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Chesapeake Bay Trust Blog & News

Jan 25
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Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate: 2022 Year in Review

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To improve our communities and the environment, it will take each of us to do our part! Today, we look at the impact of residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland, who are doing their part to keep their communities clean, healthy, and beautiful.

Since 2012, County residents have had the opportunity to receive a rebate, or reimbursement, for installing practices that reduce stormwater runoff, reduce pollution, and improve local river health through the County’s Rain Check Rebate Program. The practices include rain barrels, cisterns, urban tree canopy, rain gardens, pavement removal, permeable pavement, and green roofs. These practices beautify the property and have additional benefits, such as:

  • installing rain barrels and cisterns reduces water use from the tap and reduces watering costs
  • planting native plants provide food and habitat for important bird and pollinator species
  • planting native trees cleans our air and provides shade, as well as food and habitat for birds and pollinators
  • removing pavement and replacing it with permeable pavement can reduce standing water on the walkway or driveway

Fiscal Year 2022 By The Numbers

158,912
Rebates Awarded
133
Applications Approved
112
Rain Barrel & Cistern Projects
129
Urban Tree Canopy Projects
18
Rain Garden Projects
21
Pavement Removal Projects
19
Permeable Pavement Projects
69,519
Sq. Ft. of Impervious Area Treated

The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment partners with the Chesapeake Bay Trust to administer this program. We are excited to announce that Fiscal Year 2022 (July 2021 to June 2022) for the Rain Check Rebate Program was another successful year with 133 approved applications, representing 299 projects, for a total rebate amount of $158,912. These projects help treat 69,519 square feet of impervious surface, a little over the size of one football field!

“

Thanks to you and for all of the support of the Rain Check Rebate Program. Not only have the Rain Check Rebate projects helped manage rainwater runoff on my property, but they have also been a great learning experience about native trees, the Chesapeake Bay, and environmental issues more broadly. My yard is also much more beautiful and habitat-friendly now for wildlife, thanks to the projects you've supported. I'm grateful.

Mary, Prince George's County Resident

The projects installed through the Rain Check Rebate Program play an important role in keeping our communities and local waterways clean and healthy by tackling the issue of stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff occurs when rainwater flows across impervious surfaces such as roofs, parking lots, and roads, that do not allow the water to soak into the ground. As it flows across these surfaces, it can pick up harmful pollutants such as bacteria from pet waste and motor oil from cars. This polluted runoff makes its way into nearby rivers and is harmful to aquatic life and can be a health hazard for people. Fast-moving and high volumes of stormwater runoff can also cause erosion of riverbanks.

Since the program’s inception, we’ve had over 1,000 approved applications, representing over 2,200 projects, for a total rebate amount of over $992,000.

Thank you to everyone that has participated in the Rain Check Rebate Program throughout the years! Your efforts help keep Prince George’s County beautiful and healthy!

The Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program is currently open and accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Learn More and Apply
Nov 10
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$7.7 Million Awarded for 36 Tree-Planting Projects in Underserved Areas Throughout Maryland.

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On Monday, October 17th, the Trust celebrated the first of many tree plantings of the Urban Tree Program at a press event that was held at the Harlem and Denison Pocket Park in Baltimore. The Urban Trees program is a new effort created by the Maryland General Assembly’s Tree Solutions Now Act of 2021 and state resources provided through the Chesapeake Bay Trust (the Trust).   The Act calls for five million trees to be planted across Maryland by 2031, with 500,000 of them targeted to urban, underserved areas.

Tree Planted at the Harlem and Denison Pocket Park in Baltimore.

Urban trees have significant benefits to human health, climate, the economy, and the environment. Yet some urban communities are severely lacking in greening, contributing to heat island effect, exacerbating asthma and other health issues, and reducing quality of life.  Providing resources through ground-up, community-based grants empowers people to own this piece of community improvement, leading to sustainability.

The Urban Trees program started with the Maryland General Assembly; it was called on to green communities. To do this the program hopes to enhance the quality of life, human health, community livability, by improving air quality and reducing the urban heat island effect, and mitigating some of the effects of climate change. Ninety million dollars per year over nine years will be distributed by the Trust to communities, neighborhoods, civic groups, schools, and others who commit to planting trees in underserved regions as defined in the legislation. Funding is reserved for urban census tracts with low median household income levels, with high unemployment, or were historically red-lined or for public housing projects.

