This intensive multi-week program is held on six consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., running from May 10 to June 14, 2022. Participants are expected to attend at least five of the six sessions.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Registration deadline: May 9, 2022.

Join us for CBF's adult education program, Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards, or VoiCeS, hosted in Southside Richmond, VA.

CBF created the VoiCeS program in 2004 as a way to reach out to local volunteers and their communities and create a deeper understanding of the Bay and the efforts to restore it. VoiCeS is CBF's most in-depth adult education program available to its members and the public.

The course will feature different speakers each week who are experts in their field. We will learn about a variety of topics impacting Richmond and the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed, though the course will focus on our diverse, urban environment.

VoiCeS participants are encouraged to complete 20 hours of service on a Bay-related project(s) of their choosing. Those who attend five out of six classes and complete the service component will receive CBF's designation as "Chesapeake Stewards."

TENTATIVE COURSE AGENDA:

May 10 - Welcome & Waterways

• Getting to Know Your Watershed: What we do in the James River watershed will impact the communities and environments downstream. We'll kick things off by learning about the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

May 17 - Climate Equity

• Urban Heat Islands & Trees: Amy Wentz, Southside ReLeaf - Extreme heat threatens the health of Richmond neighborhoods. How did decades of racist policies create this problem, and could planting more trees be the solution?
• RVA Green 2050: David Sale, Richmond Office of Sustainability - RVA's Climate Equity Index uncovered which neighborhoods are most vulnerable to climate change impacts. How is the city planning for more resilient and healthy communities?

May 24 - Agriculture: Virginia's Largest Industry

• Agriculture Best Management Practices: Darryl Glover, VA Department of Conservation and Recreation - Agriculture is Virginia's largest industry, which means there's big potential for pollution problems. What conservation techniques can farmers use to reduce pollution entering our waterways?
• Panel: Sowing Seeds of Hope in Community Gardens: Claudia Spurill, Seeds of Change & Dr. Leonard Githinjji, VA Cooperative Extension - Learn about the benefits of urban agriculture and how community gardens are transforming communities.

May 31 - Diverse Faces in Green Spaces

• Breaking Down Barriers at the USDA Forest Service: Melody Mobley made history as the first female, African American forester in the U.S. Forest Service – but her experiences came with many challenges. What can we learn from her life experiences?
• Cultivating the Next Generation of Urban Conservationists: Learn how Groundwork RVA provides training to youth, prepares them for successful careers, and cultivates leadership in conservation, recreation, and civic participation.

June 1 - Field Trip: Educational Boat Trip on the James River

• Join the CBF education team aboard the Baywatcher to cruise down the James River and learn about our ecosystem firsthand.

June 7 - Environmental Justice

• The Environmental Justice Movement in Virginia, Making the Case for Justice in Buckingham County: Taylor Lilley, CBF - What is environmental justice and why does it matter? Taylor Lilley will shed light on how the injustices of pollution can impact daily lives as well as her experience fighting against the Buckingham compressor station and other projects that would negatively impact the health of communities across the Bay watershed.

June 14 - Advocating for Community Needs

• Water Quality & Environmental Issues in the General Assembly: Big change can happen in the General Assembly – but how do you influence legislators' decisions? Learn about environmental issues and lobbying the General Assembly from Senator McClellan.
• Engaging with Local, Elected Leaders: You know what your community needs, but how do you convey that information to elected leaders so they can work for change? Councilmember Mike Jones will share how to effectively engage with city council.

We are excited to host an engaging course and connect like-minded folks who are excited and willing to learn from passionate experts in the Chesapeake Bay region. If you have additional questions about the class, please reach out to Gabby Troutman, Virginia Grassroots Coordinator, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 804-258-1605.

This course is free thanks to funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Forest Service through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and its funding sources. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government, or the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or its funding sources.

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