Table Of Content

CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION 2007 ANNUAL REPORT m CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION Saving a National Treasure ^ ' PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE As 2007 ends, CBF’s Board and litigate in Commonwealth courts. staff thank you, our dedicated And we taught tens of thousands members, for supporting us. With of students as the nation’s largest volunteer hours, advocacy, and environmental educator. CBF has contributions, CBF members are also entered the federal legislative responsible for our every success. arenabyadvocatingreform to the federal Farm Bill and the federal We have much to celebrate. No Child Left Behind Act. Twenty-five years ago, there was no definitive agreement forrestor- H ^B Still, there is much to be done. As mg the Chesapeake Bay In fact, I f, Wk I CBF’s 2007 State ofthe Bay shows, the states were more likely to be I j M Jfl I poor water quality continues to fightingoverthe Baythanworking Chesapeake Bay Foundation President threaten the Bay. Blue crabs, oys- together for it. Today, the states William C. Bakerand Chairman D. Keith Campbell ters, and other species are strug- have formed a working pact and gling.Andourrevivedstripedbass signed the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, which sets spe- population faces disease, failing food resources, and cific and measurable goals, an important first step. reduced habitat. Rising water temperatures threaten Twenty-five years ago, there were no sewage treatment underwater grasses and pollution-filtering wetlands. plants on the Bay that had nitrogen removal technology. Sprawling developmentcontinues to blightthe landscape. Today, more than half the plants do. Twenty-five years 170,000 new people moved into the Bay watershed in ago, striped bass were nearly gone. Today, they are plen- 2007, eachleaving an environmental footprint. tiful. Twenty-five years ago, we had 10,000 members. Today, we have nearly 200,000. Our elected officials knowwhat must be done to get the Bayoffthe federal CleanWaterAct’s “dirtywaters” listby In just the past year, our legislative victories in the court-imposed 2010 deadline. In 2008, we will push Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia resulted in hun- evenhardertosee thattheyfollowgoodscience andfund dreds ofmillions ofdollars allocated to pollution reduc- the existing restoration plans to meet the deadline. tion. We have planted underwater grasses and living shorelines across the region, and we have started collab- Thank you for making all of this possible. We will save orative investigations into precision feeding for farm ani- the Bay. mals and waste-to-energy solutions for agricultural manure. Our combination ofgrassroots outreach, media work, and effective litigation defeated two proposed mega-developments thatwouldhave furtherpolluted the Bay. CBF attorneys won a precedent-setting victory before Virginia’s Supreme Court, confirming our right to William C. Baker D. Keith Campbell TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction AR3 - — , New Outreach AR4 3*? ^-# ‘ New Momentum AR8 . New Investment AR12 Financials AR15 CBF’s Philip Merrill Environmental Center inAnnapolis, Maryland, earned the Centerfor Built Environment’s Livable BuildingAward in 2007 for Leadership Back cover exemplifyingthe benefits ofgreen technology in the workplace. AR2 CHESAPEAKEBAYFOUNDATION- CBF.ORG 2007 ANNUAL REPORT We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone. .and whatever happens . is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something. Sandra Day O’Connor Ata September press conference atthe Merrill Center, SeniorScientist Dr. Beth McGee explains CBF’s 2007 BadWaters reportto members ofthe media. Concernfortheenvironment,coupledwithanewdetermina- Basingourpolicies onsoundscience, wehave aligned our tiontostopthedegradationofourwater,land,andair,reached goals with those laid out in the region’s 36 Tributary newheightsofpublicconsciousnessin2007.IntheBaystates, Strategies (river restoration plans). We have set our sights citizensexpressedagrowingawarenessofthetollthathuman onleveragingCBF’sresourcestoenactthisblueprintbythe activities are takingon the Chesapeake Bay, voiced theirsup- year2010, asourregion’sleadersagreedwhentheysigned portforvigorousnewprograms and fundingforits recovery, the self-imposed Chesapeake 2000 Agreement (C2K). We and shared theirconvictionthatsavingthe Bayandrestoring know that by aggressively reducing runofffrom farmland ourregion’swaterwaysisanurgentandessentialtask. and upgrading sewage treatment plants, we can achieve approximately 80 percent of the necessary pollution This public outcry