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July 6, 2026
The Taste is a celebration of our Chesapeake Bay watershed offering live music, locally-inspired eats, awards, and camaraderie. As our largest annual fundraiser, the Taste brings together like-minded corporations and conservationists within four distinct Chesapeake Bay watershed communities. As a regional event offering a small, intimate atmosphere, the Taste is a unique opportunity for you to support our critical work and enjoy an evening with others who genuinely want to make a difference in our watershed.
Every year the Alliance recognizes local leaders and champions from around the watershed. This year, we’re excited for you to meet our six award recipients who will be recognized at the Taste for their leadership and dedication to cleaner rivers and streams. The following awardees are true leaders and exemplary stewards who have made profound impacts on the Bay. Join us in congratulating them below!
Albert McCullough was a scientist, engineer, mentor, and Chesapeake Bay advocate whose legacy lives on in restored waterways and inspired lives. Al’s expertise in shoreline forensics, tidal marshes, and more led to many of the design innovations used in living shoreline designs in Maryland and across the watershed. Al passed away in November 2025, but his ingenuity, dedication, and leadership have left a lasting legacy for Chesapeake Bay coastal restoration.
We can’t wait to celebrate Al at our annual Taste: Celebrate the Chesapeake event on September 24, from 6-8 pm at The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers in Annapolis! Learn more about Al below.
Get your tickets for the Maryland Taste
Melissa Erdman (second from left) at Charvin Organic Farms
Melissa has worked closely with the Alliance and is deeply committed to putting farmers first in agricultural conservation projects in Juniata County. She helps provide meaningful solutions to farmers, supporting the Alliance’s work advancing environmental stewardship in the agricultural community.
Congrats, Melissa! We can’t wait to celebrate with you at our annual Taste: Celebrate the Chesapeake event on September 3 from 6-8 pm at The Railroad House Inn in Marietta! Learn more about Melissa’s work below.
Get your tickets for the Pennsylvania Taste
The Alliance witnessed Jenn’s tireless support through collaboration on two major projects in Richmond: a successful green street revitalization project, Fulton Green Street and the regreening of Blackwell Park. Jenn has been a real leader driving the City of Richmond and its partners in implementing the RVA Clean Water Plan in a way that grounds efforts in partnership and true community engagement.
Congrats, Jenn! We can’t wait to celebrate with you at our annual Taste: Celebrate the Chesapeake event on September 10, from 6-8 pm at Robins Nature Center at Maymont! Learn more about Jenn’s work below.
Get your tickets for the Virginia Taste
Will Avila (left) and Bill Ferrell (right)
Will and Bill have both made significant contributions to the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay through the installation and maintenance of stormwater management practices in Washington, DC. The work they have done to guide returning citizens towards careers in green infrastructure has ripple effects across not just their own teams and for the Alliance, but into the broader DC community.
Congrats, Will and Bill! We can’t wait to celebrate with you at our annual Taste: Celebrate the Chesapeake event on September 17, from 6-8 pm at The Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital! Learn more about Bill and Will’s work below.
Get your tickets for the DC Taste
Les exemplifies the spirit and impact of a Watershed Champion through his steadfast support of local governments in their efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Alliance has benefited from Les’ leadership, humility, dedication to inclusion, and transformative contributions to the Bay watershed as a member of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Local Government Leadership Workgroup.
Congrats, Les! We can’t wait to celebrate with you at our annual Taste: Celebrate the Chesapeake event on September 24, from 6-8 pm at The Atreeum at Soaring Timbers! Learn more about Les’ work below.
Thank you to all of our 2026 Taste awardees, for your dedication to a cleaner Bay. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Leave kudos for Taste Awardees
The Taste is a celebration of our Chesapeake Bay watershed, offering live music, locally-inspired eats, awards, and camaraderie. As our largest annual fundraiser, the Taste aims to bring together like-minded corporations and conservationists within three distinct Chesapeake Bay watershed communities. We hope to see you there!
Learn more and get early bird tickets before July 10!
Taste of the Chesapeake
