The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Join us for Pacers' 4th Annual Earth Day 5K on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 8 a.m., in Silver Spring, Maryland to benefit The Nature Conservancy’s work in the Chesapeake Bay and around the world.

Last year's Earth Day 5K was a hit. Around 1,000 runners registered for the race and supported our efforts to seed the Chesapeake Bay with millions of baby oysters (called “spat”). Working with the Oyster Recovery Partnership we will plant even more baby oysters in 2012.

"The Eastern oyster is a key piece of what makes our Chesapeake Bay so special," said Mark Bryer, director of the Chesapeake Bay Program for The Nature Conservancy. "To succeed in restoring the Bay we will need an emphasis on restoring and protecting key habitats as well as improving water quality. Runners on April 29 will help us make great strides―and we have a long way to go before we cross the finish line of restoring the Bay."

The Nature Conservancy is working to restore oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. The organization is protecting forests and wetlands that help clean water before it enters the Chesapeake Bay, actively seeding oysters in restoration areas, and supporting the work of state and federal agencies with practical solutions. 


Chesapeake oysters were once the foundation of Maryland’s seafood industry. Yet decades of poor water quality, introduced foreign diseases, and over-harvesting led to a precipitous decline in Chesapeake Bay oysters — today, populations stand at 1% of their historic numbers. However, there is hope. A recent article in The Washington Post reports that oyster populations are on the rise.

Thank you to those who have already registered for the 2012 Earth Day 5K. We also thank Pacers Events LLC for organizing the race and to the Oyster Recovery Partnership for helping us plant the baby oysters.

Three Ways to Get Involved!

1. RUN: The Nature Conservancy is the official environmental charity partner for the Pacers Events Race Series, which includes this event. Run in the Earth Day 5K, and encourage your friends to join you!
2. MAKE A DONATION: If you can’t join us on April 29th, you can still support the Nature Conservancy's Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration projects by making an online donation.
3. RUN: If you cannot make this race, look into the Marine Corps Marathon, which will be held October 28, 2012. Find more details here.