Letter from the Director

Dear Friends of Clean Water,

Fifteen years ago, a group of nonprofits and funders committed to the conservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay recognized the need for more coordination and collaboration among the nonprofit community. Hundreds of nonprofits working across the Chesapeake watershed shared the same dream of clean water and healthy communities, but were too often working in silos. With this need in mind, the Choose Clean Water Coalition was created.

Since 2009, the Coalition has grown from an initial 75 nonprofits to more than 300 member organizations throughout the watershed. Together, we work collaboratively to coordinate communications, messaging, and advocacy efforts to increase capacity and resources for on the ground conservation and restoration work. And the Coalition has a lot to celebrate in our 15th year. Our members have successfully increased funding for critical federal environmental programs, created new programs and resources for restoration projects, and ensured continued progress toward our shared clean water goals.

2024 was also an important year for Chesapeake restoration. This year marked the last year before the 2025 deadline outlined in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Agreement. This Agreement produced many successes, including achievements in land conservation, public access, and fisheries. But several of the goals and outcomes of the Agreement are behind schedule, including critical outcomes around restoring wetlands, water quality, and wildlife habitat. While the restoration effort is behind, this is the moment for strong action and bold leadership to overcome our challenges and ensure continued progress.  

And this is just the beginning. Over the next year, the Coalition will play a major role in influencing the future of the Bay restoration effort. Discussions are already in motion around the next iteration of the Agreement and changes to its goals and outcomes. The Coalition will work to ensure that the restoration effort continues to take a holistic approach and recognizes the important connection between land, water, wildlife, and people.

At this critical juncture, the Coalition celebrates our 15 years of success and looks to what the future holds for the Bay region’s nonprofit community. Now more than ever, we must lean and rely 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.

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