Student Project Resources
CBF believes the best way to learn about the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed is to experience it—to "learn outside." We also believe that student leadership has the most impact when students take the initiative on activities and projects.
CBF’s Student Leadership team advises students and connects them with available resources and opportunities. Please contact us if you have a project underway.
Self-Led Student Projects
Fix Your Schoolyard Bare Spots (PDF, 12 pgs, 1.2 MB) Bare spots are places where vegetation (such as plants, shrubs, grasses, flowers) no longer exists in the soil. Bare spots come in all shapes and sizes. The outcome of having any type of bare spot is the same: storm water hits the ground and is not able to soak in to the land. Use this step-by-step guide to fix the bare spots in your school or home yard.
Build Your Own Rain Barrel (PDF, 4 pgs, 612 KB) Capture rain water from downspouts to reduce runoff and have a water source during droughts using this easy step-by-step guide. Or watch our student video.
Build Your Own Rain Garden (PDF, 8 pgs, 627 KB) Add colorful habitat to your schoolground while keeping sediment from choking local streams by using this easy step-by step guide.
Bay-Friendly Living Tips—How can my behavior at home impact the Bay? Make sure you are being a good steward by reviewing these simple hints.
CBF Oyster Restoration—The Oyster Corps is a diverse collection of citizens and students dedicated to the common purpose of restoring oysters to the Chesapeake Bay. There are many ways people can help rebuild the Bay’s depleted oyster populations, and participation in any of these activities makes you part of this grassroots movement. Learn about oyster gardening and explore our programs in Maryland and Virginia.
Create a Schoolyard Habitat
Download our Schoolyard Habitat Kit (all files are Adobe PDF documents):
- Steps to Create a Schoolyard Habitat – 61K
- Schoolyard Report Card -134K
- Timeline Tips – 54K
- Perc Test Investigation – 78K
- Restoration Project Ideas – 45K
- List of Outdoor Centers, Maryland -29K
- List of Outdoor Centers, Virginia -8K
Easy Actions
- Save water. Turn off faucet while brushing teeth.
- Share your love for the Bay. Show a local stream to friends.
- Compost. Throw food scraps in the compost.
- Save paper. Print an assignment double-sided.
- Keep streams clean. Pick up a piece of litter.
- Prevent toxic pollution. Dispose of a household chemicals properly.
- Save electricity. Turn off a light.
- Recycle. Throw a soda can in the recycle bin.
- Get involved at school. Attend a green club meeting.
- Reduce emissions. Carpool one day.
- Reduce your resource footprint. Buy a used product.
- Video. Make a video about taking actions.
- Action campaign. Pick an easy action and lead a campaign at school, like “Save Water Week.
- Op-ed. Write an opinion piece about the Bay in your school paper or local Patch.
CBF Volunteer Opportunities
Depending on the season CBF’s local offices have a wide range of volunteer activites available from tree planting to oyster restoration projects. See what’s available in your area.
Additional Resources and Programs
More things you can do At Home, In Your Yard, Buy Fresh Buy Local.
Alliance for the Bay
Instructions for projects that reduce stormwater.
Chesapeake Bay Program
Lots of ideas for how you can contribute to protecting the Bay.
Bay Journal
Subscribe to receive the printed version of this monthly publication with updates on volunteer opportunities within the watershed.
Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education
Has a fantastic schoolyard habitat resource page on every project imaginable with helpful guidelines and tips.
Maryland State Department of Education
Has a great resource for teachers and parents about service learning.
