About Us
Chesapeake Appreciation, Inc., was incorporated in 1972 as a 501(c)(3). The organization came about as a result of the Windjammers of the Chesapeake, Inc. Founded in 1962 by a local group of dedicated sailors, the Windjammers operated a sailing yacht association for recreational, educational and social purposes. As a result, many organizations evolved from this organization, including Chesapeake Appreciation.
Chesapeake Appreciation was formed to celebrate the Chesapeake Bay. Every year, the organization would hold an annual event in fall that featured Skipjack races atSandy Point State Park. Unfortunately, times have changed. With the dwindling supply of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay, few can afford to maintain the boats, much less earn a living. Today, there are only a handful of skipjacks that dredge oysters under sail.
Then 15 years ago, the Chesapeake Appreciation took on a new mission of oyster recovery efforts through the Oyster Recovery Partnership which was founded to accomplish the goals incorporated in the 1993 Maryland Oyster Roundtable Action Plan.