Environmental Leadership for Independent School Leaders - Summer 2026
Open to all school and sustainability leaders, coordinators, and administrators in DC, DE, MD, VA, PA, WV.

Individuals in independent school sustainability leadership roles across the watershed are invited to join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a three-day immersive exploration of the Bay and the unique waterman community of Smith Island. CBF is partnering with AIMS, AISGW, VAIS, The Gunston School and The Country School to offer a course specifically tailored to independent school environmental sustainability leaders. Through hands-on experiences, course participants will consider how a school's "environmental mission statement" impacts school culture; explore how organizational structures can support and enhance a school's environmental mission; and discuss how a school can most effectively design and implement high-impact environmental curriculum and programming to benefit their local environment, promote environmental literacy, and boost academic achievement. In addition, participants will learn how a school's campus and facilities can serve as an integrating context for environmental teaching and learning while boosting student mental health and well-being. Join us on the Bay to network and collaborate with other independent school sustainability leaders from around the watershed.

• Length & Location: Three-day, two-night residential experience at CBF's Smith Island Environmental Education Center for field-based, whole-group, outdoor investigations. The course will begin and end at Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, MD. The course activities will take place on Smith Island. The ferry departs Crisfield, MD at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5 and returns no later than 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7.
• Course Credit: Upon successful course completion, participants are eligible for continuing education credit or contact hours. See details on the Professional Learning Credits page.
• Orientation: A virtual orientation may be hosted in the weeks prior to each course start date. A link will be sent to the email provided during registration.
• Cost: There is no fee for participants, thanks to support from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation, Inc.
• Cancellation Policy: All cancellation requests must be made in writing and sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Space is limited. If you register and are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible, so we are able to fill your spot.

Registration closes June 1, 2026

Return to the School Leaders Environmental Leadership webpage.

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