Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

What Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council does

Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and headquartered in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (Silver Spring / Annapolis, Maryland), with EIN 900475197. Its stated mission is to research, promote, and educate the public about conservation landscaping to protect the Chesapeake Bay, focusing on reducing polluted stormwater runoff through environmentally sensitive design, native plants, and best management practices. CCLC serves landscape architects, designers, contractors, arborists, horticulturists, nursery operators, planners, civil engineers, master gardeners/naturalists, and watershed organizations across the Mid-Atlantic region (MD, VA, PA, DC, DE, WV).

CCLC's core programmatic assets are the Eight Essential Elements of Conservation Landscaping framework (first published 2007, revised multiple times), the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) certification with Level 1 baseline, Level 2 advanced, and specialized tracks (Buffers, Shorelines, Crews, plus a CBLP-A entry-level credential and Spanish-language delivery), the biennial Turning a New Leaf Conference (held since 2006, 11th edition in Richmond, VA in 2025 with over 200 attendees), regional Field Days (20+ since 2008), the Riparian Buffer Month awareness campaign (October, with 20+ partner organizations), the A Focus on Sustainability webinar series co-presented with ELA/MELA/ELC, and the Hometown Habitat documentary. Supporting resources include the CBLP Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Manual (updated 2025) and a White Paper on Green Infrastructure Maintenance (2026). Distribution is delivered through three regional CBLP coordinators (PA-DE, DC-MD-WV, VA), the CCLC website (chesapeakelandscape.org), the certified.cblpro.org portal, and a WooCommerce apparel shop.

CCLC is a primarily volunteer-run organization with a small paid staff of approximately five (Executive Director Beth Ginter, Programs and Engagement Manager Katie Pinkham, and three regional CBLP Coordinators) and a Board of Directors with roughly 15 directors plus officers. Revenue is generated from individual donations and Conservation Champions ($75+), Community ($150+/year) and Sustaining ($500+/year) organizational partnerships, biennial conference sponsorships (Green Leaf $300 to Platinum Leaf $5,000) and registrations, CBLP training fees (undisclosed), merchandise sales, and restricted grants (e.g., Chesapeake Bay Trust G3 program, Keith Campbell Foundation). The organization holds Candid Platinum Transparency 2025, the SPUR Seal, and Maryland Nonprofit Association membership.

Name

Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

Legal name

Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council

Website

https://chesapeakelandscape.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CCLC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 that educates landscape professionals and the public about conservation landscaping to reduce Chesapeake Bay pollution, primarily through CBLP certification, biennial conferences, field days, and published best-practice frameworks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: CCLC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 900475197). The organization raises funds from individual donors, Conservation Champions ($75+ giving level), and the general public. Donations directly support education programs, outreach efforts, and conservation initiatives throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
2. Annual Membership and Partnership Programs: Community Partners pay $150+/year and Sustaining Partners pay $500+/year for organizational recognition, website listing, blog advertisement, event discounts, and CBLP training discounts (10% and 15% respectively). This provides a recurring revenue stream from the professional landscape community.
3. CBLP Certification and Training: Revenue generated from CBLP training course registration fees, certification exams, and sale of the CBLP Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Manual (free download or paid printed edition). Training is coordinated by regional staff across PA-DE, DC-MD-WV, and VA.
4. Conference and Field Day Revenue: The biennial Turning a New Leaf Conference generates revenue through attendee registration and an EcoMarketplace vendor component. Field Day sponsorships (White Oak, Dogwood, Spicebush, Milkweed tiers) provide varying revenue models depending on whether CCLC or the partner assumes financial responsibility.
5. Turning a New Leaf Conference Sponsorships: Conference sponsorships at multiple levels (Platinum Leaf $5,000, Gold Leaf $2,500, Silver Leaf $1,000, Bronze Leaf $500, Green Leaf $300) provide significant event revenue with bundled benefits including verbal recognition, logo placement, advertisement space, vendor booths, and complimentary registrations.
6. Merchandise Sales: CCLC operates an online shop selling branded apparel including sweatshirts ($35-$77.72), t-shirts ($20-$45), hats ($24-$40), and eco-friendly yard signs ($13.89-$38.97). The store sells both CCLC and CBLP branded merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CCLC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition that promotes conservation landscaping across the Chesapeake Bay watershed through professional certification (CBLP), biennial conferences (Turning a New Leaf), regional field days, training webinars, riparian buffer awareness campaigns, and standards-based educational resources. Its core deliverables are the CBLP Level 1 certification (with specialty tracks for Buffers, Stormwater, Shorelines, and Crews), the Eight Essential Elements framework, and the Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Manual. The organization also sells branded apparel and accepts donations, sponsorships, and partnership memberships to fund its mission.

