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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?
“What can you do to improve your watershed?”
Classrooms are asked to design and submit action project proposals that answer the question: “What can you do to improve your watershed?”
Open to Middle & High School classrooms in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Educators are eligible to receive professional development and support from Earth Force and its partners.
Win Money to Create Change
Classrooms compete for $6,000. Participating schools and clubs are eligible for $10,000. Implementation funding is available for $10,000.
How can I join?
Attend an info session with your students on Opening Day (see below!) to learn more about this opportunity and ask questions.
Miss the session? Email us to get the recording and set up a 1:1 meeting.
Participating educators can join our ’23-’24 Cohort! This group meets monthly to provide support and tips for the challenge. Click here to join!
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Meet your Earth Force Coach!
Sarah Jennings coordinates the Caring for Our Watersheds Chesapeake Bay challenge. She was a K-12 public school teacher in various states for a decade and has managed NOAA B-WET grants. She is a certified trainer of NAAEE's K-12 Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. She is passionate about empowering young people to be environmental advocates and giving adults skills to facilitate this process. Email her to schedule your first free 1:1 coaching session: sjennings@earthforce.org.
May 2, 2024
2023-2024 Finals
Congratulations to all the educators and young people who participated this year! Click below to watch the Finals replay!
Click HereVirtual Showcase
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Litter Crew - Jamestown Elementary School
The goal of this project is a practice change to raise awareness around the litter and dumping issue at their school and Jamestown Park. 5th graders advocated for this change to the science department, presented at the Student Environmental Action Showcase in partnership with NOVA Outside, and are now spreading awareness by filming cleanups and starting conversations on the Jamestown Morning News Show at their school.
Energy Vampires – Rachel Carson Middle School
The goal of this project is a practice change: to eliminate energy vampires! Middle schoolers took inventory on the appliances and technology causing the most energy waste and are currently implementing strategies to decrease the stealthy drains of their energy, therefore lessening CO2 emissions. They are working with Fairfax County Facilities and Get2Green to raise more awareness and grow out this idea.
Action From Above - Hunters Woods Elementary School
The goal of this project is a practice change to raise awareness about the impacts of erosion, due to increased flooding events, therefore keeping a stream clean on their campus. 5th graders, with the support of parents, are implementing stabilization strategies such as native terrace plantings and a rain barrel at their school to help decrease watershed pollution on a steep downslope area that leads into a creek.
MCHS Brings Back Bats - Mifflin County High School
Following a severe decline of bat populations across Pennsylvania, students from Mifflin County High School Science Club made a plan to help support remaining populations of bats nearby our school campus. With a combination of increased education and awareness, habitat improvements and advocacy, students hope to see populations of our bats rebound!
Oyster Restoration at the Crossroads School
Students that are apart of the BUGS (Baltimore Urban Gardening with Students) at the Crossroads School. This small group of students have all seen firsthand how there is an apparent need for oyster restoration and an increase in aquatic biodiversity. Their idea to combat this issue is raising ten oyster cages on the East Harbor, Baltimore Campus from spat to adulthood and then planting the grown oysters on a reef located outside of the Inner Harbor. They are planning on continuing this project annually, with new spat each year!
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Raising Awareness Buddy Campaign - Jamestown Elementary School
There is a lack of awareness about the problems facing the Chesapeake Bay watershed since it provides many people with water and it is getting polluted. Our stop-motion video shows how we want to spread awareness by making posters and placing them around the school which will result in a higher awareness for the younger students. We hope that people who see the posters will think about this problem and try to make a difference.
Important Dates
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OPENING DAY INFO SESSION
Attend an info session with your students on Opening Day to learn more about this opportunity and ask questions. Attending an info session is mandatory to kick off the competition for your students and will be offered at multiple times throughout the day. Sign up for one of the times with your students. 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:30 PM. Miss opening day? Email us to get the recording and set up a 1:1 meeting.
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ACTION PLAN DEADLINE
Deadlines to submit an action plan and get feedback. Submit early to get feedback! High School and Middle School (5th grade can be considered) of groups of 10 or more will submit the goal and strategies for an innovative, realistic solution to how students want to improve their watershed. 10 finalists are selected by community experts. All proposals can apply for implementation funding after the announcement, with priority of funding for finalists. (Teachers: when logging in, apply for the "classroom" Chesapeake Bay Watershed contest.)
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VIRTUAL FINALS CEREMONY AND ACTION SHOWCASE
The top 10 Environmental Civic Action Stories are announced for the final competition for prize money ranging from $300 to $1,000. Student groups take part in a reflection panel. All non-finalist action stories are showcased and voted on for a People's Choice Award for $200 prize money.
Find an event
Find all events and professional development opportunities on our Events page
Watch Caring for Our Watersheds Students Reflect on Their Experiences
Interested in Volunteering?
Volunteers can work directly with students and educators as a classroom presenter, mentor, or a project judge!
Volunteers will:
- Build youth-adult partnerships with the next generation of changemakers
- Learn about students’ innovative project ideas and provide input to strengthen their ask for a change
- Receive swag or a gift card for participation
Download the SY 23-24 Chesapeake Bay Caring for Our Watersheds Toolkit now to get started!
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.