chesapeake bay trust

Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Environmental Literacy and Student Service Learning

Maryland is a unique, innovative state: it is home to a part of the country’s largest estuary, the nation’s first umbrella factory, and the Western Hemisphere’s longest continuous escalator (ever been to the Wheaton metro station?). And as a high schooler in Maryland, you can’t graduate unless you complete 75 hours of Student Service Learning (SSL), a state-wide requirement that was the first of its kind.

Becoming a Master Gardener: Part 1

I am currently working towards becoming a Master Gardener in Baltimore City and wanted to share a bit about the program and my experience. The Master Gardener Program is a volunteer program with the purpose of educating the public about safe, effective and sustainable horticultural practices that build healthy gardens, landscapes and communities.

Project Spotlight: Student Action at River Hill

What are most high school juniors doing on a Saturday morning? Sleeping? Going to the mall? Catching up on their favorite shows? Not this group of River Hill High School students. On April 14, 2012, the Chesapeake Bay Trust joined over 30 students from River Hill High School in Howard County, Maryland as they installed a 2,000 square foot rain garden. Check out how this student led action project became a reality.

Arbor Day and the Arbutus Oak

One day, on a drive to the grocery store, a trip I have taken frequently, I noticed something new along the side of I-95: a tree! I was so intrigued by this tree because of it's size, location and the plaque that seemed to be mounted in front of it. I clearly wasn't a new addition to the landscape, I had just never seen it before. I wasn't sure what to make of the tree, so I did a little digging.

UPDATED 4/23: Celebrating Earth Week with Groupon!

This week, April 16-22, is already an exciting time for environmentalists and outdoor lovers alike--it’s Earth Week! This is a time when many students, families and communities come together to make a difference in their neighborhoods, schools and even their own backyards. So what could make this week even better? The Trust has teamed up with Groupon Grassroots to bring you a new initiative to help make a difference for our planet, and it all starts TODAY!

A-B-C-s of the B-A-Y: The Alphabet Soup of Chesapeake Bay Organizations

From advocacy work to on-the ground restoration to outreach and education, there are countless initiatives that are incredibly important to improving the Bay’s overall health. And to do this much-needed work, there are many Chesapeake Bay organizations out there, each leading efforts that are a little but different, but necessary cogs in the complex Chesapeake Bay restoration wheel. But how do you know who does what? Where should you go if you want to volunteer to sign a petition or apply for a grant? The A-B-C-s of the B-A-Y are here to help.

Tucked Away in the Mountains of Maryland

The Evergreen Heritage Center, established in 2008, is a secluded non-profit located in the mountains of Allegany county. Dedicated to environmental education, resotration and conservation, the EHC manages to influence the low income communities and students in their area to become involved in their natural environment. Even their website is created by students! Learn more about what it takes to make the EHC work from Elaine Raisly, the environmental education coordinator.

More than just Flowers Blooming in Spring: Why our Bay and Tributary Waters are Clear now but won’t be by the Summer

It’s springtime, and folks should be starting to think about getting outside and planning all of the wonderful activities they are going to participate in, on, or around our waterways. Folks head down to the dock, look down, and say, “Wow, that water is so clear. I can see the bottom! I wish it stayed that way all year.” So why doesn’t it?

Going Native

When I started volunteering, I knew nothing about native plants and didn’t particularly see the point of gardening with them rather than exotic aliens. I was steeped in the historic gardening culture that sees a garden as an artistic palette and a triumph of human will over messy Nature. Insects were suspect invaders of my creation.

Being a Chesapeake Conservation Corps Host: Phillips Wharf Environmental Center

Phillips Wharf Environmental Center (PWEC) is located on Knapps Narrows on Tilghman’s Island. We are committed to hands-on learning about the Chesapeake, and fostering behavior changes that help preserve and restore the Bay’s ecosystem. We are entirely volunteer run. As dependent as we are on part-time volunteers, we realized that to have a successful program we would need a dedicated volunteer to handle the day-to-day responsibilities, and the Chesapeake Conservation Corps program fit our needs perfectly.

To Tax or not to Tax? That Seems to be the Question of the Year

Whether you follow politics or not it is nearly impossible to avoid hearing the on going debate among our elected officials about how best to solve societies must vexing challenges. Much of this debate is rooted in each individual’s opinion on the role of government in helping solve these problems. Nothing draws these opinions out more than a good old fashioned debate over raising taxes vs. cutting government budgets.

Being a Chesapeake Conservation Corps Host: Anacostia Watershed Society

It goes almost without saying that we wouldn't have been able to accomplish a lot of what these two did, and are doing without the Chesapeake Conservation Corps program. It really makes a 'boots on the ground' type difference for the organizations that host these volunteers. At AWS, we like to talk about 'ripple-effect', or actions we can take that influence multiple positive outcomes. Lori and Jamie are having that ripple effect through their work in spades.

Being a Chesapeake Conservation Corps Host: Rock Creek Conservancy

For the past two years, the Chesapeake Bay Trust has solicited applications from various non-profit groups around Maryland, to be Chesapeake Conservation Corps hosts. The Chesapeake Conservation Corps was started in 2010, with the help of Constellation Energy and the State of Maryland, to provide job experience training for young adults seeking to enter the environmental field. The Rock Creek Conservancy is currently hosting a Conservation Corps member, Braeden Bumpers. See what Rock Creek Conservancy's experience has been since having Braeden on board.

When Average People Accomplish Exceptional Feats

In today’s pessimistic world, it seems like all we ever hear is bad news about the Chesapeake Bay. So how do you keep yourself from rocking in the corner thinking all hope is lost? At the Trust, we focus on the good through our annual Awards Program.

The Heart of Oyster Season

If it is true that the best time to eat oysters are during the months that have an "r" in the name, we are in prime time oyster season right now! Oysters are a locally sourced food that help to support the livelihood of many Chesapeake Bay waterman. Never had one before or can't get over the whole "raw" part? Try our recipe inside and it may just change your mind!