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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.

Give through the CFC Now
Why should I support your work?

CBF’s goal is to save the Bay and keep it saved. We are the only nonprofit organization to approach Bay restoration from a watershed-wide perspective.

Our vision is that the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers, broadly recognized as a national treasure, will be highly productive and in good health as measured by established water quality standards. The result will be clear water, free of impacts from toxic contaminants, and with healthy oxygen levels.

In fact, CBF’s work often sets a national precedent that will help protect America’s waters and ensure safe drinking water, pristine waterways and thriving ecosystems locally and nationwide.
Gifts in any amount can and do make a difference. For example:

• $25 plants five native trees as a streamside buffer
• $50 grows 5,000 native oysters
• $100 sends a student on a field experience
• $500 builds 10 reef balls used in oyster restoration

Why does your charity exist?

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) fights for bold and creative solutions to the pollution that plagues the Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. Across the six-state watershed, CBF sets the agenda, serves as a watchdog, and speaks out on behalf of the Bay and our environment to business, government, and the public.

What specifically do you do?

Through hands-on projects, we restore the Bay’s essential habitats and filtering mechanisms, including forests, wetlands, underwater grasses, and oysters. We fight for strong and effective laws and regulations and work cooperatively with government, businesses, and citizens in partnerships to protect the Bay. When necessary, we use legal means to force compliance with existing laws. And CBF’s environmental education program introduces students of all ages to the wonders of the watershed and works to heighten sensitivity, increase knowledge, and empower citizens to take action.

How will this make a difference?

We make a difference on three fronts: 1) our on-the-ground restoration work directly reduces pollution in our waterways; 2) our advocacy work leverages the collective voice of CBF members to enact Bay-friendly legislation and secure funding for pollution reduction efforts; and 3) our renowned education program teaches today’s youth (tomorrow’s leaders!) about the environment and why it is important to restore and protect.

How is your work different from that of other, similar charities?

CBF is the only charity that focuses on restoration, advocacy, and education across the entire watershed.

What have you accomplished?

In the last year CBF

  • Planted hundreds of thousands of trees and shrubs that filter pollution naturally before it reaches our waterways.
  • Placed millions of water-filtering oysters into sanctuary reefs in the Bay to help make Bay waters cleaner and healthier as well as protect shorelines against storm surge.
  • Advocated for strong laws and both public and private investments to reduce pollution.
  • And much more…
How can I be sure you’ll use my money wisely?

CBF is a Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Charity (www.give.org). Also, CBF contracts with Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman CPAs to perform an annual financial audit. Copies of our financial statement are available to the public.

Eighty cents of every dollar contributed go directly to programs.

We’re fortunate to enjoy the support of a dedicated volunteer base who provide office support, plant trees and underwater grasses, participate in stream clean ups, restore wetlands, grow oysters, and help CBF advocate for Bay-friendly legislation and regulations.