The power of the Coalition lies in the work of our more than 320 member organizations.
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Yesterday, the Choose Clean Water Coalition submitted formal feedback to the draft revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Ultimately, 91 organizations endorsed the Coalition's feedback letter. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement.
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the U.S. House of Representative’s Appropriations Committee released their House FY26 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill. The legislation contains funding updates on programs critical to the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement.
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) introduced the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act. This legislation establishes a two-year pilot program within the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to help facilitate new markets for blue catfish. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement.
(HARRISONBURG, VA)—Today, Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) passed away after a battle with cancer. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement.
(HARRISONBURG, VA)—At a turbulent time in the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort, more than 280 individuals from local, state, and national nonprofits, elected officials, government agencies, and businesses are gathering for the 2025 Choose Clean Water Conference.
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the President released his discretionary budget request, which proposes severe reductions of programs critical to realizing clean water. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement.
(WASHINGTON, DC)—Today, nearly 100 members of the Choose Clean Water Coalition met with their members of Congress to urge support for the restoration of the rivers and streams that feed the Chesapeake Bay. With the federal funding freeze blocking critical clean water programs throughout the region, the Coalition is asking Congress to reaffirm their longstanding commitment to the Bay restoration effort.
The weather may be cooling down, but things are the Coalition are heating up. We’ve had a packed calendar this fall. In October, we went on a water quality testing trip with Arundel Rivers Federation on the South River. Choose Clean Water staff used secchi disks and took water samples to determine visibility and algae levels in the South River.
Almost one decade ago, Choose Clean Water Coalition created the Young Professionals of the Chesapeake (YPC) Mentorship Program. YPC fills a unique need in our work for clean water. The program is among very few spaces, let alone mentorship opportunities within the Chesapeake Bay partnership, that builds support for diverse leaders within the Bay community.
Washington, D.C. is drowning in beverage container waste. From the banks of Oxon Run to neighborhoods across all eight wards, plastic bottles litter our public spaces and waterways. But a powerful grassroots movement is fighting back using strategy, determination, and collaboration.
Earlier this month, we had a very cloudy kick off to our 2025 Steering Committee Retreat in Washington, D.C. But we didn’t let the weather get to us—our Steering Committee, friends of the Coalition, and staff hopped on the boat ready to set sail on the Potomac River.
As Genesis’ time with the Coalition has come to an end, she tells us about her summer internship, what she’s learned, and even her final project! We’ll miss you, Genesis!
For this Member Highlight, the Coalition's former Virginia State Lead, Pat Calvert, interviews Bailey Pleasant, Watershed Coordinator at the Rivanna Conservation Alliance. Their edited conversation follows.
On April 24, 2025, environmental advocates, local leaders, and community stakeholders came together for an inspiring day of collaboration and learning at the DC Choose Clean Water Coalition (CCWC) Workgroup Luncheon, hosted by Nature Forward.
Hi! I am Genesis Ibrahim-Balogun (she/her), and I’m thrilled to intern with the Choose Clean Water Coalition this summer.
Yeah. It’s here. For his one-month birthday, we’re dropping some premium, highly requested Dewey merch! From tote bags to baby clothes, we’ve got it all. Get your Dewey drip now at our online shop!
(BALTIMORE, MD)—The Chesapeake Executive Council met today to discuss the current state of the effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams. The meeting, attended by Maryland's Governor Wes Moore, Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro, Virginia's Governor Glenn Youngkin, Delaware’s Governor Matthew Meyer, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chesapeake Bay Commission Chair Sara Love, and EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi, comes at a critical juncture in the Bay restoration effort.