Many projects have begun to break ground in the past couple of weeks, and many plan to do so soon. Projects such as Blue Water Baltimore (BWB) and University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) are hosting tree plantings and calling for volunteers to assist.

BWB is planting trees in the Irvington and Violetville Neighborhoods in Baltimore City. They were awarded $342,444 to plant 600 trees across four West Baltimore neighborhoods. The plantings will occur on multiple days and welcome volunteers with any skill level. To volunteer or support any of these events individuals are asked to visit https://bluewaterbaltimore.org/events/ to register. See below for dates and times.

Planting dates and times for Irvington:

  • 11/12/22 9am-12pm
  • 11/15/22 11am-2pm

Planting dates and times for Violetville:

  • 11/17/22 11am-2pm

UMB was awarded $39,289 to plant trees across their campus. They are holding a tree planting event on 11/10 from 10am – 12pm. To sign up to volunteer please visit this website https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SrzNPUx-e0CA93-2dXGC8guqiWAXukhNgq4ivS31IWBUNDVVOE1JRDhBQVZFQklCTTRKQlQ1WjBPQS4u.

To learn more about the Urban Trees program please visit https://cbtrust.org/grants/urban-trees/.

Oct 17
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Maryland’s Underserved Urban Communities to Receive $7.7 million for Heat Island Effect-Reducing Trees

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Thirty-six underserved urban communities across Maryland are about to plant 40,000 new trees, thanks to a new effort created by the Maryland General Assembly’s Tree Solutions Now Act of 2021 and state resources provided through the Chesapeake Bay Trust (the Trust). The Act calls for five million trees to be planted across Maryland by 2031, with 500,000 of them targeted to urban, underserved areas. The Trust, the distributer of funds from the Chesapeake vehicle license plate program and other sources, has long empowered local urban communities through grant-making and was tapped in the Act to serve as the administrator of the urban component.

Urban trees have significant benefits to human health, climate, the economy, and the environment. Yet some urban communities are severely lacking in greening, contributing to heat island effect,
exacerbating asthma and other health issues, and reducing quality of life. Providing resources through ground-up, community-based grants empowers people to own this piece of community improvement, leading to sustainability.

“This urban greening effort will help address both global climate change as well as environmental justice including inequities in historically disenfranchised communities,” said Senator Paul Pinsky, a sponsor of the legislation. “This work will create lasting green improvements and help to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change with every tree planted.”

Ninety million dollars per year over nine years will be distributed by the Trust to communities, neighborhoods, civic groups, schools, and others who commit to planting trees in underserved regions as defined in the legislation. Funding is reserved for urban census tracts with low median household income levels, with high unemployment, or were historically red-lined or for public housing projects.

“We are thrilled to have been able to provide the resources for this work,” said Delegate Dana Stein, another key sponsor of the legislation. “All communities deserve to have green spaces and trees to help improve quality of life.”

Studies show that trees planted in urban communities improve the physical and mental health of people within their proximity, and that increasing urban canopy can reduce asthma and respiratory-related emergencies during heat wave-related events in under-treed areas. For these reasons, many urban communities have adopted urban tree canopy goals, including Baltimore City, which has set a goal of 40% canopy by 2037.

Communities will begin planting trees this fall, concentrating on areas such as vacant lots or streets
where native trees and resources are scarce. These trees will help to reduce the urban heat island effect, filter polluted stormwater, mitigate the effect of carbon emissions, reduce energy consumption and therefore energy bills, and improve air quality. Increasing tree quantity and quality in urban areas is a cost-effective way to strengthen the health of the Chesapeake Bay, provide urban wildlife habitat, help mitigate flooding issues, and stimulate local green jobs markets enabling families to work where they live and play.