reflects the Chesapeake Bay reductions for about 20 percentofthe overall cost. Foundation’s (CBF) 40-year effort to attack the causes of pollution, restore the natural landscape, and raise the con- As 2007 closes, we are at a tippingpoint. CBF has pushed sciousnessofourcitizens. Ourgoalisto achieve significant hard to reduce pollution, secure funding, and provide improvements and create lastinginvestmentsby2010. countlessopportunitiesforstudents,teachers,andothersto — experience the Bay. Progressis accelerating butwehave a This past year, our staff and volunteers dedicated them- longwaytogotomeetourobjectives,andthegovernment’s selvestocampaignsthatlinkedthecommoninterestsofour C2Kannualpollutionreduction target, by2010. members, farmers, watermen, teachers and students, the businesssector,andenvironmentalpartners. Theresultwas Like the public, we are convinced that these goals are nec- a powerful new synergy that yielded positive momentum essary and achievable, and we imbue every one of our and growinginvestmentinpollutionreduction. actionswith thatbelief. 2007ANNUALREPORT AR3 AR4 CHESAPEAKEBAYFOUNDATION CBF.ORG NEW OUTREACH Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead CBF’s nationally acclaimed, hands-on educational experiences putstudents in touch with their local waterways and instill environmental awarenessforthe future. CBF ACTION NETWORK Reaching out through advocacy, volunteerism, education, alliances, and membership, CBF expanded and strength- The CBF Action Network, our online community of Bay ened itsbase ofsupportin 2007. advocates, extendedits reachin2007. Thenetwork gener- ateda 12 percentincrease (from 17,000 to 19,000 overthe ADVOCACY previous year) in the number of issue-oriented e-mails As CBF’s outreach grows, so does our capacity for action. delivered to elected officials. These messages generated Nowherewasthismore evidentthaninour2007 advocacy added political clout as we advocated for our issues and campaigns: urging funding for pollution reduction in the ensured thatourvoices continued tobe heard. federal Farm Bill and Pennsylvania’s Resource VOLUNTEERISM Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP), and opposing poorly-plannedmega-developments.Acrossthewatershed, Throughout the watershed, more than 14,000 volunteers CBF’sstafffocusedintenselyonlobbyingefforts, e-commu- joined CBF’s active, hands-on efforts to reduce pollution nications, paid media, and direct outreach to educate citi- andimprovewaterquality. Thisyear’sCleantheBayDayin zensandpoliticiansontheissues.TensofthousandsofCBF Virginia, an annual pick up of trash and debris in local — membersandvolunteersturnedoutfortownhallmeetings, waterways, attractedmore than6,000participants anall- responded to our call to contact their elected officials, and time record. Additionally, anewcorporate partnershipwith opened their homes for community discussions. Their Starbucksbroughtitsemployeesandcustomerstovolunteer effortsresultedin tangible gains for CBF initiatives. atrestoration events in Maryland, the District ofColumbia, 2007ANNUALREPORT AR5 — and Virginia. These efforts reflect the kind ofcollaboration VoiCeS began at CBF’s Heart ofthe Chesapeake Office in that has tremendous benefits for the Bay. Salisbury, which leads our restoration and outreach efforts onMaryland’s EasternShore. Ourimportantwork Graduates of CBF’s three-year-old VoiCeS (Volunteers as in this region was initiated and has been sustained by Chesapeake Stewards) program, which combines in- lasting and meaningful support from the Mary Flagler depth tutorials on Bay issues with a commitment to 40 Cary Charitable Trust. hours of community service, undertook outreach proj- EDUCATION ects in Maryland from Frederick to the Eastern Shore. VoiCeS-certified “Chesapeake Stewards” lent hands-on Environmentaleducationhasbeenanessentialpartofour assistance, restoring oyster reefs, monitoring water qual- mission for more than three decades, and our dedication ity, and “greening” local schools. More than 50 partici- and success have earned CBF recognition as the leading pants completed the program in 2007. environmental educatorin the country. Ourprogram, the largestofits kind, offersunique field experiences, accred- ited professional development courses for teachers, stan- dards-based classroom curriculum materials, and student leadership opportunities. We also coordinate hands-on restorationprojects forpupils, such as growingunderwa- ter grasses for transplant, raising oysters, building rain barrels, designing rain gardens, and participating in schoolyard “greenification” projects. In2007, CBF providednearly40,000 on-the-watereduca- tionalexperiencesforstudentsandteachersthroughoutthe Baystates. One