chesapeake bay trust

Community-led stewardship efforts increase public understanding of water pollution challenges, build ownership of the local watersheds, engage more individuals and organizations into stewardship practices and projects, and expand the base of citizen support and community involvement necessary to advance broader Bay restoration and protection goals. Through its community outreach and engagement programs, the Trust seeks to build the base of community awareness and engagement necessary to restore local watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay.

In 2009, through our community engagement and outreach efforts, the Trust supported engaged 258,510 people through the Bay Plate program and 32,747 volunteers through our grant programs.  The Trust supports community engagement efforts in a variety of ways, including: 

Grants
We award engagement grants through our Mini Grant Program and Outreach and Community Engagement Grant Program. 

Partnerships
We work with partners invested in building environmental stewards throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 

Awards
We recognize excellence in environmental stewardship through our Awards Programs.