“Witnessing the work of these communities and organizations as they restore and protect their neighborhoods is a perfect reminder of the symbiotic relationship between the health of our local neighborhoods and the health of our environment and waterways.” said Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

 

View Full Press Release (includes a list of the 36 awarded projects)
Aug 22
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2022-2023 Chesapeake Conservation Corps Class Announced

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2022-2023 Chesapeake Conservation Corps Class Announced

 

(Annapolis, MD) August 16,2022–The Chesapeake Bay Trust, with the support of the Maryland Chesapeake Bay license plate as well as other sources, proudly introduces a new class of Chesapeake Conservation Corps members. The Chesapeake Conservation Corps was created with the purpose of fostering onsite training and educational opportunities for young adults interested in exploring their environmental passions in a professional space.  During their time in the Conservation Corps, members are matched with both non-profit and government host organizations and receive hands-on guidance aimed at improving local communities and protecting natural resources. Members of the Corps are given a one-year-stipend and other support by the Chesapeake Bay Trust during their time in the Corps.

“For more than a decade, the Chesapeake Conservation Corps has given young people the knowledge and skills they need to be the conservation leaders of tomorrow,” said Senator Van Hollen. “Congress has just taken a bold step to confront the accelerating harm of climate change and we are counting on graduates of the Corps to play a key role in implementing the provisions of this bill to better protect the Chesapeake Bay, our environment, and our planet. I want to congratulate this year’s graduates and the incoming class, and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish.”

The Corps has become a premier launching pad for green careers and a reliable resource for environmentally focused organizations who are recruiting the next generation of environmental professionals.  Over 300 alums have become leaders in the environmental movement as well as engaged individuals bringing a stewardship ethic to non-environmental careers.  Many of them are hired by their host organizations following their years of service.

“We applaud these young people embarking on this incredible journey today,” said Senator Sarah Elfreth, who has been appointed by the Maryland Senate President to serve on the Corps Advisory Board. “Their passion for protecting and restoring our region’s natural resources will affect so many communities and bring measurable improvements in our environment and neighborhoods.”

Today, 33 Corps members met their host organizations to learn more about their job responsibilities for the upcoming year.  During their year of service, Corps members will gain valuable on-the-job experience as they work to advance environmental conservation, K-12 education, energy efficiency programs and other climate resiliency goals, sustainable agriculture practices, and a host of other environmentally focused initiatives.

“I am so honored to serve on the Corps Advisory Board with Senator Elfreth. I have been fortunate to see this program grow over time, and the legislature continue to invest in it, including just this last session,” said Delegate Anne Healey, referring to the expansion of the Corps to further focus on climate and environmental justice via the Climate Solutions Act of 2022.

Funds for the program are provided by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, which is supported by the Chesapeake Bay vehicular license plate program (the “bay plate”) and other sources; the Maryland Department of Natural Resources; the U.S. National Park Service; and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE); among others.

“The Chesapeake Conservation Corps program is an important investment for us with our Chesapeake Gateways funding, helping accomplish our Chesapeake awareness, engagement, and access goals” said Wendy O’Sullivan, Superintendent of the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office. “The Corps members hard work and enthusiasm is a tremendous asset for our Chesapeake Gateways partner host sites.”

“BGE is committed to investing strategically to develop the workforce in our region.  Successful and innovative programs like the Corps prepare our youth for meaningful jobs in many different sectors in ways that add long-term value for the participants, our communities, and companies like ours” said Alex Núñez, Senior Vice President of BGE’s Governmental, Regulatory, and External Affairs and Chesapeake Bay Trust Trustee.

During the year, Corps participants work directly with their host organizations while also receiving extensive job trainings hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Trust as well as other service-learning opportunities including grant writing and project management.

“We believe in ripple effects here at the Trust,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “These amazing Corps members will insert themselves in communities across our region, bringing awareness of natural resources and on-the-ground work that affect layers and layers of people, improving not just the environment, but local economies, neighborhoods, and even human health as people benefit from using the outdoors.”

The 33 selected participants will work in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Talbot, Worcester Counties and Baltimore City.

About the Chesapeake Bay Trust

The Chesapeake Bay Trust (www.cbtrust.org) envisions a restored and protected Chesapeake Bay watershed and other natural resources in our area, from the Coastal Bays to the Chesapeake to the Youghiogheny River. We uniquely empower local community-based groups on the ground with the resources they need to take on a meaningful and measurable role in restoring forests, streams, rivers, bays, wildlife, and more in their own communities. Every year, the Trust empowers about 400 groups by providing grants and technical assistance to accomplish environmental education, community outreach, and local watershed restoration projects. The Trust is supported by the sale of the Chesapeake Bay license plate; donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form; donations made by hunters, fishers, and boaters in the Maryland online natural resource licensing system; donations from individuals and corporations; and partnerships with private foundations and federal, state, and local governments. The Trust has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for over two decades.  On average, 90% of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.

