The H2O Initiative Gives Back.

The H2O Initiative is a community outreach program established by Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company (CBRC) to advocate the protection and preservation of our most precious natural resource - water.  CBRC is pledging 2% of all coffee sales annually to go back in support of organizations that are helping to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Look for the “H2O Initiative” mark on our packaging, promotional materials and sponsorships as a reminder of our commitment to a better and cleaner Chesapeake Bay!

Did you know that the Chesapeake Bay Watershed extends throughout six states (Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York)? It's hard to believe the reach extends that far, but the health of our bay affects nearly 16.6 million people and growing. In fact, the watershed’s population is projected to top 18 million by 2020. This growth in population could potentially have a larger negative impact than we are experiencing today. Now we don’t oppose growth and prosperity by any means – We just know in our hearts that if more people were better informed and made small changes in their daily lives, we could stabilize and rejuvenate the health of our regional treasure, the majestic Chesapeake Bay.

Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company is devoted to restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed by working hand in hand with grass roots organizations such as the South River Federation and Earth Echo.  South River Federation’s projects like shoreline reconstruction, stream clean-ups and educational workshops make a significant impact in our community and EarthEcho focuses on the educational aspect of the problems we face and the potential fixes for clean water sources worldwide.

The Earth Echo Water Planet Challenge

Earth Echo cofounder and CEO Philippe Cousteau remembers his grandfather Jacques telling him time and time again how water is the single most precious substance on the planet. It is not only a universal entry point to environmental issues, it is also a universal aspect of our everyday lives. Today, the health of both salt and fresh water systems is in even more of a crisis than his grandfather could have imagined.

If we want to protect our water planet for future generations we must empower young people with the knowledge, technology and tools to become tomorrow's change agents. We must inspire this new generation to understand the very real connections between their local priorities and critical fresh water issues, and to engage their friends, neighbors and communities in sustainable actions.

Earth Echo has launched the Water Planet Challenge to engage youth in water-related service-learning and education.  Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company is proud to be an early supporter of this program and is working to help develop service learning content focused on the Chesapeake Bay that will reach out and inspire students across the region to implement service learning projects in their community.  CBRC is proud to work with Earth Echo and its highly-respected partners in the Water Planet Challenge such as America's Promise Alliance, Discovery Education, National Youth Leadership Council, Planet Green and Youth Service America, to name just a few.

What steps can we take as businesses and individuals?

GET INVOLVED. We take great pride in the many events and sponsorships we take part in throughout the year.  Check with your local environmental organization for their calendar of events and sign up for a cleanup, awareness day or other opportunity to make a difference.

GIVE BACK.  Direct support of these organizations will go a long way toward helping them achieve their environmental mission.  Consider making a gift to Earth Echo, the South River Federation or another local organization.  Buy products that are local, fresh and give something back – like Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company coffees.  And encourage other businesses you support to sign on to the H2O Initiative – we’d love to hear from them.

Look to the CBRC Coffee web-site as your source for latest Chesapeake Bay Watershed news, educational forums, and commentary from folks that share our commitment to a region with “Clean Water”!