Great news: registration for the 2025 CUSP cohort is open! 

What is CUSP?

The Chesapeake Urban Stormwater Professionals (CUSP) is a FREE professional training program from the Chesapeake Stormwater Network! The core of the program is a 14-webinar curriculum that is taught in two parts. Part 1 introduces the basic impacts of stormwater runoff and how they can be reduced or mitigated by stormwater and urban watershed restoration practices. Part 2 focuses on the essential functions of municipal (or MS4) stormwater programs, and how to improve local watershed management.

Who should join?

  • Undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in green infrastructure and watershed restoration. The program prepares you for roles in the public or private sector in areas such as development/stormwater plan review, MS4 program management, watershed restoration, and stormwater outreach and education.
  • Early career professionals (or those transitioning careers) in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The program can help those who administer their MS4 permits, handle stormwater plan review or implement local watershed restoration plans, as well as provide contractual support to a municipality/county and want to get more training to do their jobs better.
  • Program staff from environmental advocacy groups, local watershed groups, and stewards/master gardeners that want to learn more about the environmental potential of better local stormwater and restoration programs.

Do I have to attend the training in-person?

Nope, all of the requirements to complete the training are presented virtually, and can be viewed live at prescheduled times, or if you miss a webinar, you can go back and view the recording. We will be holding 2 (optional) in-person events for this year’s cohort. One will be a networking and stormwater tour in Virginia, and the other will be a career symposium in Baltimore.

How much does it cost?

The training itself is completely FREE, but if you would like to earn PDHs (Professional Development Hours), or CEUs (Continuing Education Units), there is a small fee associated.

When is the training, and how long will I have to complete it?

Training starts August 27th and runs through the end of October, but all of the recordings and virtual engagements stay available for completion for another month after the last scheduled webinar. We know life is busy and our aim is to have CUSP work with your schedule.

Please visit our CUSP page if you would like more information:

https://chesapeakestormwater.org/chesapeake-urban-stormwater-professionals-cusp/

Registration link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf9Vw3lhP37_5oWM_5hCkw_D3ECvJ0Itb9kDDDG0KlIkkn6Qw/viewform