Restore Our Chesapeake in 2010

Despite millions of dollars dedicated to improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, its health and welfare have not only failed to improve, it continues to deteriorate. There are many reasons for this, the most significant of which is the loss of wetlands, which filter pollutants that contribute to the “dead zones” in the Bay.  The deterioration will continue unless more dollars are spent on restoring, constructing and enhancing wetlands.

Environmental Concern, a 501(c) 3 public not-for-profit, is all about wetlands. In 2009, EC restored thousands of feet of shoreline in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed – utilizing our staff and equipment. Our nursery crew propagated, grew and planted hundreds of thousands of native plants for use in our own projects, and sold to the wholesale and retail trade. EC’s educators traveled to dozens of schools with our Wonders of Wetlands Mobile Classroom teaching students and teachers the functions and values of wetlands, and taught thousands of teachers how to build schoolyard wetland habitats with their students.

Today, the second generation of EC staff carries on the work begun by Dr. Garbisch in 1972, as he strived to halt and ultimately reversed the 300 year trend of wetland loss.

Working every day, getting wet and muddy; we’re in the trenches making a measurable difference.

Environmental Concern is getting it done, but we need your help in 2010. Every dollar contributed to our fundraising drive is used for wetland education, outreach and restoration projects.

Now is the time to get serious about Restoring Our Chesapeake.

Suzanne Pittenger-Slear
President, Environmental Concern Inc.