Letter from the Director

Dear Friends of Clean Water,

Since 2009, the Choose Clean Water Coalition has worked collaboratively to advocate for clean water and healthy communities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Over the past 16 years, the power of the Coalition has produced incredible achievements. Look no further than record funding for conservation and restoration and providing accountability on progress toward our clean water goals. Together, the members of the Coalition have improved the health and vitality of our rivers, streams, and communities.

But this critical work for clean water is not without obstacles. The last decade in particular has presented incredible challenges for our movement. Just this year we witnessed harmful delays on federally funded projects to clean our water, terminations on work to support our farmers and local food economy, and damage to our capacity to implement projects that protect our communities. Despite the turmoil and uncertainty caused by the gutting of many federal investments and policies, our movement is strong and undeterred.

This year, we have seen firsthand the tremendous impact of the collective power of the Coalition’s more than 320 members. The Coalition played a major role in influencing the future of the Bay restoration effort, helping shape the goals for the next 15 years of the restoration effort in the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Our advocacy will continue, as we strive to ensure that the restoration effort takes a holistic approach and recognizes the important connection between land, water, wildlife, and people.

Now more than ever, we must depend on one another as we navigate the next season of our work. It will take everyone, including our members, funders, and supporters, to spark the change we seek for today and future generations.

Indeed, harnessing the collective power of this community is why the Coalition exists. This year’s Annual Report is an important reminder of the incredible things we can do together, and I look forward to our future successes in the years to come.

For clean water,

Kristin Reilly

2025 Annual Report Stories