Tom Ackerman creates opportunities for young people to understand their connection to environment by directly experiencing it. As CBF’s Vice President for Education, Tom is afforded excellent opportunities to achieve that goal, working with an incredibly talented and passionate team, conducting the most compelling programs for students, teachers, and leaders in the field. 

​

Collaboration is essential in Environmental Education, and Tom has been instrumental in the founding and direction of several key organizations including the National No Child Left Inside Coalition (and the Maryland and Virginia chapters of NCLI), as well as the Maryland Environmental Literacy Partnership and the National Advisory Panel on Environmental Literacy. Tom and his team have partnered with some of the largest school districts in the United States, establishing over a dozen systemic environmental curriculum programs. Tom is proud to serve on the Governor’s Project Green Classrooms steering committee (MD), the Chesapeake Bay Program Education Workgroup, and as a past board member of the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Educators.

​

Prior to joining CBF, Tom was a middle and high school teacher in Harford County, MD and earned Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Environmental Science and a Master’s degree in Education from the George Washington University. Tom lives in Severna Park, MD with his wife and three sons. He enjoys kayaking, camping, fishing, hiking, traveling, and any other good excuses to spend time outside with his family and friends.

​

Tom and the YES Medal were featured in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Spring 2019 Save the Bay Magazine. An electronic copy can be accessed here.