Fully half of Virginia is drained by Chesapeake Bay rivers, and two-thirds of the state's population lives within the Bay watershed. From the farm fields of the Shenandoah Valley to the pinewoods of the Eastern Shore, for most Virginians the Bay is as close as the nearest creek or stream.

EDUCATION FUNDING

For more than 30 years, CBF’s award-winning environmental education programs have been a cornerstone of CBF’s efforts to improve water quality and the Bay’s health. CBF’s teacher professional development initiatives, student education programs, and classroom curricula are designed to support state standards and action mandated by the regional Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. Each curriculum module was created as a cooperative effort with a variety of partners, including the Virginia Department of Education.

CBF has committed to providing a “meaningful Bay or stream outdoor experience for every school student” in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In Virginia, CBF’s environmental education program serves approximately 14,000 students and teachers annually.

CBF leverages $3 of private funds for every $1 of public funds. In addition, CBF provides curriculum and restoration opportunities for students and teachers at no cost to the state.

During the 2009 General Assembly session, the legislature continued its support of Virginia environmental education. Specifically, it maintained $50,000 in the 2009 fiscal year budget for CBF's Virginia-based education programs and increased funding for fiscal year 2010 to $100,000. This funding will be used to educate Virginia students through our one-day field programs and two overnight residential centers.