Registration is now open for a clean water stewardship course offered online by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) for residents of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The annual course provides in-depth online sessions on environmental issues, preparing participants to advocate for clean water in local waterways.

VoiCeS (Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards) classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., from October 6 through November 17, except for Nov. 3. The sessions feature speakers from CBF and other regional organizations.

Course topics include:

  • Causes and solutions for pollution to your local waters and the Chesapeake Bay;
  • Local geography and ecology;
  • Environmental justice;
  • Local river and Chesapeake Bay science and fisheries;
  • Urban and rural pollution issues, and;
  • How you can play an important role in restoring your local rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

The course will include one to two hours of pre-recorded videos to watch at any point in the week. The weekly live online classes will provide an overview of key topics and Q&A with expert speakers. A field trip will be held for each region at a later date when we can safely gather.

Following the course, participants are encouraged to perform a minimum 20 hours of clean water volunteer service. Successful graduates receive CBF’s designation as a “Chesapeake Steward.” Space is limited, registration is available on a first come first served basis online using the links below:

Virginia

Maryland

Pennsylvania

A $25 fee per household will cover the costs of materials. Given the financial challenges many people are facing this year, a limited number of spaces are available for those who cannot pay the registration fee at this time. For more information, contact Gabby Troutman at gtroutman@cbf.org