Non-profit partners with Annapolis Maritime Museum to create hands-on, environmental educational program

Chesapeake BaySavers, an Annapolis-based environmental non-profit organization, announced today its investment of $5,000 to sponsor the Annapolis Maritime Museum ‘Chesapeake Champions’ program. The program will be offered to second grade students attending Eastport Elementary School. Through environmental education and interactive activities, the program will educate students about their local environment and connection to it, with a focus on the Chesapeake Bay.

Educating youth on how their everyday actions can help protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay is a crucial step in creating a healthier environment. Entering its third successful year, The ‘Chesapeake Champions’ program fosters Bay stewardship and personal ownership of local environmental issues, while also empowering students to help improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Through experiments, hands-on activities and customized lesson plans, students will learn about the Chesapeake Bay’s geography, flora and fauna, how people interact with the Bay, the lifecycle of plants, the impact of erosion, and how to conduct experiments. The program will culminate with the implementation of a living shoreline project at the Annapolis Maritime Museum.

“Many children who live near the Chesapeake Bay have limited opportunities to learn about Maryland’s waters and environment, and the ‘Chesapeake Champions’ program is helping change that,” said Evan Thalenberg, Co-Founder and President of Chesapeake BaySavers. “We’re thrilled to work with the Annapolis Maritime Museum and support an initiative that will have such a positive and long-lasting impact on our youth and environment. With this program, we hope to foster the next generation of advocates for the Chesapeake Bay, and inspire a deeper appreciation and understanding of the national treasure that surrounds us.”

The program will be offered from September, 2016 to June, 2017, and funds will be used to provide instructors and program materials. Additional support for the program is provided by ClearShark H2O, a non-profit committed to preserving Maryland’s waterways.

About Chesapeake BaySavers

Chesapeake BaySavers is an Annapolis-based environmental organization dedicated to restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay through legislative efforts, community outreach and hands-on, environmental education programs for youth. Chesapeake BaySavers is comprised of two separate entities that each play a vital role in the organization: Chesapeake BaySavers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focuses on restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay through education, community outreach and hands-on environmental work, and Chesapeake BaySavers, Inc., a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization focuses on preserving, protecting and promoting the health of the Chesapeake Bay through legislative efforts, with an emphasis on legislation that affects oysters. To learn more, please visit www.chesapeakebaysavers.org.

About Annapolis Maritime Museum

The Annapolis Maritime Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to educating students and adults on the area’s rich maritime heritage and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. The Museum partners with community groups, government entities, and other like-minded organizations to deliver high-quality educational initiatives and programs on subjects ranging from history and culture to the environment and good stewardship practices. To learn more about education programs offered by the Annapolis Maritime Museum, visit www.amaritime.org.