Our economy and environment demand a steady and strong workforce of people who are committed to protecting and restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed and its natural resources. For 15 years, the Chesapeake Bay Trust has managed a workforce development program, the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, to build a pipeline of green professionals and stewardship ethics that last a lifetime.
“The Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps program gives young adults the opportunity to really get their foot in the door in the environmental and green career pathway,” shared Chesapeake Bay Trust Program Manager, Emily Stransky. “It empowers them to learn leadership skills, to make connections in the community, and build their networks, and that allows them to really advance their career.”
The Chesapeake Conservation & Climate Corps (Corps) empowers young people to serve their communities and gain real-world professional skills through one-year, stipend-supported terms of service. Corps members are matched with nonprofit and government host organizations and receive firsthand training on a wide variety of topics in the realms of climate, energy, watershed restoration, agriculture, forestry, and education.
The Chesapeake Conservation Corps was spearheaded by Maryland Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller. Thanks to Senate President Miller, a series of other senators, and many other supporters, the Chesapeake Conservation Corps was passed through Maryland legislation and signed by the governor in 2010. The expansion of Climate came from the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, passed by the Maryland General Assembly. This resulted in a name change and expanded the program’s scope to cover a wider range of climate topics.
Vanessa Holloway-Chambers is a graduate of this first class of the expanded Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps. Born and raised in Howard County, the Corps provided her access to pursue a career in the environmental field. She now works as the Climate/Environmental Educator with the Howard County Conservancy, helping with the “Youth Climate Institute Program which is an afterschool program for high schoolers to help them engage with climate action in Howard County,” as Vanessa described.
“The Corps program is really special for young professionals,” shared Vanessa. “I left the program feeling a lot more confident in being able to work professionally in the field. I don’t know where I would be without it, honestly.”
Vanessa is one of more than 400 alumni of the Corps who have become leaders in the environmental movement as well as engaged individuals bringing a stewardship ethic to non-environmental careers.
Emily Stransky oversees the Corps program at the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Emily, too, is an alumna of the program, a graduate of the third class in 2013. “I feel as though it was really a jumping off point for me as a participant in the program,” reflected Emily.
The Corps propelled Emily to dedicate her career to ensuring more young professionals have access and opportunity to thrive while making a difference for our environment. This ethic of paying it forward to protect our natural resources is core to the Corps. The majority of our host organizations hire their Corps members after they complete their year of service, strengthening their organization’s capacity to implement leading environmental initiatives and solve our State’s pressing environmental challenges.
In addition to funds from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (supported by Protect the Chesapeake & Coastal Bays vehicular license plate program referenced as the “bay plate”, a state income tax checkoff, and other sources), funding from the State of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE): An Exelon Company have allowed this program to grow substantially each year. From the first class of 16 participants in 2010, our 15th class welcomed over 50 new members. Corps participants have served in 47 Legislative Districts/Sub-districts across the State of Maryland. They are starting their own nonprofits, enacting policies, and implementing the daily practices in their neighborhoods that add up to measurable change for our communities.
“It’s exciting to see the number of alumni that have gone through the program who are now doing really amazing work in the environmental field,” Emily shared.
“I definitely see myself staying in the environmental field,” reflected Vanessa. “I would love to help everyone understand that climate isn’t just an environmental problem; it’s a problem that encompasses everything we do. We need all the help that we can get.”
As we plan for the 16th year of the Corps, alumni like Vanessa and Emily prove that if we empower individuals to commit to the environmental movement, together we can protect and restore nature for generations to come.
