EJJI Board Member Participates in Harbor Splash

Laura Quigley • June 25, 2024

EJJI Board Member Participates in Harbor Splash

By Laura Quigley

This past weekend, EJJI board member Eric Schott joined a group of more than 150 people in jumping into Baltimore's Inner Harbor for the inaugural Harbor Splash. Coordinated by Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Harbor Splash is part of a larger initiative to make the city's waters swimmable - and to improve public opinion toward the health of Baltimore's waterways.

As Associate Research Professor for the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (UMCES at IMET), Schott is passionate about improving the health of Baltimore's waters for both aquatic creatures and people.

This jump isn't the first time Schott has leaped into the Inner Harbor to make a case for improved water quality. In September 2023, he joined fellow researchers and clean water advocates in the waters near Fells Point to demonstrate their safety. [Read Schott's guest commentary about the 2023 jump here.]

About the Harbor Splash event, Schott says:

"Being able to safely swim in Baltimore Harbor this week is the product of years of effective work by environmental groups, enforcement of clean water laws, dedicated and prolonged repairs by the City of Baltimore, and over a decade of cooperation led by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore [WPB]. The WPB set a goal back in 2010, and consistently convened meetings of all the stakeholders until the goal was met.

We need to make sure the 2024 splash is just the start. Neighbors of Baltimore’s other waterfront, along the Middle Branch, deserve swimmable water as well, and now there is no reason to think it’s not achievable soon. The Reimagine Middle Branch project can provide the framework for public engagement, coordination, and follow-through that is needed. EJJI is poised to use its connections with both community and environmental studies to support the goal of a swimmable Middle Branch."

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More than 150 people participated in the inaugural Harbor Splash event. Here, participants wait their turn to jump in the Inner Harbor | Photo: EJJI

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EJJI's executive director, Donzell Brown (front), gives Eric Schott (back) encouragement before Schott jumps in the water. | Photo: EJJI

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Reel Rewards Returns for 2026 Season with New Bounty Tiers

By Laura Quigley • March 24, 2026

Baltimore, MD – The Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative (EJJI) is excited to announce the return of Reel Rewards , a community-powered program that promotes sustainable fishing practices and helps control invasive species in the Baltimore Harbor. The 2026 season will run from April 25 to July 18, 2026 , and brings with it updated bounty tiers and continued opportunities for community engagement and environmental impact. This season, Reel Rewards features bounty tiers that support local anglers while providing gut content data that can be used by scientists and environmental managers. Participants are encouraged to catch invasive species like Northern Snakehead, Blue Catfish, and Flathead Catfish within the program boundaries, and bring the fish to designated drop-off locations on specific days. In return, fishers receive $10 for each fish head turned in, $10 for logging a picture of what’s inside the fish’s stomach, and $10 for each cleaned fish filet per fish to be re-used as bait. Reel Rewards is hosted by EJJI, funded by South Baltimore Gateway Partnership and the Maryland Whole Watershed Program , and in partnership with Reimagine Middle Branch and the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland . This unique collaboration brings together community voices, environmental researchers, and conservation advocates to tackle real ecological issues while uplifting Baltimore’s fishing communities. Registration is now open at: https://www.ianglertournament.com/ejji-reel-rewards-2026 For updates, official drop-off days and locations, and more details about participating, visit: https://www.ejji.org/reel-rewards . If you are with a community group or organization who would like to plan a joint event or educational engagement, contact EJJI at: veronica@ejji.org About EJJI The Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative (EJJI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental justice and community empowerment. Through storytelling, collaborative outreach, and hands-on programming, EJJI connects Baltimore communities with the researchers, policymakers, and advocates working on environmental justice issues in their neighborhoods. Contact: Veronica Malabanan Lucchese Environmental Science Program Manager, EJJI veronica@ejji.org ###