The Chesapeake Bay traverses 6 states, spans 64,000 square miles, and hosts more than 3,000 species of flora and fauna as well as more than 17 million people along its shores. It is, indeed, a national treasure but it is deteriorating at a disturbing rate.

Enter the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), a non-profit independents-conservation organization exclusively devoted to saving the Bay via restoration, conservation and protection programs. Founded in 1967, the foundation has adopted “Save the Bay” as its motto, thus, providing it an effective rallying cry for individuals, groups and organizations with related goals.

The organization serves as the watchdog for the Chesapeake Bay, a role that includes raising the awareness of people about the importance of the Bay for society’s welfare as well as for the environment’s well-being. Its management and staff as well as its supporters fight the environmental degradation in the Bay, which comes from a wide range of causes including toxic pollution, with science-based solutions.

CBF has several programs and projects in place that promote their mission, vision and goals. For one thing, it has its education and advocacy arm where schoolchildren are introduced to the Chesapeake Bay via educational tours. The schoolchildren are taught about the interrelated nature between the Bay and their lives at home and in school.

For another thing, it has its restoration and litigation arm. The organization lobbies local and state governments about policies designed for the Bay’s restoration, conservation and protection. Its restoration projects include planting of trees, restoring the oyster population, and cleaning up the Bay and its tributaries while its litigation activities include holding negligent companies accountable for their actions.

Has the foundation been successful in its goals? Yes, to a limited extent because the Bay is still considered as an ecosystem in danger but with the assistance of individuals, it is getting closer and closer to its goals.