Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a 3-year grant totaling $882,750 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to support the One Water Partnership (OWP) collaborative. IPC is uniquely positioned to accelerate water quality outcomes in Maryland through engagement of congregations in addressing non-point-source pollution. The new funding will help IPC diversify its reach into new locations, expand existing partnerships, and leverage our ability to tap into innovative funding strategies.

Over the grant period, the OWP will engage 150 new congregations, train 50 new "green teams," and install 60-80 practices (27 acres of offset) to reduce urban stormwater pollution. Key strategies to achieve these goals include bringing in new funding along with traditional grants and working alongside non-traditional value-aligned partners and local agencies. The OWP's unifying and inspiring values of clean water, healthy communities, resilient landscapes, healthy soils, and engaged citizenry will accelerate critical conservation outcomes across regions and sectors.

IPC's proposal was the only grant awarded in Maryland out of a total of $9.6 million across 11 recipients, including six in Pennsylvania, three in Virginia, and one in West Virginia. One of the Pennsylvania grants targets Lancaster County, and IPC is a partner in that grant, which will enable us to expand our work and impact in Pennsylvania. 

"We are thrilled and honored to be the only project awarded in Maryland," said Jodi Rose, Executive Director. "We look forward to expanding the geographic reach of the One Water Partnership and welcome new congregations and new partners in new places to join us in our mission to save and restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed."

The new funding will help expand targeted hubs to include the entire Lower Shore of Maryland (including City of Salisbury and Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, and parts of Dorchester County), and all of Greater Baltimore (including Harford, Howard and Anne Arundel Counties). IPC is joined by technical asssitance partners including Blue Water Baltimore, Lower Shore Land Trust, Watershed Stewards Academy of Anne Arundel County and others. As a unique collection of non-traditional partners, the One Water Partnership will strive to bring together the religious and secular, economists and advocates, purists and pragmatists, government and citizens, because all people care about this one water we share.

More details on the slate of awardees is summarized by NFWF here. Join this work: learn more about the One Water Partnership, participate in upcoming events or trainings, or sign the pledge to be a Partner Congregation.