Your New Year’s resolutions can help protect the Bay—you just don’t know it yet

When you set your New Year’s resolution this year, chances are you didn’t put “Help the Chesapeake Bay” on the list. That’s perfectly normal. According to Pew Research, the most common New Year’s resolutions focus on finances, relationships, hobbies, health or career. 

But what if we told you that you could accomplish resolutions in these categories while also supporting your local rivers and streams?

Below are a few ways you can alter your personal goals to benefit the Bay as well. 

Relationships with friends or family

Is there someone in your life you want to reconnect with or spend more quality time with? Consider volunteering together! Your neighborhood park or local nonprofit likely has volunteer events like stream picks up, tree plantings or invasive plant removals. If you have access to a boat or kayak then you can help monitor underwater grasses to determine how much habitat is available to blue crabs and fish. Volunteering is a great way to try something new and make unique memories with the people you care about. 

Hobbies

If you’re looking for a new hobby in 2026, why not choose one that helps the Bay? Gardening, especially with native plants, is a great way to support local bird and butterfly populations while keeping the soil in your yard healthy. Healthy soil soaks up more stormwater runoff, which means less nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution flowing to the Bay. Thrifting or sewing is another great way to reduce your consumption the lower the pressure that fast fashion puts on the environment. Even just reading more about the Bay will ultimately make you a better steward of the region. 

Health

Improving your health and wellness is one of the best ways to make a positive difference in your life. It’s a good thing that simply spending more time outside can boost your emotional and physical health. The Chesapeake Bay region is filled with boat ramps, kayak launches, fishing piers and other public access sites that you can visit to get out on the water. Hiking is another great way to see more of the rivers and streams in the watershed or its forests. 

Money and finance

Some of the most popular ways to save money also have a big impact on the Bay. Lowering your energy use by unplugging appliances or adjusting your thermostat not only reduces your gas and electric bill but ultimately results in less air pollution coming from gas-burning power plants. By taking shorter showers, installing a low-flow showerhead or fixing leaky faucets, you can save money on your water bill and preserve the amount of water you are using from local sources. Consider purchasing reusable products, having a clothing swap with friends or recycling electronics, rather than purchasing new items. You will not only save money but reduce the amount of plastic pollution impacting local waterways. Experts have found that 8.3 million tons of plastic waste comes from the apparel sector alone.    

Work and career 

Helping the Chesapeake Bay can also be a smart investment in your career. Joining the board of a local nonprofit that works on watershed issues is a great way to expand your professional network, meet potential clients and align your personal and business interests. To strengthen relationships with your coworkers or employees, consider organizing a company-wide volunteer event like tree planting or stream pickups, or setting company goals to green your workplace. Nonprofits like the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay work closely with business to make them more environmentally sustainable. 

Are there any other ways you plan on helping the Bay in the near year? Let us know in the comments or visit our Help Protect the Bay webpage for more ideas.