Product overview

CCLC operates as a coalition offering multiple interconnected programs centered around conservation landscaping education and professional certification. The core offerings include the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification program (with Level 1 training and specialty tracks for Buffers, Stormwater, Shorelines, and Crews), the biennial Turning a New Leaf Conference, Field Days for hands-on learning, Riparian Buffer Month awareness campaigns, and the Hometown Habitat documentary. Supporting resources include the Eight Essential Elements guidelines, the Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Manual, Green Infrastructure Maintenance White Paper, and the A Focus on Sustainability Webinar Series. The organization also operates an apparel store for branded merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification: A standardized certification program for landscape contractors and professionals covering design, installation, and management of sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Includes Level 1 baseline credential and specialized tracks for buffers, stormwater, shorelines, and crews.

Products and services

• Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification Program Standardized professional certification program for landscape contractors offering Level 1 baseline credential covering design, installation, and management of sustainable landscapes with BMP inspection/verification training, plus specialized tracks for Buffers, Stormwater, Shorelines, and Crews. Includes Spanish-language training and CBLP-A entry-level credential. For landscape professionals across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• Turning a New Leaf Conference Biennial (odd-numbered years) educational conference bringing together landscape designers, contractors, horticulturists, planners, and educators to learn about conservation landscaping trends, issues, and technologies. Includes keynotes, concurrent sessions across tracks (Resilient Landscapes, Resilient Communities, Resilient Plants & Soils), EcoMarketplace vendor area, and field tours.
• Field Days Program Professional events featuring tours of conservation landscape projects in various regions, bringing together professionals to see sustainable practices in the field and network with peers. Held across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.
• Riparian Buffer Month Awareness Campaign Annual October campaign to build awareness, promote events, and fundraise for the sustainable practice of riparian buffers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Includes co-hosted events and social media amplification using #RiparianBufferMonth and #bufferbanter.
• Hometown Habitat Documentary 90-minute environmental education documentary produced in partnership with Catherine Zimmerman and Doug Tallamy, PhD, showcasing how native plants are critical to ecosystem survival and promoting conservation landscaping nationwide.
• Eight Essential Elements of Conservation Landscaping Framework Foundational guidelines establishing the eight essential elements of conservation landscaping: environmental benefit design, native plants, invasive plant management, wildlife habitat, air quality, water conservation, healthy soils, and energy conservation. Available as free PDF download and paid printed document.
• CBLP Sustainable Landscape Maintenance Manual First comprehensive resource on sustainable landscape management planning and techniques specific to the Chesapeake Bay region. Written for landscape professionals and serving as a key reference for CBLP Level 1 training. Available as free download or purchasable full-color printed version.
• White Paper on Green Infrastructure Maintenance White paper examining challenges and opportunities associated with maintaining green stormwater infrastructure throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Available as a downloadable PDF; developed with Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Hirschman Water & Environment.
• A Focus on Sustainability Webinar Series Collaborative webinar series co-presented with Ecological Landscape Alliance, Midwest Ecological Landscape Alliance, and EcoLandscape California covering topics on sustainable landscapes including soils, native plants, water management, and maintenance. Free for CCLC and ELA members.
• Scotty Scholars Scholarship Fund Scholarship program supporting individuals pursuing credentials in sustainable landscaping, stormwater management, and green infrastructure with financial assistance and mentorship. Honors Scotty Guinn Dilworth (1965-2022), founder of SG Designs. Limited to a maximum of three employees per business within a five-year period.
• CCLC & CBLP Apparel and Merchandise Store Online merchandise store selling CCLC and CBLP branded apparel including sweatshirts ($35-$77.72), t-shirts ($20-$45), hats ($24-$40), and eco-friendly yard signs ($13.89-$38.97).