Chesapeake Conservations Corps 2022-2023 Corps Member Placements

Ashley Barnes, ECO City Farms
Riverdale, Prince George’s County
Ashley will serve her year at ECO City Farms where she will cultivate sustainably grown food; educate local youth and families about food, health, and the environment; and engage in hands‐on trainings and permaculture projects on the farm. Ashley has a degree in Environmental Studies from Winthrop University. She wants to help serve underrepresented communities and advocate for environmental experiences in these communities. Ashley is also interested in sustainable food, nutrition, and food diversity practices and their impacts on minority communities.

Jack Bayne, National Park Service Fort McHenry
Baltimore City
Jack graduated from McDaniel College with a degree in Environmental Studies. He is passionate about researching the effects of biodiversity loss in our ecosystems. He finds great pride in creating and restoring habitats for wildlife in his local area. During his placement at Fort McHenry, Jack will be assisting in energy conscious restoration and renovation, practicing organic lawncare and landscaping, and planning a 25‐ acre meadow restoration at the Hampton National Historic site.

Margaret “Maggie” Bennett, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
During her placement at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Chesapeake Bay Office, Maggie will support efforts in K‐12 education and early career development to develop and implement comprehensive environmental literacy programs. She will be curating career-oriented programming that provides students with an awareness of career opportunities, career training and the articulation of that programming into green jobs. Maggie brings her experience in providing youth environmental education through summer camp leadership experiences. She also has an interest in GIS mapping and has created an interactive mushroom map as one of her projects.

Eva Blockstein, Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary
Lothian, Anne Arundel County
Eva graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in Zoology and a minor in Environmental Studies. Eva is a natural nature lover and aspires to have a career as a naturalist. She has conducted ecological field work in Alaska, where she gained a new perspective and adapted new ways to reduce her environmental footprint. During her year with Jug Bay Wetlands, Eva will be planning, coordinating, and implementing projects to further their outdoor education and stewardship goals. Eva will also develop programs to address climate change.

 Michael Bonnell, Chesapeake Conservancy
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Michael first developed a love for nature as a kid doing frequent camping trips. Since then, Michael has nurtured his passion for biology and the natural world through his studies at Rowan University. His desire for service shines through him becoming an Eagle Scout and serving his local community. Michael will be with the Chesapeake Conservancy this year, serving the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership. He will contribute to many cutting-edge policies and programs to attract investments in environmental restoration and address historic needs to provide various types of open space in disadvantaged communities.

Julia Boswell, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Julia will be spending her service year at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. She will be working in habitat restoration, regenerative agriculture, environmental education, and oyster restoration. Last year, Julia took a week-long trip to the Florida Everglades with a conservation field research expedition. She fell in love with fieldwork and immersing herself in nature. The inspiration provided on this expedition lead her to fully pursue a career in conservation.

Mollie Boyd, National Aquarium in Baltimore
Baltimore City
Mollie grew up in Elkridge, MD and attended school at UNC Wilmington where she majored in Marine Biology and Environmental Science. Mollie says that growing up in the Chesapeake Bay watershed has shaped her love of the outdoors. She brings her experience working in youth environmental education and is also a certified diving instructor. While at the National Aquarium, Mollie will participate in Aquarium conservation efforts including habitat restoration, data collection on urban biodiversity and water quality of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, community engagement and stewardship activities, and youth education.

Chakya Browning, Towson University Center for STEM Excellence
Baltimore City
Chakya will be working at Towson University Center for STEM Excellence supporting a variety of environmental education initiatives by developing activities and facilitating programs designed to foster a sense of stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland’s K‐12 students. Chakya is very passionate about recycling and mitigating the problem that is single-use plastics. She plans to continue to explore environmental stewardship opportunities through her service year with the Corps.

 Morgan Buchanan, Shorerivers
Easton, Talbot County
Morgan grew up in Florida, where she became passionate about water, water quality, and science. Those passions led her to John Hopkins University where she studied Environmental Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology. Morgan’s connection with the Chesapeake Bay strengthened her desire to become a Corps Member. Now with ShoreRivers, she will be doing SAV and water quality monitoring along the Eastern Shore and supporting environmental education programs.

