The Chesapeake Bay Trust, with the support of the Maryland Chesapeake & Coastal Bays license plate as well as other sources, introduced a new class of the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, the 15th class since the program was founded in 2010.
The Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, empowers young people to serve their communities and gain real-world professional skills through one-year, stipend-supported terms of service. Corps members are matched with non-profit and government host organizations and receive firsthand training on a wide variety of topics in the realms of climate, energy, watershed restoration, agriculture, forestry and education.
“The Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps ensures Maryland has a steady and strong pipeline of environmental leaders entering our workforce every year,” said Maryland state Sen. Sarah Elfreth (D-Anne Arundel). “I am proud to announce the 15th class of this incredible program that equips our young professionals to make a living while also making a significant impact in protecting and preserving our natural resources.”
More than 400 alumni of the corps have become leaders in the environmental movement as well as engaged individuals bringing a stewardship ethic to non-environmental careers. Many of them are hired by their host organizations following their years of service.
“This program connects the next generation of environmental professionals to the experienced network needed to make a continued difference in the health of Maryland’s treasured natural resources from wildlife and forests to local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Maryland Del. Jazz Lewis (D-Prince George’s). “When we empower our young leaders to apply their skills to green careers, we can ensure the wellbeing of our environment and communities for years to come.”
Recently, 53 new corps members met their host organizations to learn more about their job responsibilities for the upcoming year.
“The 15th class is a significant milestone for this valuable program that trains new professionals to join the agencies and organizations committed to the wellbeing and sustainability of our communities,” said Maryland Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo (D-Montgomery). “The corps is building the next generation of environmental leaders for Maryland.”
This year’s cohort is the second since the program’s expansion to include climate work and since its official name change to the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps. The expansion came from the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, passed by the Maryland General Assembly, and provides the corps with an additional $1.5 million per year starting with the 2023-2024 class who graduated today. These funds increase the cohort size, boost the stipend for corps members, and expand the program’s scope to cover a wider range of climate topics.
“The growth of the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps is an investment in the people who will ensure the future health of our state,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky, who was the lead author of the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 when he was in the Maryland state Senate. “Corps alumni continue to have a measurable impact in protecting our natural resources, and I am confident the 15th class will build on this progress to further mitigate effects of climate change and influence policies and practices that protect our environment.”
During their year of service, corps participants collaborate directly with their host organizations to gain valuable on-the-job experience as they work to advance environmental conservation, K-12 education, energy efficiency programs and other climate resiliency goals, sustainable agriculture practices and a host of other environmentally focused initiatives.
With the expanded focus on climate, corps members’ work will include clean and renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency, climate adaptation activities specifically in communities disproportionally affected by climate impacts, mitigating health impacts of climate change in underserved communities and much more. In addition to this real-world experience, the Chesapeake Bay Trust provides professional development and service-learning opportunities including grant writing and project management.
“Corps members gain valuable personal and professional experience through the program as well as provide critical support to nonprofit and government agencies to help address the environmental issues affecting Maryland,” said Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources Josh Kurtz. “This 15th class will be instrumental to our work to protect the environment across the Chesapeake region.”
Funds for the program are provided by the state of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Trust (supported by the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays vehicular license plate program referenced as the “bay plates”), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Baltimore Gas and Electric.
“The corps illustrates a long-term solution for the health of our environment and communities,” said Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “These incredible young environmentalists are implementing practices, finding new solutions, changing behaviors and preserving our natural resources to revitalize and strengthen communities, many of which have been historically excluded and underserved, ensuring we all benefit from a clean, green and healthy Maryland.”
The 2024-25 Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps participants will serve this year in Baltimore City and the following counties; Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Washington and Worcester.
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