Quantifiable outcome

• CBLP was piloted with 116 participants in the Washington D.C. metro area in 2016 and has grown to a multi-state program covering PA, DE, MD, DC, WV, and VA, with specialized tracks including CBLP-Buffers, CBLP-A, CBLP-Shorelines, and CBLP-Crews by 2026.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hirschman Water & EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026David Hirschman of Hirschman Water & Environment co-authored the White Paper on Green Infrastructure Maintenance with CCLC and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, funded by Chesapeake Bay Trust's G3 program. Hirschman has been a longtime CCLC contributor, receiving the Marcy Damon Award in 2019 and moderating panel discussions at multiple Turning a New Leaf conferences.
• NativeCreations Landscape ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025NativeCreations Landscape Services is a Gold Leaf Sponsor of the 2025 Turning a New Leaf Conference, supporting the event and gaining vendor booth access and recognition. The company also participated in the Danville, PA riparian buffer restoration project featured in CCLC's success stories.
• North Creek NurseriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025North Creek Nurseries is a Bronze Leaf Sponsor of the 2025 Turning a New Leaf Conference and is listed as a CCLC partner, providing native plant materials for conservation landscaping projects.
• Izel PlantsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Izel Plants is a Bronze Leaf Sponsor of the 2025 Turning a New Leaf Conference and provides native plant education content, including webinar presentations on native grasses and sedges for landscape professionals.
• VSLD (Virginia Sustainable Landscapes Design)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025VSLD is a Bronze Leaf Sponsor of the 2025 Turning a New Leaf Conference, demonstrating commitment to the conservation landscaping community and gaining visibility among CCLC's network of landscape professionals.
• Chesapeake Stormwater NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Chesapeake Stormwater Network is a Silver Leaf Sponsor of the 2025 Turning a New Leaf Conference and a partner in Riparian Buffer Month. David Wood, Executive Director, moderates stormwater panels at the conference and the Network curated the Stormwater Maintenance Resource Center in partnership with CCLC.
• James River NurseriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025James River Nurseries is a Green Leaf Sponsor of the 2025 Turning a New Leaf Conference, supporting conservation landscaping education and gaining recognition among Chesapeake Bay landscape professionals.
• Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025VASWCD is a Green Leaf Sponsor of the 2025 Turning a New Leaf Conference and a Riparian Buffer Month partner. The organization coordinated Soil and Water Conservation Districts training on green infrastructure (July 2024 article), expanding CCLC's reach into agricultural conservation networks.
• Healthy Pots Healthy PlanetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Healthy Pots Healthy Planet is a Sapling Sponsor of the 2025 Turning a New Leaf Conference, supporting CCLC's educational mission and sustainability programs.
• Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy, founded by 2021 Marcy Damon Award winner Suzanne Etgen, partnered with CCLC on the Going Deeper: Green Infrastructure Education panel at the 2025 conference. The Academy trains community leaders in sustainable landscapes and clean waters, closely aligning with CCLC's mission.
• Dominion EnergyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Elizabeth Phibbs of Dominion Energy serves as a Board Chair of CCLC, providing corporate leadership and governance expertise. Dominion Energy's involvement reflects growing corporate engagement in conservation landscaping and Chesapeake Bay restoration.
• Virginia Coastal Zone Management ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (VA DEQ) partnered with CCLC on the 2021 Turning a New Leaf conference session on meaningful collaborations in sustainable landscaping, representing state government engagement in conservation landscaping workforce development.
• Seed Your FutureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Seed Your Future, led by Executive Director Jazmin Albarran, presented at the 2025 Turning a New Leaf conference on the future of horticulture careers, addressing workforce development and connecting students to green career pathways in conservation landscaping.
• Penn State ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Penn State Extension partnered with CCLC to offer field days (Harrisburg, PA, August 2016) and is a key partner in the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional program, providing extension education infrastructure and regional coordination across Pennsylvania.
• University of Maryland Sea Grant ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016CCLC partnered with University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension to co-develop the Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) certification program, which was piloted in 2016 with 116 participants in the Washington D.C. metro area. The partnership leverages the university's research expertise and extension network to deliver scientifically grounded conservation landscaping training.
• Wetlands WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Wetlands Watch is a founding consortium partner of CBLP and co-funds the Virginia CBLP Coordinator position (Perry Verge). The organization focuses on coastal resilience and green infrastructure, aligning with CCLC's mission to expand conservation landscaping throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, particularly in Virginia.
• Penn State Extension (Elizabeth Phibbs as Board Chair)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Beth Yount from Penn State Extension serves as a Board Chair of CCLC alongside Elizabeth Phibbs from Dominion Energy, providing governance leadership and extension network access for conservation landscaping education.
• The Meadow Project (Catherine Zimmerman)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016CCLC partnered with Catherine Zimmerman of The Meadow Project and entomologist Doug Tallamy, PhD to produce the Hometown Habitat documentary. The film extends CCLC's conservation landscaping mission beyond the Chesapeake Bay to the entire country, showcasing Hometown Habitat Heroes across major U.S. watersheds.
• Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014ELA co-presents the A Focus on Sustainability Webinar Series with CCLC, MELA, and ELC. This multi-season partnership has produced 8+ seasons of webinars covering ecological landscaping topics, allowing both organizations to share knowledge and reach landscape professionals nationally and internationally.
• Midwest Ecological Landscape Alliance (MELA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014MELA co-presents the A Focus on Sustainability Webinar Series alongside CCLC, ELA, and ELC, extending the reach of conservation landscaping education beyond the Chesapeake Bay watershed to the Midwest and enabling cross-regional knowledge sharing among landscape professionals.
• EcoLandscape California (ELC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014ELC co-presents the A Focus on Sustainability Webinar Series alongside CCLC, ELA, and MELA, extending conservation landscaping education to the West Coast and enabling national reach for the webinar series.
• U.S. Botanic GardensminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008CCLC installed a Demonstration Rain Garden at the U.S. Botanic Gardens in Washington D.C. in May 2008 as part of the 'One Planet – Ours!' summer exhibition. CCLC speakers also presented at the USBG in August 2008. The partnership provided high-visibility exposure for conservation landscaping practices.
• Adkins ArboretumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Adkins Arboretum staff were the first chairs of CCLC (2003) and held the chairmanship in 2005. A memorandum of understanding gave Adkins Arboretum oversight of CCLC's financial affairs until CCLC obtained independent nonprofit status in 2009. The Arboretum continues as an active partner, hosting field days and educational events.
• Alliance for the Chesapeake BaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay chaired CCLC in 2004 and has been a consistent partner in CCLC programs including field days, the CBLP program, Riparian Buffer Month, and the White Paper on Green Infrastructure Maintenance. The Alliance co-sponsored the 2025 Turning a New Leaf conference and contributed to the 2023 conference field day at the Best of RVA.
• Chesapeake Bay FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003The Chesapeake Bay Foundation hosted the founding Conservation Landscaping Summit in July 2003 and hosted the Founding Board retreat in March 2009. CCLC's first conference was held at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The Foundation's 'Save the Bay' mission aligns closely with CCLC's conservation landscaping goals.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Chesapeake Bay Field OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Chesapeake Bay Field Office participated in the 2002-2003 discussions to form CCLC alongside Chesapeake Bay Trust, Adkins Arboretum, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, contributing to the founding coalition that created the organization.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: CBF is the largest nonprofit dedicated solely to Chesapeake Bay restoration and hosted CCLC's founding summit in 2003. Both organizations target the same watershed and overlap heavily on riparian buffers, stormwater, and conservation practitioner engagement.
• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: Founded in 1971, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is a regional nonprofit focused on Bay restoration and is one of CCLC's founding and most active partner organizations, co-chairing CCLC in 2004 and co-developing the Green Infrastructure Maintenance White Paper. It is directly comparable as a coalition-style nonprofit serving overlapping professional and watershed audiences.
• Chesapeake Stormwater Network: The Chesapeake Stormwater Network curates stormwater BMP resources across the watershed and co-developed the Stormwater Maintenance Resource Center with CCLC. Both organizations serve the same stormwater and BMP practitioner audience in the same geography.
• Wetlands Watch: Wetlands Watch is a coastal-resilience and green-infrastructure nonprofit in Virginia and a founding CBLP consortium partner co-funding CCLC's VA coordinator. It is directly comparable as a mission-adjacent nonprofit serving overlapping green-infrastructure and shoreline audiences in the Bay region.
• Ecological Landscape Alliance (ELA): ELA is a nonprofit that provides education and resources to ecological landscaping professionals nationally and is CCLC's co-host on the A Focus on Sustainability webinar series. It competes for the same sustainable-landscape practitioner audience that is the core of CCLC's CBLP program.

