Student Leadership

Why join CBF Student Leadership?

Learn Outside. Expand your knowledge of watershed issues through immersive outdoor field experiences and interaction with regional experts.
Action. Earn service-learning hours during hands-on restoration events and community engagement opportunities.
Advocacy. Promote watershed issues that are meaningful to you and support the legislative process by meeting with representatives and decisionmakers. 
Awareness. Build leadership skills, access resources, and make positive change in your community with support from CBF.

How does it work?

• The program operates year-round and is open to high school students living within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. 
• Student Leaders gain a deeper understanding of watershed issues during virtual and in-person programming.
• Student Leaders engage with decisionmakers, scientists, industry professionals, artists, and regional experts to better understand environmental policy, protection, and conservation. 
• Student Leaders select an issue impacting their community, then develop and implement evidence-based solutions using a Student Action Plan or SAPling. 

Commitment to Include all Voices.

Whether you are just beginning your environmental stewardship journey or are well into your trek, we welcome all to join our coalition. We aim to bring emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races to the decision-making space as we work to ensure all individuals have access to clean water, clean air, healthy communities, and a saved Bay.

Contact us using this form or call 410-268-8816.

Student Leadership Summer Expeditions

Each summer, CBF offers multi-day, overnight Student Leadership Summer Expeditions to rising 9th-12th graders. Registration begins each year in early January. Programs are open to both new and experienced student leaders. Prior participation in CBF’s Student Leadership Program is not required.

Student Leadership Affiliates

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Program combines two of CBF’s organizational strengths: education and advocacy. Ultimately, our goal is to foster lifelong engaged, ecological citizens. We would like to honor and recognize the following programs and schools that do the same, allowing students to realize their connection to the environmental world and empowering them to act on its behalf. They are our CBF Student Leadership Affiliates.