Stewardship Workgroup

Meetings

About

The long-term success and sustainability of Chesapeake Bay restoration depends on the actions and support of the more than 18 million residents who live in the watershed. The collective impact of these individuals can either help or harm the health of local lands and waterways. Across the region, hundreds of local conservation organizations — along with community associations, religious institutions, and other partners — are working to engage and empower residents to restore streams, reduce pollution, protect the environment, and strengthen their communities. Together, these efforts are helping more residents adopt behaviors that reduce our shared impact on the Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, revised in 2025, contains a Stewardship Outcome to "Increase the public's participation in stewardship actions that contribute positively to lands, waters, wildlife, fisheries and communities throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed" and a target to "build the capacity of leaders in the community and environmental professionals with the social science data, technical assistance and support needed to develop, improve and carry out individual- and community-level stewardship programs, including those that will help advance Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement Goals and Outcomes" through 2040. The Stewardship Workgroup helps advance this outcome by bringing together federal, state, local, and nonprofit partners committed to stewardship activities.

Projects

Publications

Related Resources

• Chesapeake Behavior Change

  Chesapeake Behavior Change is a resource to help organizations apply the results of a survey of thousands of Chesapeake Bay region residents about their stewardship behaviors that impact the Bay's health. This website also serves as a repository to publish and view organizations' campaigns to encourage collaboration and learning opportunities.