Natalie Buscemi, Howard County Office of Community Sustainability
Ellicott City, Howard County
Natalie will be working with the Howard County Office of Sustainability to develop new ideas, programs, and strategies to advance climate action and energy conservation. She will be conducting outreach and engaging the public at events and workshops. Natalie enjoys working with communities to improve environmental impacts and influence behavioral change. She is also keen on biodiversity and how its loss impacts our ecosystem. Natalie holds a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries from Frostburg State University.

Madeline Daugherty, Howard County Office of Community Sustainability
Ellicott City, Howard County
Madeline came into environmental studies more than halfway through her college career. Even still, she instantly knew this was the best choice for her. Madeline has interests in stormwater management, green infrastructure, and urban greening. She deeply believes in the influence our environment has on our lives and health. Madeline will be at the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability working on innovative options and solutions for stormwater management in vulnerable communities.

Wanita David, Maryland Environmental Service
Millersville, Anne Arundel County
Wanita has had a broad and diverse range of experiences in environmental sustainability including research, urban gardening, and solar energy. Ultimately, it was the topic of water pollution that had the deepest impact and sparked her interest in the environment at an early age. Wanita now holds a degree in Biological Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. She will be working with the Maryland Environmental Service this year, focusing on projects associated with stormwater planning, design, and compliance.

Laura Dennison, Audubon Naturalist Society
Chevy Chase, Montgomery County
Laura was born in Australia and moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland at an early age. Laura said being a child of two marine scientist led to her love of nature and traveling. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from St Mary’s College of Maryland. Laura hopes that the Corps will help channel her broad environmental interests into a focused career. While working with the Audubon Naturalist Society Laura will be supporting restoration efforts, conducting habitat surveys, and wildlife monitoring.  She will also be engaging the public on issues of conservation and environmental quality in the region.

Caroline Emeric, National Park Service Fort McHenry
Baltimore City
Caroline will be spending her service year working with the National Park Service at Fort McHenry. She will be implementing climate change education, developing interpretative signage, and experimenting with mapping and GIS. Caroline is an avid outdoorswoman with extensive experience hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing. She studied Biology at College of William and Mary and frequently draws inspiration from the rich local habitat and diversity of species in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Peter Fath, The Community Ecology Institute
Columbia, Howard County
Peter holds degrees in Geographical Sciences from University of Maryland College Park. While in school, Peter took classes focused on the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem where he learned about the interactions between science and public policy. This experience brought him closer to his passion to work in outreach and education programming, specifically, food and waste behavior. Peter will be serving at The Community Ecology Institute. Here he will support community-based programs that weave together educational, health, equity, and environmental practices and outcomes. He will also be engaging the public through community garden and restoration initiatives.

Johanna Guardadoo, Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Chesapeake & Coastal Service
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Johanna graduated from Roger Williams University with a degree in International Relations. Being a first-generation student and college graduate led her to think about environmental issues on a global scale. As a result, Johanna developed a passion for studying the impacts of climate change on ice caps and glaciers and that influence on rising sea levels across the world. This year she will be working with Maryland DNR to support science communication, engagement, and outreach. She will also be involved in direct community engagement on complex issues supporting environmental education and climate communications.

Sushanth Gupta, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Sushanth found a passion for sustainable agriculture volunteering at the University of Maryland Terp Farm after changing his major to Agricultural and Resource Economics. Since his studies, Sushanth has decided to focus his efforts on helping to execute local change. He believes small scale work can be very impactful and often easier to implement and make a difference. Sushanth will be serving with Maryland DNR assisting with mussel restoration initiatives. He will conduct field surveys, collect data, help with the operation of hatchery facilities, and develop new outreach material to highlight conservation efforts for stakeholders.

Owen Keys, Anne Arundel Community College
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Owen will be completing his service year at Anne Arundel Community College working at the Environmental Center. He will be conducting water quality monitoring; participating in field and laboratory work measuring bacteria and nutrient levels; and conducting horseshoe crab surveys and molecular studies. Owen traces his passion for the natural world to his early childhood interests in crabs, oysters, fishes, and jellyfishes. These early immersions carried Owen to Stevenson University where he studied Environmental Science and Chesapeake Bay Ecology.