Broad incumbents

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: The Wildflower Center is a national leader in native-plant conservation and education, and its missions overlap directly with CCLC's native-plants and habitat content. It is an established, larger peer with broader geographic reach and similar content + professional training offerings.
• The Nature Conservancy (Maryland/D.C. Chapter): TNC is a global environmental nonprofit with significant Chesapeake Bay program activity, working on riparian buffers, native habitats, and stormwater. While much larger and broader in mandate, TNC's regional chapter activities directly overlap with CCLC's watershed-restoration focus.

Emerging players

• Midwest Ecological Landscape Alliance (MELA): MELA is a regional sustainable-landscaping professional alliance serving the Midwest, co-hosting CCLC's webinar series. It is comparable as an emerging peer focused on a specific watershed audience that competes with CCLC for national webinar and education mindshare.
• EcoLandscape California (ELC): ELC is a California-focused sustainable landscaping professional alliance and a co-host on CCLC's A Focus on Sustainability webinar series. It is comparable as an emerging regional peer targeting landscape professionals with overlapping curriculum and certification ambitions.

Regional players

• Piedmont Environmental Council: PEC is a Virginia-based conservation nonprofit active in land conservation, stream restoration, and policy advocacy in the Piedmont portion of the Chesapeake watershed. It is comparable as a regional coalition operating in adjacent geography with overlapping conservation landscaping audiences.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chesapeake-conservation-landscaping-council
• Xx.com/chesapeakeclc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChesapeakeCLC

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council