Since 2010, IPC has worked with hundreds of congregations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and are expanding into northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. For over a decade, we have been fostering a powerful movement of congregations being good caretakers of our shared watershed. With the help of generous people like you, we have achieved so much over the past year!

208 Congregations Engaged in Creation Care

*Map showcasing all of the congregations across the Chesapeake Bay watershed that engaged with IPC this year.

55 Acres of Best Management Practices (BMPs) Installed

*Conservation landscaping project at Episcopal Church of the Ascension of Gaithersburg consisting of Maryland native plants and the redirection of a downspout to water the garden.

135 Activities Planned for Faithful Stewards

*Interfaith birding excursion at Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, MD

935 Volunteers Donated 2,203 Hours of Time

*IPC's volunteer "Trash Team" at Vegan SoulFest that helped to divert 2 tons of waste from the Baltimore incinerator and helped to set a model for future city festivals.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake has made significant strides in helping faith-based partners reduce their impact in nutrient and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay. In addition, we have helped thousands of people understand what a watershed is, which one they live in, and the importance of protecting it.

Alongside congregations and volunteers, we have partnered with more than 25 organizations to accelerate the impact of our efforts. Grants are secured by our partners or directly by congregations to design and implement projects that reduce stormwater and nutrient runoff. Last year, the amount of grant funding secured for projects (by partners and congregations) was more than $2.5 million! Since 2019, this type of grant funding has exceeded $4.3 million. The value of partnerships cannot be overstated.

Just think of the impact we will have as we engage more of the nearly 6,300 congregational properties in Maryland and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania each year. And imagine the potential with more than 19,000 congregations in the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Cheers to more faithful stewards caring for sacred waters in 2024!

If you are interested in pursuing grant funding, IPC can provide access to a grant writer and a technical firm to conduct a site visit and provide recommendations. To learn more, contact your IPC regional outreach coordinator:

Bonnie Sorak Director of Outreach (Baltimore City; Baltimore, Howard, Harford, and Anne Arundel Counties)	Mike Hudson Outreach Coordinator (Lancaster County, PA)	Mollie Rudow Outreach Coordinator (Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester, Caroline, and Talbot Counties)	Sarah Redden Outreach Coordinator (Prince George's, Frederick, and Montgomery Counties; DMV)