Kacie Larsen, Lower Shore Land Trust
Snow Hill, Worcester County
During her placement at Lower Shore Land Trust, Kacie will serve as an Outreach Coordinator and support education, outreach and communications for restoration and land protection activities. She will participate in various restoration activities, including pollinator meadows and rain barrel workshops. Kacie holds a degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from University of Utah. She is particularly interested in marine conservation and has spent time in Greece conducting marine mammal research. Kacie is also a certified open water SCUBA instructor.

James Oliver Lee, University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center
College Park, Prince George’s County
James is a well-traveled individual who loves backpacking. Throughout his youth he has spent time in Bulgaria, Switzerland, Colombia, and France. He holds a degree in Political Science and Anthropology from University College Utrecht in the Netherlands. At the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, James will work with communities on actions that will contribute to their increased sustainability. He will also develop online course materials and real-world case studies.

Imani Makell, Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center
Millersville, Anne Arundel County
Imani will be working at Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center where she will be teaching students and adults about the environment, developing activities and materials to support curriculum, and engaging in ongoing restoration projects while networking with other environmental organizations. Imani is a strong believer in community engagement and its impact on youth. She also has interest in watershed restoration projects.

Grace Mayer, American Chestnut Land Trust
Prince Frederick, Calvert County
Grace holds two degrees in Dance and Geographic Science from James Madison University. During her time in college, Grace was able to find ways to combine her love for creativity with her love for the environment when she involved herself in GIS and cartography. She will spend her year with American Chestnut Land Trust leading volunteer groups in various land management activities including invasive species removal, meadow establishment, hiking trail maintenance, property monitoring, and forest and wildlife diversity surveys.

 Emily O’Connell, Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center
Millersville, Anne Arundel County
Emily grew up with nature in the mountains of North Carolina. After moving near Baltimore, Emily gained a new perspective on the ecosystem and the effects of human development, climate change, and habitat loss. This perspective led her to pursue a career in wildlife rehabilitation and restoration. During her time at Arlington Echo, she will be teaching students and adults about the environment, developing activities and materials to support curriculum, and engaging in ongoing restoration projects while networking with other environmental organizations.

 Kassandra Patrick, American Chestnut Land Trust
Prince Frederick, Calvert County
During her year Kassandra will manage the daily operations of a one‐acre sustainable agriculture farm and support farm‐related community outreach at the American Chestnut Land Trust. She will also help organize community conservation action groups. Kassandra grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where she developed an early love for the outdoor recreation. She studied Environmental and Sustainability at Cornell University. Kassandra recalls witnessing a catastrophic oil spill on the news and using that experience to drive her into getting involved in water quality research and water pollution mitigation.

Rachel Pitsenberger, The Nature Conservancy
Bethesda, Montgomery County
Rachel’s passion for the environment culminated at Georgetown University, where she received her degree in Biology and minored in Environmental Studies and welcomed the opportunity to explore

classes in ecology, plant biology, and conservation biology. Rachel is also an advocate for equitable access to clean, healthy, and safe environments and outdoor spaces for underserved communities. She will be serving her year at The Nature Conservancy, helping with native plantings, invasive species control, trail maintenance, forest management, and ecological restoration.

Simon Sauvageau, The Community Ecology Institute
Columbia, Howard County
During his year in the Corps Simon will work with The Community Ecology to develop community‐based programs that weave together educational, health, equity, and environmental practices and outcomes. He will also help to support community gardening initiatives. Simon is interested in urban ecology and studied Environmental Science at Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania. Simon served in a leadership role in his sustainable housing community where he learned sustainability reaches far beyond just environmental considerations and must intersect with social and emotional aspects of life to be successful.

Juliana Schifferes, Global Health and Education Projects, Inc.
Riverdale, Prince George’s County
Working with the Global Health and Education Projects this year, Juliana will serve as the Digital Environment Fellow. She will be responsible for digitalizing the outreach, engagement, and education of residents through digital story telling engaging a cross‐generation of signature program participants. Juliana is especially interested in community engagement work within environmental restoration practices. She studied Political Science at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She hopes the Corps experience will help to propel her into a future Master of Public Administration.

