Clean Water Conference Discusses Future of Chesapeake Bay Cleanup, Honors Leading Advocates
(ELLICOTT CITY, MD)—The future of the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort is taking centerstage this week at the 2024 Choose Clean Water Conference. More than 300 individuals from local, state, and national nonprofits, elected officials, government agencies, and businesses are gathering to discuss ways these different sectors can work together toward our collective goal of clean water in the Bay region.
The annual conference comes at a pivotal time in the Bay cleanup, as the 2025 deadline approaches to have clean water protections in place as part of the Bay restoration effort. With the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership developing their plan for the future of the restoration effort beyond 2025, the conference kicked off yesterday with an afternoon seminar featuring Bay Program staff sharing the direction of their plan and gathering feedback from attendees.
"At this watershed moment in the Bay cleanup, we're excited to convene a diverse set of stakeholders and provide a platform to host critical conversations on the future of the restoration effort," said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. "While we have made great progress in protecting and restoring the rivers and streams that feed the Chesapeake Bay, much work remains. We are eager to continue these vital conversations and ensure future cleanup efforts focus on projects and practices that make the greatest impact towards cultivating healthy communities throughout the region."
The conference continued with Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz delivering a keynote address. The chair of the Bay Program's Principals' Staff Committee, Secretary Kurtz plays a significant role in shaping the direction of the Bay restoration effort. "In Maryland, we're already moving forward with policies and projects to usher in the next phase of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup," said Secretary Kurtz. "We're focused on building new habitat for wildlife, developing performance-based funding methods for pollution reduction projects, and connecting more people to the Chesapeake through outdoor education and increased public access. Now is the time to bring forward and evaluate new ideas to build on our past success as watershed states work together to develop plans to continue improving Chesapeake Bay water quality past 2025. I'm proud to be in a position to help coordinate this important work. Thanks to the Choose Clean Water Coalition for inviting me to address the conference."
This evening, the Choose Clean Water Coalition honored Angie Rosser and Lisa Alexander for their contributions to the Chesapeake Bay's waterways. Rosser received the 2024 Coalition's Clean Water Champion Award, which is presented annually to individuals who exemplify the values of the Coalition, are a true champion for clean water, and demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. The former leader of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Rosser was a key partner and founding member of the Coalition as it celebrates its 15th anniversary. Now a Vice President at the National Wildlife Federation, Rosser played a central role in shaping the Coalition and provided crucial perspectives from the Bay's headwaters. Said Rosser, "The Coalition is an outstanding model that has taught me so much about working together to achieve positive results guided by vibrant vision, infallible integrity, and careful consideration for all. It's a special honor to receive an award among people in this movement that I deeply admire. I'm grateful to this Coalition for enriching my life, and continuing to lead the way for clean water and healthier communities across the watershed."
The Coalition also honored Lisa Alexander as the first recipient of the Dr. Beth McGee and Ridge Hall Clean Water Legacy Award, which is given to individuals who have dedicated their career to protecting and restoring the Bay's rivers and streams while advancing the need for partnership and collaboration to reach our clean water goals. The award is named in honor of two late Coalition members who made incredible contributions to clean water and the Choose Clean Water Coalition. Alexander is retiring in January 2025 after two decades as Executive Director of Nature Forward, formerly Audubon Naturalist Society. In her time at Nature Forward, Alexander has played a leading role in incorporating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the environmental movement, built award-winning environmental education programs, co-created a water quality monitoring smartphone app, Creek Critters, and helped shepherd the launch of a new State of the Streams water report card for the DC region. Alexander said, "We all need clean water, and our streams, rivers, and the Bay need all of us to restore and protect this most precious natural resource. I am humbled to receive this award named in honor of two clean water icons and I look forward to passing the torch to clean water champions of the future."
"We're thrilled to recognize Angie and Lisa with these awards. As the Coalition celebrates its 15th anniversary, its only fitting that we recognize individuals who have made indelible impacts on our work for clean water," said Reilly. "It's also an honor to establish an enduring tribute to Dr. Beth McGee and Ridge Hall in the creation of our Clean Water Legacy Award. Beth and Ridge made incredible contributions to the protection and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay's waterways and left a remarkable legacy."
The annual Choose Clean Water Conference provides a three-day forum for attendees to learn about the most important and up-to-date Chesapeake restoration issues, network with fellow Chesapeake Bay supporters and activists, develop strategies to advance federal, regional and local restoration goals, and learn from successes. Gathering in Maryland for the first time since 2019, the 14th annual Choose Clean Water Conference concludes today.
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Media contact:
Drew Robinson
443-927-8049
RobinsonAQ@nwf.org
