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Ecocheck is a unique partnership that utilizes the exceptional talents and expertise of NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and UMCES’ Integration and Application Network, with a focus on ecosystem health reporting. Located at NOAA’s Cooperative Oxford Laboratory, in Oxford, Maryland, EcoCheck’s primary mission is to enhance and support the science, management, and restoration of Chesapeake Bay.

EcoCheck accomplishes its mission by focusing on integration of geographically detailed assessments and forecasts of Chesapeake Bay ecosystem health and creating timely and scientifically rigorous communication products through data and research synthesis. EcoCheck works with NOAA partners, academic, federal and state regulators, and local community groups to develop tools and products to assist decision makers in achieving Chesapeake Bay restoration goals. Recently, EcoCheck’s expertise in report cards and ecological health assessments has been leveraged to develop similar assessments nationally and globally.

Key accomplishments of the EcoCheck partnership include:

• Establishment of an annual, comprehensive and geographically detailed Chesapeake Bay Report Card. Environmental report cards are transformative assessment and communications products that compare environmental data to scientific or management thresholds and are delivered to a wide audience on a regular basis.


• Integrated assessments are rigorous and comprehensive scientific analyses that evaluate status and trends of natural resources to provide recommendations on monitoring, research and management priorities.


• Establishment of the Mid-Atlantic Tributary Assessment Coalition (MTAC). The Mid-Atlantic Tributary Assessment Coalition is a unique and growing group of watershed organizations interested in advancing the use of environmental data from local organizations and citizen scientists for use in report cards and assessments.