supporter, the BeazleyFoundation, helped underwrite Virginia field trips for nearly one thousand Hampton Roads students. “Our region is blessed with the natural beauty ofthe Chesapeake Bay and tributaries, and education promotes and enriches an appreciation of the Bay’sextraordinaryvalue,”saysFoundationPresidentJudge Richard Bray. For the eighteenth consecutive year, another — partner the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race donated allproceeds fromits annual event to our environmental education program. Upstream, the Susquehanna Watershed Education Program in Pennsylvania introduced 2,000 students to their local rivers and streams through support from concerned donors like Louis J. Appell of York. Appell’s support stems from his beliefthat “it isvery importantthatstudentsrecognizethegreatsignificancethat ahealthyBayhas forourarea.” This year, CBF also expanded its Student Leadership Program,runningfivesummertripsfor63participantsfrom THE FACES OF CBF JJ.T. “JERRY” CRAWFORD CBFMEMBER OFTHE YEAR CBF presented its 2007 MemberoftheYearaward toJ.T. “Jerry” Crawford, an active CBFvol- unteer and memberfor more than two decades. As a certified BayWise Master Gardener, a frequent worker at CBF’s Oyster Restoration Program, and a political advocate, Crawford is steeped in Bay knowledge, which he shares with the public at CBF Speakers Bureau presen- tations, fairs, and festivals. Since retiring from an international career with the Central Intelligence Agency, he has authored two works of historical fiction, Skipjack! and Beyond Reach. He donates 20 percentof his books’ proceeds to CBF AR6 CHESAPEAKEBAYFOUNDATION- CBF.ORG Imahk Von “The Beazley Foundation is pleased to partnerwith the Tree planting events sponsored by Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Portsmouth Public Schools in providing CBF attracted participants from many ‘on-the-water’ experiences for local students,”says Beazley Foundation sources.A new partnership with PresidentJudge Richard Bray,shown here (second from right) Starbucks provided volunteer manpower with a group of Hampton Roads students. to projects acrossthe Bay watershed. across the watershed. New to this effort in 2007 was the These working partnerships have amplified CBF’s Student Action Network, an online program that provides effectiveness. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine stated that high school students with ideas and resources for environ- CBF’s work with diverse partners, including the mentalprojectstheycandointheirowncommunities. Virginia Farm Bureau, is a compelling reason why he wants to continue to invest in pollution reduction ALLIANCES measures, despite competing needs and tight fiscal Forming strong relationships with partners was a hall- restraints. mark of2007. For example, a coalition ofmore than 125 MEMBERSHIP national groupsjoined with CBF to reform the No Child Left Behind Act to ensure environmental instruction for At the close of2007, CBF membership reached an all- — our nation’s schoolchildren. Leaders in the health and time high, nearing 200,000 an increase over the construction industries allied themselves with a CBF ini- previous year of more than 10 percent. This growth tiativeinthe Marylandlegislature thatcreatedafundded- indicates both the vitality of CBF’s message and the icated to improving water quality in the Bay. And the growing consensus that the Bay and its rivers and Chesapeake agricultural community backed CBF cam- streams need every citizen’s support. Backed by our paignsforBay-savingfunding(inPennsylvania andinthe members, CBF pledges to continue the ongoing fight federalFarmBill) thatwouldhelpfarmersimplementpol- to protect and restore our national treasure, the lutionreduction strategies. Chesapeake Bay. APRILTODD NORTHRUP GRUMMAN TEACHER OFTHE YEAR Each year, CBFhosts a special Baytripforteachersfrom around Maryland who have been nomi- nated astheTeacheroftheYearin theircountyand Baltimore City.This October,AprilTodd,a lan- guageartsteacheratSomersetIntermediateSchool in SomersetCounty,wasselected asTeacher oftheYearoutof24candidates.Sheand 15ofherfellownomineestraveledtoCBFsSmith Island education centerfora three-day retreat.This trip was sponsored by Northrop Grumman through itscommitmentto supportCBF’s Maryland Environmental Education Programs. 