Fana Scott, Washington College Center for Environment & Society
Chestertown, Kent County
Fana grew her passion for adventure and the outdoors by joining the Student Conservation Association in high school and has since been to several locations across the U.S., involving herself in conservation field work. She expanded on this in college, earning a bachelor’s in Biology and Environmental Studies. Fana is also a certified EMT. During her time at Washington College Center for the Environment & Society, she will be conducting migratory bird field studies and planning environmental education programs for students and local community members.

Morgan Shippy, Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Morgan earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowie State University in Biology. During her time in college, Morgan learned about how important wetlands are to our local ecosystem in Maryland. This knowledge fuels her passion to preserve wetlands and mitigate destruction of this habitat. She will spend her year with Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park supporting the environmental education department. She will deliver programs to local school-aged youth to establish a sense of stewardship an encourage environmental literacy.

 Matthew Swanton, Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Matthew will spend his year in the Corps with Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park. He will be involved in grade school classroom visits, environmental education curricula development, and work with a suite of hands‐on, experiential programs. Matthew earned his degree in Environmental Studies at Washington College. He is passionate about combating litter and completed his Senior Capstone Experience project on the impact of microplastics on soil ecosystems.

Brady Waters, Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Brady grew up near the Chesapeake Bay in Deal, Maryland and learned to value and appreciate the natural resources presented to him at an early age. This early appreciation propelled him into an Environmental Studies degree from St. Mary’s College and pursuit of a career in preservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s natural resources. Brady started a fishing club in college furthering his interest in water quality. He will be working with Anne Arundel County Public Works on Education & Outreach, and participate in grants management, restoration project development, water quality monitoring, and watershed modeling and analysis.

Danielle Wendt, National Wildlife Federation
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
During her year at the National Wildlife Federation, Danielle will help develop and execute new and existing nature‐based projects through a combination of environmental restoration, climate resiliency, community engagement and education work—all with an equity lens. Danielle is a graduate of McDaniel College and earned degrees in English and Environmental Studies. She has found ways to combine the two interests through environmental storytelling and community engagement. Danielle sees her skillset as one that can help her uplift underrepresented voices.

Katerina Whitman, Lower Shore Land Trust
Annapolis, Anne Arundel County
Katerina studied Environmental and Natural Resources with a concentration in Conservation Biology at Clemson University. She is particularly passionate about climate change and its impact on wildlife behavior and habitats. While at Lower Shore Land Trust this year, Katerina will serve as the Restoration Coordinator. She will work on habitat and water quality projects ranging from residential scale, congregation lands, and larger landscape-scale projects. She will also be involved in tree planting and coordinating maintenance and management activities of current LSLT projects.

Jul 19
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Just how much is a hospital green space worth?

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NEWS PROVIDED BY
Nature Sacred
First of its kind calculator shows financial impact of nature spaces in mitigating burnout-related costs in hospitals

ANNAPOLIS, MD — In the midst of a quest for measures to address the epidemic of burnout among nurses and physicians, and at the same time, improve patient care, new evidence of the impact of hospital green spaces has emerged. A newly-published paper authored by Sean M. Murphy, PhD, health economist and Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, reports on the development of a first ever means to calculate the financial impact of usable on-campus green spaces.

The paper was published by Nature Sacred, an organization that supports the creation of contemplative green spaces, with funding support from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

“While the scientific evidence of nature’s influence on various aspects of health and wellbeing on an individual and community level is well-documented and growing, until now, no one had measured the implications in terms of dollars and cents,” Nature Sacred CEO Alden Stoner said. “This is something many C Suite health care executives have been asking for; now, we have an answer.”

“In short, we knew nature spaces had an outsized impact on individual and community health, now there is evidence that they have an outsized impact on improving the bottom line for healthcare campuses.”

A dynamic companion calculator built using the budget impact tool described in the paper is openly available for any hospital to use. It requires a few key inputs related to nurse and physician employment figures and an estimated budget (figure) for creating and maintaining a green space. The resulting calculation is an estimate of how much the hospital could potentially offset in burnout-related expenses. Two sample scenarios included in the paper illustrate the applicability of the calculator in both a small and large hospital setting.

According to Dr. Murphy, there were three areas where cost-offsets associated with a biophilic intervention would potentially be the greatest: in mitigating turnover, absences and errors among nurses and physicians.

