CBF Virginia staff can't be in all 92 localities that drain to the Bay, so we rely on some of our most dedicated volunteers—Clean Water Captains—to be the eyes, ears, and a voice for the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint.

Clean Water Captains are Bay ambassadors who make a big difference in their communities, sharing information with neighbors, congregations, schools, and elected officials about policy initiatives that help restore the Bay and helping create practical, effective local clean-up plans. When you take things down to that level, you have to sit around the table and have a conversation about pollution in your local waters and how to address it. No finger pointing, just solutions that work for your local community.

Join our cadre of captains who have amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge about the Bay and are happy to share their successes with you. Your leadership can help your community and your local waterways—there's no better time to climb aboard! Fill out and submit our volunteer survey below and someone from CBF's local office will get back to you soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Clean Water Captains?

• Ambassadors for clean water in your community. Communities that protect and restore the health of local waterways reap the economic and quality of life benefits clean waters provide.
• Local eyes, ears, and voice for both CBF and the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint, the plan to restore the Bay by 2025 with interim milestones along the way. The Bay needs advocates to ensure threats to the Blueprint, such as Federal and state legislation, are addressed.
• An extension of (and supported by) CBF staff. CBF can't be in all Virginia localities that drain to the Bay. Solutions to local water quality issues need local water quality advocates.

How does CBF support Clean Water Captains?

• CBF hosts an annual retreat where captains gather from around the state to network, share successes, and learn the latest science and policy to protect water quality.
• CBF provides captains with an "advocacy toolkit"—a reference binder that provides "how to" information as well helpful resources.
• Additionally, CBF hosts a "Captains' Call" the first Wednesday of the month from 12:30-1:30 and again from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Captains share their successes and challenges with their peers and CBF briefs captains on pending legislation, new research, and other relevant, timely issues.
• Throughout the month, CBF shares news clippings, reports, webinars and other training opportunities to promote continual learning and skill building.

What does CBF ask of its Captains?

• To attend and actively participate during the monthly captains calls
• To engage in a minimum of six advocacy asks throughout the year
• To be a courteous, open-minded and collaborative partner within their community and with their elected officials to advance water quality initiatives.

Virginia Clean Water Captain Volunteers—After submitting this form, please send an e-mail to Gabby Troutman at [email protected] with "Virginia Clean Water Captains" in the subject to receive the short Captains Application. Thank you in advance for completing this two-step process.