Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Annapolis, Maryland, that focuses on the environmental conservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed through advocacy, education, litigation, and environmental finance initiatives. Operating across the surrounding geographic region, the entity utilizes a combination of traditional charitable donations, grants, and innovative financial instruments such as environmental impact bonds to fund its ongoing conservation projects. The organization serves local communities, commercial businesses, and regional maritime stakeholders by implementing targeted strategies designed to minimize human impact on the surrounding natural waterways and ecosystems. Executive leadership includes Will Baker, who has served the organization for over 41 years, including more than 36 years as its chief executive officer. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation was founded in 1967 by Arthur Sherwood alongside a dedicated coalition of local businessmen, sailors, and fishermen.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is not a company but a nonprofit organization[1]. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization devoted to environmental protection and restoration rather than a for-profit enterprise.

High-Level Overview

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Chesapeake Bay[2]. Founded in 1967[1], CBF operates with a mission to "Save the Bay and its waterways by educating, uniting, and inspiring people to take action"[3]. The organization serves a 64,000-square-mile watershed spanning six states and home to over 18 million people[3]. CBF's work focuses on three core areas: environmental education, restoration efforts, and policy advocacy to protect the Bay's ecosystem and water quality.

Origin Story

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation was established in 1967 by Arthur Sherwood, a businessman and lawyer, along with friends[1]. By 1996, the organization had grown to approximately 80,000 dues-paying members[1]. The foundation evolved from a grassroots conservation effort into a major regional environmental organization. In 2021, Hilary Harp Falk became president and CEO, succeeding Will Baker who had led the organization since 1981[1].

Core Differentiators

• Educational reach: CBF's award-winning environmental education program has operated for 50 years, educating tens of thousands of students, teachers, and administrators annually through immersive field experiences[3]. The organization prioritizes education equity, ensuring 25 percent of schools served are under-resourced[3].

• Hands-on restoration work: CBF performs direct restoration activities across the watershed, including tree plantings, oyster reef rebuilding, and wetland restoration to reduce pollution and improve water quality[3].

• Policy advocacy: The organization actively lobbies state and local governments on regulations protecting the Bay, including recent efforts to stop harmful infrastructure projects[1].

• Watershed-wide approach: Rather than focusing solely on the Bay itself, CBF addresses the entire 64,000-square-mile watershed affecting water quality[3].

Role in Environmental Conservation

CBF functions as a watchdog organization fighting for science-based solutions to pollution[2]. The foundation operates field offices across five locations—Salisbury, Harrisburg, Richmond, Norfolk, and Washington, D.C.—positioning it as a regional leader in Chesapeake Bay advocacy[1]. With 185 staff members[1], CBF bridges the gap between community engagement, scientific research, and policy influence, making it a central player in regional environmental protection efforts.