Improve student and community ability to take action benefiting Chesapeake ecosystems through professional development and training, curriculum expansion, outdoor learning and stewardship. (Outcome 4)
The Department of Natural Resources provides grant funding through the Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Applicants can apply for funding through Grants Gateway which provides a resource for partners seeking technical and financial support for projects that foster healthy and resilient ecosystems, communities and economies.
The Chesapeake Implementation Bay Grant (CBIG) funds a variety of different projects including environmental education and stewardship. Funds are made available each year through an annual federal allocation. As such, available funds can differ from year to year.
Applicants can apply for the funds through Grants Gateway Outcome 4, which aims to improve student and community ability to take action benefiting Chesapeake and coastal ecosystems through professional development and training, curriculum expansion, outdoor learning and stewardship. Information from the latest solicitation is below:
Maximum Request: $75,000
When is this proposal due?
December 11, 2026
When is funding available?
Beginning July 1, 2027
How much funding is available?
Up to $75,000. If your proposal is above this threshold, please email the program contact below.
Who is eligible to apply?
Local non-governmental organizations or non-profits, local and state agencies, and schools and school systems including higher learning institutions. We encourage partners to detail how they are supporting local communities, enhancing outreach to groups who demonstrate need, and involving the communities they are working with in their programming.
Where can my project(s) be located?
Public lands, in schoolyards, community property, private property. All projects should be located within Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
What kind of projects are supported by Environmental Education and Stewardship?
Funding will be offered as available to support learning experiences and educational opportunities focused on environmental issue exploration and investigation leading to stewardship action. Funding supports two tracks for this funding program:
- Track One will focus on projects serving formal K-12 education systems, and
- Track Two will focus on projects serving communities or public education. Both tracks include proposals focused on local watershed and land-use issues, and should be based on sound environmental education principles.
Applicants should collaborate with the student or community that they will be working with to build capacity, engagement and stewardship. The project should address the needs of the community and include the voices of the community.
Examples of projects may include:
- Transportation and facility fees to allow student, teacher, or community access to natural areas such as parks, public lands, and to environmental facilities
- Environmental engagement or stewardship for students or community members
- Environmental educator professional development and training
- Community environmental education programs and training
- Supply costs for environmental investigations, field equipment, and stewardship projects
Who should I contact with application/project questions, ideas, or eligibility?
To discuss project ideas, please contact Jen Wolfe, [email protected].
How is my proposal reviewed and selected for an award?
When applying, please include the track number in your title (Ex. Track 1 - Public School Tree Planting and Identification Program)
Demographics/Need:
For both Tracks 1 and 2, your proposal will be scored on:
- The number of people who will benefit from the project,
- The outreach and participation of groups who demonstrate need
- Demonstration of addressing local environmental issues and community engagement, and
- Ability to provide demonstration value, transferability, or value to other programs or organizations.
Education and Stewardship Connections:
For Track 1 (School Systems), your proposal will be scored on:
- Connections to curriculum standards*,
- Opportunities to provide hands-on environmental and learner-led educational experiences,
- Capability for systemic or sustainable programming, and
- Inclusion of professional development opportunities.
For Track 2 (Community Education and Stewardship), your proposal will be scored on:
- Connections to environmental or stewardship best practices,
- Opportunities to provide hands-on environmental and learner-led educational experiences,
- Capability for systemic or sustainable programming, and
- Training and experiential learning opportunities.
*Connections between the proposed work and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards, Maryland Service-Learning Graduation Requirements, and/or the Engaged Communities Goal of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement (Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences).
Program Development:
For both Tracks 1 and 2, your proposal will be scored on:
- Emphasis on teacher/school system or community engagement in planning and implementation,
- Reach of the project and potential to benefit the local community, and
- Capacity to deliver the program as described
Budget:
For both Tracks 1 and 2, your proposal will be scored on:
- Feasibility for the requested funding to achieve the project's goals,
- Cost-effectiveness of the project, and
- Methodology to include the individuals, groups, or organizations needed to effectively fund and implement the project.
What are the required attachments?
Track 1 (School System or Systemic Program):
- A Transmittal Letter on official letterhead that is signed by an executive who is authorized to request funding on behalf of the applicant organization.
- Letter(s) of support from leadership of the school system(s) or organization (i.e. superintendent(s), supervisor of science, school principal, organization director)
- Complete Budget Table. Available on the Grants Gateway website
- Letters of Support from participating partners/impacted community members
- Communication and Engagement Strategy
- Environmental Literacy Plan or other evidence of environmental literacy programming, such as curriculum alignment, Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE), Environmental Literacy Model (ELM), etc.
Track 2 (Partner/Community Organization):
- Transmittal letter from applicant organization, with signature of authority
- Letter(s) of support from partners
- Complete Budget Table. Available on the Grants Gateway website
- Communication and Engagement Strategy
- Outline or documentation of environmental programming, training plan and/or activities for the project
Environmental Education and Stewardship Contact:
Jen Wolfe
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Watershed & Climate Services
(p) 410.260.8988|(e) [email protected]
