Caring for Our Watersheds is the Chesapeake Bay's longest-running environmental action challenge.
It’s an unparalleled opportunity for students to develop STEM knowledge, environmental and climate literacy, and civic action skills as they create solution-oriented projects to improve their watershed.
Groups of middle and high school students investigate environmental problems in their community and develop civic solutions answering the question, “What can we do to improve our watershed?”. Participation, implementation, and prize money available!
Earth Force and Nutrien provide funding that supports putting their ideas into action.
How does it work?
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Meet your Earth Force Coach!
Sarah Jennings ("SJ") coordinates the Caring for Our Watersheds Chesapeake Bay challenge. She was a K-12 public school teacher for a decade and has a MA in curriculum and instruction. She is a certified trainer of Environmental Action Civics and NAAEE's K-12 Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. SJ will support you in anchoring CFW to your curriculum via co-planning.
Watch Caring for Our Watersheds Students Reflect on Their Experiences
2024-2025 Action Story Showcase
Raise & Grow Locally – Katherine Johnson Middle School
Students planned to reduce carbon emissions by raising chickens on campus, connecting with parents and farms, and managing implementation with a timeline.
Get2Green Gurus – London Towne Elementary School
By analyzing school waste data, students focused on food waste, introduced composting, recycling stations, and food sharing, and led school-wide education efforts.
Pollution is Bugging Our Stream – Langston Hughes Middle School
Students enhanced stream health monitoring with biological assessments, formed specialized teams, and created a plan to involve younger students.
Seed Bomb Project - Farmwell Station Middle School
Students proposed creating native plant seed bombs to support pollinators, highlighting the impact of tech development and partnering with local organizations.
Big Green and Gold – Blair Middle School
Students tackled nutrient pollution and food insecurity with a hydroponic garden plan, engaging their school and local community to distribute produce.
Buffer Builders – Mount View Middle School
Students researched runoff issues and partnered with a golf course to plan a native plant buffer zone that improves local water quality.
Community Pollinator Garden – Fredericksburg Academy
Students linked water quality data to pollinator needs, created a stakeholder-informed garden plan, and developed a multi-phase project with clear student roles.
Living Ponds – Crossroads School
Students addressed habitat loss near Baltimore Harbor by creating sustainable urban habitats and plan to share their model through a “pond toolkit.”
The Native Restorers – Jamestown Elementary School
Students tackled invasive species and erosion with a native rain garden design and produced a stop-motion video to share their solution.
Single Use Plastic Campaign – Rachel Carson Middle School
Students aimed to eliminate plastic water bottles through data analysis, education, and advocacy, supported by a structured, goal-driven implementation plan.
Looking Out for Brookie – London Towne Elementary School
Students studied declining brook trout populations, tied it to watershed health, and developed educational and advocacy strategies to raise awareness.
Caring for Our Community – London Towne Elementary School
After a detailed schoolyard audit, students designed a three-part plan to improve environmental conditions through student-led management and organizing.
Piney Branch Creek Action – Katherine Johnson Middle School
Students selected native plants to fight erosion, connected their local work to the Chesapeake Bay, and prepared to collaborate with county officials.
Plantable Pencils – Katherine Johnson Middle School
Students addressed school supply waste by designing plantable pencils and a reuse system, linking the project to global sustainability goals.
Practice Awareness – Blair Middle School
Students proposed an interpretive sign and events to promote native gardening and demonstrate its role in reducing stormwater pollution.
Trout in the Classroom – Katherine Johnson Middle School
Students connected trout-raising to watershed education, partnered with nonprofits, and planned a schoolwide learning event tied to trout life cycles.
The program is a project of Nutrien in partnership with nonprofit organizations around the world. Earth Force is proud to be the host of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Caring for Our Watersheds.