The Chesapeake Bay Trust held a Legislative Reception on Thursday, January 14 to announce the six winners for the annual awards. Legislators, board members, winners, their family members, and staff gathered to honor six exceptional teachers, students, and individuals for their outstanding contributions to environmental education, Bay restoration and volunteerism. Read the full press release here and also read detailed descriptions on the winners.
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Chesapeake Bay Trust Opportunities
Prince George's Rain Check Rebate Program – Rolling Deadline:
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is proud to partner with Prince George’s County on its Rain Check Rebate Program, offering incentives to homeowners, businesses, and others to install practices that will improve stormwater runoff quality, reduce runoff quantity, and improve local streams and rivers.
Nontidal Wetlands - Deadline March 23, 2017This program seeks to implement cost-effective wetland projects to provide valuable wetland functions, including habitat for a wide range of species and improved water quality, flood attenuation, recharge of groundwater, and aesthetics in the State’s local watersheds and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay, Youghiogheny River, and Atlantic Coastal Bays.
Charles County Community Watershed Assistance - Deadline March 13, 2017
The Charles County Community Watershed Assistance Grant Program aims to provide accessible funds to organizations and agencies to build capacity within local groups to plan, develop, and design a variety of projects including but not limited to outreach and education programs, small community-scale watershed assessments and action plans, and stormwater best management practices (BMPs).Green Streets Grant Program - Deadline March 17, 2017
The goal of the Chesapeake Bay G3 Grant Program is to help communities develop and implement plans that reduce stormwater runoff, increase the number and amount of green spaces in urban areas, improve the health of local streams and the Chesapeake Bay, and enhance quality of life and community livability.
K-12 Environmental Education Mini Grant - January 13, 2016
This program supports meaningful outdoor learning experiences around a watershed issue investigation including field trips, fieldwork, student-led action projects and schoolyard habitat projects as well as building teacher capacity to implement environmental education including professional development trainings and programs to advance environmental literacy in the Chesapeake Bay region.Prince George's Non-profit Landowner Technical Assistance and Tree Canopy Support - Deadline January 12, 2016: The goal of this program is to improve communities, improve water quality in the County’s waterways, and engage County residents in stormwater issues.
Forestry and Forested Land Protection Grant Program for Anne Arundel County - Deadline January 12, 2016: The goal of this program is to implement cost-effective reforestation and greening projects and increase the number of acres of protected forested land in the County.Charles County Forestry Grant Program – Rolling Deadline:
The goal of this program is to implement cost-effective reforestation projects in the county to increase tree canopy and as a result create forest habitat and improve water quality in the county’s local watersheds and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
Community Engagement Mini Grant Program – Rolling Deadline:
The Mini Grants Program for Community Engagement is designed to engage Maryland residents in activities that enhance communities, engage residents, and improve natural resources.AA Community Tree Planting Mini Grant Program – Rolling Deadline:
The goal of this program is to provide small community-based grants (less than $2,500) to help communities and organizations increase the number of trees and tree canopy in neighborhoods, parks, and communities throughout Anne Arundel County. Neighborhood by neighborhood, community stewardship projects are helping to raise public awareness about the health of our region’s tree canopy, watersheds, air quality, streams, rivers, and the Bay, as well as the steps that can be taken to restore and protect them.Community Engagement Mentorship Program:
In light of the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s commitment to engage new audiences in the environmental community and empower under-engaged organizations, we have created a Mentorship program under the Community Engagement Mini Grant Program to develop working relationships between organizations who are experienced in grant-writing and project management and those that are new to the Trust’s programs. Please see the Mentorship RFP for a full description of the program.
Welcome Chesapeake Conservation Corps Class of 2017! Volunteers: find relevant forms here.
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Chesapeake Bay Trust News and Events
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Chesapeake Bay Trust’s 2016 Annual Award Winners Announced
Chesapeake Bay Trust Seeks Two New Positions
The Trust is looking for two qualified candidates to serve as a Program Officer and also as a Program Administrative Assistant. The Program Officer will serve in the restoration department and is responsible for leading three of the Trust’s watershed restoration grant programs and participating in new related grant programs as they are developed. The Program Administrative Assistant will assist with general administration, program support, and grants administration. Read the full job descriptions and find out how to apply here.
Chesapeake Bay Trust Releases 2015 Annual Report
The Trust just released its 2015 Annual Report which highlights the organization's exceptional achievements during the past year. In total, the Trust awarded more than $9.8 million in grants that engaged over 120,000 students, teachers and volunteers in projects and programs that are making a difference for local communities and the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. In this report, you can read detailed accounts of the Trust's restoration, education and outreach efforts, as well as extensive partnerships. You can download the full report here and find more information.
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5 Things You Can Do to Help the Chesapeake Bay
1. Volunteer for a clean-up: Consider spending a day volunteering for a local watershed organization where you can learn firsthand how important community clean-ups are to Bay restoration. From the South River Federation to the Spa Creek Conservancy to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, there are countless opportunities to get your hands dirty as you do your part to help out. Check out our calendar of events to find a volunteer opportunity near you.
2. Help at tax time: Did you know that you can make a tax-deductible donation to help the Bay when you pay your taxes? By checking Line 35 on your Maryland state income tax form, you can contribute to the Bay Fund to support the Chesapeake and protect Maryland’s endangered species. Learn more by clicking here.
3. Install a rain barrel: Rain barrels are a unique way to capture rain water around our homes. For homeowners who install rain barrels, this water can be used to water lawns and flower beds or wash cars during the dry summer months. On average, rain barrels can save Maryland homeowners 1,300 gallons of water, and therefore electricity as well, simply by reusing this natural resource. Get more information on rain barrels on our website.
4. Plant a tree: Trees are incredibly valuable to our environment and to the Chesapeake Bay. Planting trees not only improve the Bay’s water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion, but also can increase property values by as much as 20 percent. By planting native trees, you will decrease Bay pollutants from stormwater runoff and provide life-saving habitat for wildlife. Find lists of native plants and where you can find them here.
5. Looking to do more? Apply for a grant: The Chesapeake Bay Trust has awarded more than $55 million in grants to promote environmental education, Bay restoration and community engagement work throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Through our 11 grant programs, there are plenty opportunities to make a measurable impact on the Bay’s recovery. Find out what you can do on our grant pages.