The Chesapeake Bay Trust is remembering the legacy of one of its founders, former Board, and Trustees’ Council member. Governor Harry Hughes was the inspiration, along with Dr. Torrey Brown, for the establishment of the Trust, an entity they saw necessary to provide the resources that enable community groups, schools, homeowners associations, civic associations, scout troops, etc. to take action to measurably improve local communities and ultimately, the health of the Chesapeake Bay, rivers, and streams.
“The Chesapeake Bay Trust is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Governor Hughes. Governor Hughes was the vision behind the creation of the Trust, an entity meant to help community groups on the ground, and a member of our family for the past 34 years. He will be greatly missed,” said Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
The Chesapeake Bay Trust was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1985 under Governor Hughes’ leadership and its success over three decades later is testament to his respected bipartisanship savvy. As a member of the Chesapeake Bay Trust Board of Trustees and Trustees’ Council over the past 34 years, Governor Hughes helped shaped the mission and direction of the Chesapeake Bay Trust into its successful position today, awarding over $13 million in grants in 2018.
The Chesapeake Bay Trust (www.cbtrust.org) is a nonprofit grant-making organization established by the Maryland General Assembly dedicated to improving the natural resources of Maryland and the Chesapeake region through environmental education, community engagement, and local watershed restoration. The Trust’s grantees engage hundreds of thousands of individuals annually in projects that have a measurable impact on the waterways and other natural resources of the region. The Trust is supported by the sale of the Chesapeake license plate, donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form, donations from Maryland’s online boating, fishing, and hunting license system, contributions from individuals and corporations, and partnerships with private foundations and federal, state, and local governments such as Montgomery County. The Trust has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for fourteen years: 92 percent of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.