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A Warning from the Bay’s Ospreys
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Who We Are
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Looking Back at the 2026 Choose Clean Water Conference
Since 2009, the Choose Clean Water Coalition has harnessed the collective power of more than 320 organizations to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake Bay region. By coordinating policy, messaging, and action, the Coalition speaks louder with one voice toward our collective goal—clean water.
(LANCASTER, PA)—Last week, more than 270 individuals from local, state, and national nonprofits, elected officials, government agencies, and businesses gathered for the 2026 Choose Clean Water Conference. With the nation soon celebrating it’s 250th anniversary, the conference provided a forum to discuss how these different sectors can work together to protect and restore the rivers and streams that feed the nation’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay.
(WASHINGTON, DC)—Today, nearly 80 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.
(WASHINGTON, DC)—Last night, Congress passed a minibus appropriations package on a strong bipartisan basis. The package now heads to President Trump's desk. The legislation contains funding for programs critical to the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement.
(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.
(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.
Over 130 Pennsylvanians gathered in Harrisburg for PennFuture and Conservation Voters of PA (CVPA)’s joint lobby day. Volunteers from over 28 counties came from all walks of life. Students, parents, local officials, and workers from all sectors came with the goal of advocating to protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources.
My name is Natalie Peoples (she/her), and I’m so excited to join the Choose Clean Water Coalition as the Digital Media Intern!
In policy circles, it’s a common refrain—the budget reflects priorities. As an intern with the Coalition this summer via the Yale Conservation Scholars Program, I had the opportunity to take a deep dive into the budgets of three jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay region and assess how their budgets align with the clean water goals outlined in the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.
It only took 38 years. Under The Wetlands Stewardship Act of 2026, Delaware has finally created its own protections for freshwater wetlands.
Last month, the Coalition staff and a group of our supporters ventured to Patuxent River Park to get an up-close look at the ospreys that call it home and learn about the challenges they are facing.
On April 23, 2026, Nature Forward welcomed members of the DC Workgroup of the Choose Clean Water Coalition for an inspiring day of learning, collaboration, and community building in “The Great Ward 8,” Southeast Washington, DC.
On April 21, 2026, Pennsylvania members gathered together in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for an in-person meeting focused on collaboration, policies, and shared priorities.
Members of the Maryland Choose Clean Water Coalition convened on April 21 in Point of Rocks—a small town south of Frederick, Maryland and adjacent to the Potomac River.
The Coalition is thrilled to welcome three new interns this summer! Coming to the Coalition through the Yale Conservation Scholars Program, Kierstin, Emma, and Flannery will tackle critical projects to support our work for clean water. Please join us in welcoming them to the Coalition
After the smashing success of the Coalition’s new logo last year, we were inundated with requests from member organizations to redesign their logo. Thanks to the many talents of our Intern Emeritus Leeanna Duong, we are thrilled to introduce fresh, new looks for four of our amazing members.
(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, it was announced a decision on the future of tribal representation in the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort will be delayed. In response, Choose Clean Water Coalition Director Kristin Reilly issued the following statement.