Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Save the Bay! We're committed to reducing pollution, improving fisheries, protecting and restoring natural resources, and building an environmental ethic in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

How do you help people in my community?

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation continues to monitor for Pfiesteria piscicidia outbreaks in rivers that have experienced Pfiesteria-related fish kills.  Pfiesteria is a dinoflagellate that, in its toxic state, can kill a healthy fish in three minutes and cause serious physical problems for people, such as open sores, short-term memory loss, disorientation, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and headaches.

Toxic substances and inadequately treated sewage can pose a serious threat to individuals who come into contact with contaminated water or ingest contaminated fish, shellfish, or other aquatic organisms.  Therefore, CBF implemented projects to encourage improved sewage treatment and to reduce the discharge of toxic substances from various sources.  CBF is also working to help legislate animal by-product run-off.

In carrying out these activities, CBF’s goal is to ensure that human health and welfare are protected and that valuable natural resources are maintained for the benefit of the public.  Economists tell us that the Bay’s value to the surrounding region is in excess of 678 billion dollars.

Why do you need my support?

This is a critical year in our efforts to Save the Bay.  We have set an Action Plan that is big and bold.  The Action Plan will focus on three vital categories - pollution, habitat and fisheries. 

Our goals are to reduce by 50 percent the amount of toxics used near the Bay and its watershed from all sources, to see a 10 percent increase in wetlands by 2005, increase oyster populations, which are less than 1 percent of what they were in 1870, ten-fold by the year 2005, increase shad populations, remove blockages so returning shad can reach their spawning grounds and improve quality of upstream spawning habitat, to name only a few. 

However, to meet these goals, we need to enlist the support of many more concerned people in our community.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation allocates only fourteen percent of all money to non-program expenses.

CBF is also fortunate to have a great base of volunteers.  Our volunteers are the individuals who help us plant trees, clean up streams, restore wetlands, and perform office work. 

In addition, to help ensure that your money will be used wisely, CBF contracts Deloitte & Touche LLP to perform an audit each year, and a copy of our financial statement is available to the public.

Can I Volunteer? How?

Yes, you can volunteer. Volunteers of CBF are called BaySavers. Our BaySaver program offers CBF members the chance to make a difference through a variety of activities, which fall into the four general categories of:

• outdoor projects,

• advocacy,

• educational outreach and

• office work.

To volunteer, simply call our Grassroots Department at (410) 268-8816 or (301) 261-2517.