Latinx Baltimore Boat Tour

Donzell Brown • September 26, 2024
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    Chesapeake Bay Foundation's "Snow Goose" navigated a 90-minute loop around the Fort McHenry peninsula.

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    The boat tour provided Latinx Baltimoreans a chance to come together in community on the water.

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    A brief dredging showed fish and aquatic life before they were returned to the water.

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Latinx Baltimore Boat Tour

By Donzell Brown


On the evening of September 19th, in collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), seventeen community members boarded the "Snow Goose" for a memorable evening of education, fun, and connections. In celebration of Latino Conservation Week, we invited organizations like CBF and Latino Outdoors to connect with the South Baltimore community.


The Lakeland community was well-represented by the Lakeland Community Association Partnership president and other passionate members. The "Snow Goose" provided a scenic cruise on a beautiful day, and participants shared their personal stories and experiences along the waters of Baltimore City as we sailed around the Fort McHenry peninsula.


The highlight of the evening was a unique opportunity provided by CBF. We briefly dredged the waters of the Patapsco River, bringing up a sample of local marine life. The group was also thrilled to observe the diverse wildlife—from fish to birds—up close.


As we returned to the dock, the conversation turned to the future. We discussed what’s possible and beautiful in our local environment, as well as what needs to be improved, restored, and protected. The evening left us inspired and excited about the future of our community and its natural surroundings.

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 ###
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