2007ANNUALREPORT AR7 AR8 CHESAPEAKEBAYFOUNDATION- CBF.ORG NEW MOMENTUM Sometimes being pushed to the wall gives you the momentum necessary to get over it. Peter deJager Thousands of bushels ofoystershell must be bagged each yearto supply CBF’s oyster propagation projects. Students stand atop a mound at CBF’s Oyster Recovery Center in Shady Side, Maryland. National and local breakthroughs in 2007 reflected CBF’s waterfrontprojectonMaryland’sEasternShoreweredenied insistence onimmediate, bold actionbyelected officials. In after CBF President William C. Baker and Maryland addition to ground-breakinglegislation at federal and state ExecutiveDirectorKimCoblemetwithGovernorO’Malley. levels to fund pollution reduction measures by farmers, CBF made furtherstrides in anumberofkeyinitiatives. RESTORATION The year also brought progress in key restoration proj- BLACKWATER ects. Ongoing efforts to bringback the Bay’s dwindling Tens ofthousands ofactivists and supportersjoined forces oyster population got a boost from new, CBF-initiated with CBF in 2007 to oppose dangerous precedents innew legislation in Maryland, where the General Assembly development. Our campaigns combined a variety oftools: mandated safeguards for existing oyster reefs and grassroots organization, online alerts and petitions, aggres- funded programs to restore the native oyster. sivemediaefforts,andlegalaction. InavictoryforCBFand Meanwhile, large-scale oyster propagation efforts at itspartners, afinalsettlementbythestateofMarylandhalt- CBF facilities in Maryland and Virginia showed ed a sprawling mega-project that threatened Blackwater encouraging success, and millions ofjuvenile oysters NationalWildlife Refuge. Under the revised plan, the state were planted. CBF’s many-faceted oyster program sup- purchasedmorethan700acresofthepropertyforProgram ports the recovery of one of the Chesapeake’s most Open Space and allowed less than 10 percent ofthe origi- valuable natural filters, which will improve water nal development. In a separate case, permits for a large quality throughout the Bay. 2007ANNUALREPORT AR9 CBF litigation contesting discharge per- InWashington, D.C.,the House of Repre- Governor Edward Rendell and mits granted to corporate giant Phillip sentatives passed a 2007 Farm Bill that the Pennsylvania legislature approved a Morris resulted in a victoryfor regional would provide $500 million overfive $10 million taxcredit program to support environmental organizations. yearsfor Bay conservation measures. conservation measures byfarmers. With a generous multi-year grant awarded by the lenge the—state’s environmental decisions onbehalfoftheir Richard King Mellon Foundation in 2006, CBF lever- members a rightpreviouslydenied. aged additional resources for habitat restoration in Pennsylvania. Working with our partners in the LITIGATION Commonwealth, CBF completed more than 350 CBF’s newly expanded litigation department continued restoration projects, planting some 300,000 trees and to press for enforcement ofexisting environmental reg- shrubs. The results were 191 miles of new forested ulations. Staff attorneys used litigation more ambi- buffers, including 600 acres ofwetland restoration and tiously than at any time in CBF history, arguing 17 enhancement. Buffers are tremendously cost-effective cases in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of pollution filters; new research shows that streams with Columbia, and filing friend-of-the-court briefs in relat- these natural filters can remove two to eight times as ed environmental suits. The program enlarges CBF’s much nitrogen as streams without buffers. ability to use every tool at its disposal to demand enforcement of existing environmental laws. It has PHILIP MORRIS been made possible with dedicated funding from foun- Inalandmarkruling, the Supreme CourtofVirginiaunan- dations and individuals like Louis F. and Pru Ryan of imouslyrecognized CBF’s right to challenge pollution per- Norfolk, who have supported CBF for two decades. “I mits issued by the Commonwealth (in this case, to indus- feel strongly that collaboration and cooperation are trial giant Philip Morris). The high court’s decision in May superior tools for restoring the Chesapeake,” explains meansthat,forthefirsttime,conservationgroupscanchal- Mr. Ryan. “However, sometimes, as a last resort, it is THE FACES OF CBF JON MUELLER CBFLITIGATION DIRECTOR Sincejoining CBF in 2004, Litigation DirectorJon Mueller has led strategic and focused legal action to protectthe Bay and its rivers and streams. He now heads a team ofthree who pur- sue cases throughoutthe Bay region with the goal ofenforcing environmental law. In a land- mark victory this spring, Jon successfully argued before the Virginia Supreme Courtthat CBF hadthe righttochallenge pollution permits issued bythe Commonwealth.The rulingconfirmed the rightofgroups like CBFto oppose, on behalfoftheir members, state permits thatthreat- en the quality of our water. Jon previously served for 17 years as an attorney with the U.S. DepartmentofJustice Environmental EnforcementSection. AR10 CHESAPEAKEBAYFOUNDATION- CBF.ORG