Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

10/09/2026

The October Confluence is here! This month’s newsletter is all about celebrating the Alliance’s impact, the history of October’s favorite squash, farming on unique landscapes, and much more!

See the full newsletter: mailchi.mp/allianceforthebay/confluence_october_2026
Subscribe to the Confluence: allianceforthebay.org/get-involved/newsletters/

10/07/2026

It’s so rewarding to revisit plantings and give trees the maintenance they deserve! Today we joined our partners The Wills Group, Dash In Stores, and Due East Partners at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary to conduct regular maintenance on a young forest. Thanks for playing such an important role in the communities that you live, work, and play in Dash In Stores team!

10/07/2026

The Alliance’s Brittany Smith, Senior Agriculture Projects Manager, and Joe Jurgielewicz and Sons LTD recently joined Poultry Times for the Coop Scoop podcast to discuss collaboration for farm conservation. The Alliance has been working with the Jurgielewicz farm for several years to help bring conservation practices to the farmers. Listen to the full podcast!

The Alliance and Joe Jurgielewicz & Son. Ltd. recently joined the Coop Scoop podcast to discuss collaboration for farm conservation.

10/02/2026

Amelia Street School construction has officially broken ground! Thank you to everyone who came out to join us. We’re excited to begin transforming this schoolyard into an accessible, outdoor nature trail. Everyone deserves the opportunity to spend time in nature. However, traditional outdoor spaces were not designed with all communities in mind. The Alliance has been working with partners to enhance the use of the open space at the Amelia Street School. Learn more allianceforthebay.org/project/outdoor-access-for-all-at-amelia-street-school/ and stay tuned for project updates.

Thank you to our partners Richmond Public Schools, VCU Sustainability, ameliastreeturbanforest, Marvel Designs, and Amelia Street Wellness for making this exciting project possible.

09/30/2026

Welcome to the Amelia Street Construction update series! We will post periodically so you can follow along with us as we transform this schoolyard into an accessible, outdoor nature trail. At the pre-construction meeting, our contractor, Greenfield Landscaping, was given the green light to begin prepping the site with protective fencing and building the construction entrance, and this week, we broke ground! Learn more richmonder.org/amelia-street-school-will-embrace-nature-with-new-trail/

Thank you to our partners Richmond Public Schools, Greenfield Landscaping, and Amelia Street Wellness. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting project!

The outdoor access will help encourage teachers and students to use the space as a learning center.

09/28/2026

Take a look at our latest project with a Lancaster County Amish dairy farm! With about 70 cows and 70 acres of cropland, efficiency is paramount. While traditional manure storage helps farmers prevent nutrient runoff, it still releases greenhouse gases. With help from TeamAg, Inc. and QUBE Renewables, a first-of-its-kind (in the US) liquid manure storage cover system has been installed. This innovative new system captures and reduces methane gases. In the future we hope to reuse this gas to power equipment on the farm. Stay tuned to see what this exciting pilot project has in store!

09/25/2026

Thank you for a great final 2026 Taste event in Annapolis! We had an amazing time at The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers with the 125 friends and partners who celebrated the Chesapeake with us!

Congratulations to our 2026 MD Watershed Champion, Les Knapp. Les exemplifies the spirit and impact of a Watershed Champion through his steadfast support of local governments in their efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Another congratulations to our Fran Flanigan Environmental Leadership Awardee, Al McCullough! Albert McCullough was a scientist, engineer, mentor, and Chesapeake Bay advocate whose legacy lives on in restored waterways and inspired lives. His ingenuity, dedication, and leadership have created a lasting legacy for Chesapeake Bay coastal restoration. Thank you to Al's son and business partner, Seth McCullough, who accepted the award on his late father's behalf.

We also had a very special guest join us in Maryland. Environmental pioneer, and the Alliance’s first Executive Director, Fran Flanigan herself!

There's still time to leave a congratulatory message for our award winners. We hope you will help us celebrate their accomplishments! bit.ly/4AxA9ot

Finally, many thanks to our incredible sponsors for helping us raise over $140K leading up to last night's event! See you next year!

09/24/2026

Learn how to keep our local waterways and air clean and healthy with a RiverSmart Homes Showcase! Join us this Saturday to see how Jones Memorial utilizes green infrastructure (a rain garden, cistern, shade trees, and conservation landscaping) to mitigate flooding, increase natural habitat, cool the air, and beautify its property.
There will be native plant and native tree giveaways, free gardening tools (while supplies last), and children's activities. The event is free. All are welcome. RSVP: tinyurl.com/RSHShowcase2026

09/22/2026

Thank you to Marvel Designs, BAE Systems, Inc., PNC, Environmental Systems Analysis, Organic Valley, OtherSide Beverage Project, and Tröegs Independent Brewing, for being paw paw-level sponsors for this year’s Taste! Don’t miss your last chance to join us this Thursday at the Atreeum at Soaring Timbers in Annapolis to celebrate the Chesapeake, our MD Watershed Champion, and our Fran Flanigan Environmental Leadership Awardee!

Get your tickets now! allianceforthebay.org/event/thetaste/

09/18/2026

Last night was a special occasion, as we held our inaugural Washington, D.C. Taste event! We had an amazing time at the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital with the 75 friends and partners who celebrated the Chesapeake with us!

Many thanks to our incredible sponsors for helping us raise over $140K leading up to last night's event!

Congratulations to our 2026 D.C. Watershed Champions, Bill Ferrell and Will Avila. The Chesapeake is lucky to have advocates like Bill and Will fighting in her corner!

There's only one more opportunity to join us at our 2026 Taste events. Our final event will be held on September 24th at The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers in Annapolis, Maryland. We hope to see you there! Get your tickets now. allianceforthebay.org/event/thetaste/