantic Ocean in Beverly, Massachusetts. She shares my concerns for the preservation of our natural resources and strongly backs our decision to become legacy donors to the CBF. We hope that our contribution will support future efforts to improve the Bay and encourage others to follow in our footsteps.