The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Maryland protects 6,000 acres of natural lands and waters in Maryland. The protected Reserve sites serve as living laboratories for research and living classrooms for education and coastal training. The Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Maryland's mission is to “improve coastal resource management by increasing scientific understanding of estuarine systems and making estuarine research relevant, meaningful, and accessible to managers and stakeholders.” We accomplish this through Research, Education, Coastal Training, and Stewardship Programs.

• Education Program motivates students, teachers, and the general ​ public to protect and restore the Bay.
• Stewardship Program works to protect, manage, and restore the Reserve components.
• Coastal Training Program provides decision-makers with the know-how and tools they need to make wise decisions based on sound science.
• Research Program addresses key Chesapeake Bay issues, such as climate change and urban/ suburban development impacts on our Bay.