Pennsylvania
In 1986, when Pennsylvania became a full partner in the Bay cleanup effort, CBF opened its Harrisburg office. Since then, CBF staff has worked across the state, reducing contaminated runoff by working with local farmers and landowners, fighting to save the habitat of the iconic brook trout, connecting students to the value of the waters around them, and advocating for wise clean water management.
About
Although we have made great strides in reducing pollution in the Commonwealth over the last few decades, nearly one-third of Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams continue to suffer from too much pollution. The Susquehanna River, the largest source of fresh water to the Chesapeake Bay, is also the largest source of nitrogen pollution to the Bay. Contaminated runoff from agricultural, urban, and suburban areas, sewage treatment plants, septic systems, acid mine drainage, and even air pollution foul Pennsylvania streams and remain the leading sources of Pennsylvania pollution to the Bay.
CBF’s Pennsylvania office staff strives to improve the Commonwealth’s water quality through successful collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders—including government officials, local decision-makers, farmers, landowners, businesses, and others—to implement projects, policies, and programs that reduce pollution in our rivers, streams, and ultimately the Bay.
Our vision is a Pennsylvania where all have safe access to healthy streams, rivers, forests, and air and where our diverse population feels empowered to work together to conserve and maintain a thriving economy and ecosystem.
Learn more about CBF’s legislative priorities for Pennsylvania’s General Assembly session.
Our Pennsylvania Offices
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Pennsylvania Office
In 1986, when Pennsylvania became a full partner in the Bay cleanup effort, CBF opened its Harrisburg office. Since then, CBF staff have worked across the state, reducing contaminated runoff by working with local farmers and landowners, fighting to save the habitat of the iconic brook trout, connecting students to the value of the waters around them, and advocating for wise clean water management.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Classes on how to become a Chesapeake steward, opportunities to plant trees, summer Eco-Camps and Student Leadership Expeditions--there are countless ways to join the save the Bay movement!
View All Events and OpportunitiesExplore Our Pennsylvania Programs
The Bay Advocacy Institute (BAI) offers college students the opportunity to delve into Chesapeake Bay topics, gain real-world skills in advocacy, and develop environmental solutions for their local community and beyond. CBF provides the expertise, training, and resources for this next generation of Chesapeake advocates to engage and inspire action on the issues that matter to them.
Adventure into the heart of the Chesapeake during a five-day environmental education summer camp designed for middle school students and hosted at a CBF island education center.
CBF's Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards, or VoiCeS, program engages local volunteers and their communities and fosters a deeper understanding of the Bay watershed and the efforts to restore it.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation's summer courses provide teachers with outdoor learning experiences that are aligned with local school system standards. Courses are open to educators throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
CBF's Chesapeake Leaders are a group of passionate Bay supporters who are leading the fight for clean water and a healthy Bay watershed.
The Halfmoon and Pequea Creek Watersheds Renewal Project represents an evolution in CBF’s work to reduce pollution to Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams accelerating the implementation of key practices to bring streams back to health, improve wildlife habitat critical to critters like the brook trout, and enhance local appreciation of local waters.
A multi-state program supporting farmers interested in grazing their livestock.
Join CBF educators in canoe and schoolyard-based exploration of local waterways in south-central Pennsylvania.
CBF’s Chesapeake Classrooms and School Leaders Environmental Leadership programs offer high-quality professional learning through field experiences and environmental education training that meet the needs of teachers and schools across the watershed.
Join CBF for a personal outdoor learning experience and collaborate with school leaders from your district and around the region.
CBF offers students and teachers the opportunity to learn outside while studying the Bay, its rivers, and streams during one-day and multi-day outdoor environmental education field trips. Programs are offered in DC, MD, PA, and VA.
CBF's Student Leadership program connects, educates, and inspires the next generation of environmental stewards to become critical thinkers and environmental problem solvers by advancing advocacy, raising awareness, and taking action to Save the Bay.
Hike, fish, wade, and paddle in the most inspiring natural areas in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, all while learning how to be an effective advocate for the world around you!
Do you enjoy working with others to help restore the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams? Whether growing oysters, planting trees, or helping in our offices, there are plenty of ways you can contribute.
Since 1986, CBF’s efforts in Pennsylvania have emphasized collaborating with landowners to implement on-farm practices that result in cleaner waters and more profitable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible farms.
