9/15 Deadline to Register for ‘Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards’

Registration is now open for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)’s popular adult education course, VoiCeS (Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards), which will run Thursday evenings from September 25 through November 13 at Eastern Shore Community College in Melfa. The course is an eight-week series of evening classes focusing on water quality and stewardship. Featured are in-depth sessions taught by Bay experts from CBF and other regional institutions and organizations. Car pools are available from the Cape Charles area.

Course topics include Chesapeake Bay natural history, plants, and animals; Eastern Shore history and waterman culture; Restoration efforts; Bay-friendly landscaping, Agriculture and the watershed; Bay legislation, citizen action, and advocacy.

Classes will meet Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Room 150 of the Workforce Development Building at Eastern Shore Community College, 29300 Lankford Highway in Melfa. The college is a co-sponsor of the course.

A fun Bay-related field trip is included in the course, as is discussion of Virginia’s Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, the state’s plan to restore creeks, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. Following the class, participants will be asked to perform 40 hours of environmentally oriented volunteer work. Successful graduates receive CBF’s designation as a “Chesapeake Steward.”

A $30 fee per individual ($50 per couple) covers the costs of materials and field trips. Space is limited; applications are due by September 15. To apply or get more information, contact Tatum Ford at 757/971-0366or email [email protected].