Uncharted Waters: Coronavirus and the Choose Clean Water Coalition

UPDATE (3/27/20): Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Choose Clean Water Conference is delayed until May 2021. Despite the delay, we are still excited to bring the conference to Richmond for the first time and to work with our partners in the city to put on a fantastic conference.

It was less than two weeks ago, on March 4, when more than 100 members of the Choose Clean Water Coalition met with their members of Congress to urge support for the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. The Coalition's 8th annual Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill was a smashing success, setting new records with 41 meetings with congressional offices and 156 organizations signing letters endorsing the Coalition's appropriations asks. At the time, the coronavirus outbreak was known in the United States, but largely not influencing daily life. Of note, of those 41 meetings, only one office refrained from handshaking and "social distancing" was not part of the cultural lexicon.

But just six days later, members of the Coalition staff were back on the Hill for meetings in conjunction with the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, and out of meetings with 32 offices, every single office refrained from handshakes. Fast forward another week, and telecommuting is the norm, states are setting curfews, and public places, save grocery stores and pharmacies, are closing for the foreseeable future.

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads and wreaks havoc across the globe, the Coalition and our 250 members are not immune from its impact. Organizations are cancelling or delaying volunteer events, services and programs are pausing to protect public health, and many groups are understandably anxious over the impact the economic downturn might have on fundraising efforts.

Here at the Coalition, we are closely monitoring the outbreak and how it might influence our 11th annual Choose Clean Water Conference, which is scheduled for May 19-21 in Richmond, Virginia. The conference is a highlight of the year, providing an opportunity for members of the restoration community to learn, network, and collaborate. As of this writing, the conference is moving forward as planned and registration is open. While we are hopeful that we can host the conference this year, our member's safety is our number one priority and we are committed to postponing the conference if it would put any attendees at risk.

Given the chance we might delay the conference this year, all registrations are subject to a full refund should we postpone the conference and/or if people no longer can or want to attend. The Coalition will decide on this year's conference by mid-April, giving everyone who registers plenty of time to cancel travel and hotel accommodations without any loss.

Despite this unprecedented obstacle, we are encouraged by the dedication of our members to continue the critical fight for clean water, the creativity to improvise new ideas to meet goals, and the wide-ranging support for one another during a difficult time. As we navigate these uncharted waters together, stay tuned for updates on the Choose Clean Water Conference and helpful tips on working for clean water in a world consumed by a public health crisis.

Drew Robinson is the Choose Clean Water Coalition’s Senior Communications Manager