“The science on the value of green spaces to physical and mental human health is clear,” said Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  “This work is key in taking this science to the next step: Evaluating the economic implications of that health impact.  The analysis will encourage institutions to weave green spaces into their campus designs at great return on investment.”

Adam Ortiz, Regional Administrator for EPA Mid-Atlantic Region, too, recognizes the potential impact of the paper and calculator. “Now more than ever, we know just how valuable our hospital and healthcare workers are,” said Ortiz.  “Identifying ways to implement accessible green spaces for them is vital – to alleviate burnout and aiding in their own health and wellness as they continue to care for their patients.  This tool will have far-reaching benefits to the hospital community.”

About Nature Sacred

Nature Sacred exists to inspire, inform and guide communities in the creation of public green spaces—called Sacred Places—designed to improve mental health, unify communities and engender peace. For over 25 years, Nature Sacred has partnered with more than 100 communities across the country to infuse nearby nature into places where healing is often needed most: distressed urban neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, prisons and more. Through a collaborative, community-led process and an evidence-based design model, each Sacred Place is bonded together by a common goal: to reconnect people with nature in ways that foster mindful reflection, restore mental health and strengthen communities. As each community imagines its own space, the design becomes a unique reflection of the community’s culture, story and place—making it inherently sacred to them. Learn about our model, our approach and our Sacred Places: naturesacred.org

About the Chesapeake Bay Trust

The Chesapeake Bay Trust (www.cbtrust.org) envisions a restored and protected Chesapeake Bay watershed and other natural resources. We empower local community-based groups on the ground with the resources they need to take on a meaningful and measurable role in restoring forests, streams, rivers, bays, wildlife, and more in their own communities. Every year, the Trust empowers about 400 groups by providing grants and technical assistance to accomplish environmental education, community outreach, and local watershed restoration projects. The Trust is supported by the sale of the Chesapeake Bay license plate; donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form; donations made by hunters, fishers, and boaters in the Maryland online natural resource licensing system; donations from individuals and corporations; and partnerships with private foundations and federal, state, and local governments. The Trust has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for over two decades.  On average, 90% of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.

Jul 13
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Plastic Free July

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Plastic Free July is a global movement that challenges people to be an active participant in the solution to plastic pollution. It encourages people to use less single use plastics in their everyday use whether its at home, work, school, or at local shops and cafes.

Here are some easy ways you can participate during July and even ways to change your overall lifestyle to make it plastic free.

BYO Straw

  • When at a restaurant, café, or anywhere that serves drinks decline the plastic straws provided make a plastic free choice of bringing your own reusable alternative such as metal and silicone straws.

BYO Bag

  • When shopping, bring your own reusable shopping bag to carry your items instead of using the plastic bags provided. Reusable bags are mainly used for grocery shopping, but they can apply to all shopping trips. There are many different types of reusable bags made from different types of material. Look into the different options to see which would work best for your needs! We have some convenient canvas totes available at shopchesapeakebaytrust.org

Fresh Produce and Meats

  • Avoid plastic packaging when buying fresh fruits, veggies, meats, and deli items. The best way to do this is to avoid pre-packaged foods. When opting for the loose produce choose to pack it in a reusable produce bag rather than the plastic bags provided by the store. When shopping for meat, fish and deli products opt to shop at a local butcher that offers unpackaged items and bring your own reusable container along with you to package them yourself.

BYO Bottle

  • Avoid using disposable, single-use, plastic water bottles and instead opt for a reusable one when available. There are many environmentally friendly options such as stainless steel, glass, and safe aluminum. If you forget your bottle at home don’t fret, just refill a plastic bottle as needed and turn it into a multi-use product. Check out some of our stainless steel drinkware HERE!

The Four R’s

  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse. Start by reducing what you buy. Before you buy something be sure you really need it or consider if there is a more sustainable alternative such as repurposing a similar item or shopping secondhand. If there is no other alternative to buying a new plastic container or item, try and make the most out of it and use it as many times as possible before properly disposing of it. Learn more about recycling in your area and to be sure to recycle correctly. When the option arises try to purchase products made from recycled materials. Lastly, but certainly not least, REFUSE. If offered, refuse single-use plastic by asking if they have an eco-friendlier option (and if not, that’s why you BYO!).

Going plastic free can seem tough at first but by learning simple ways to get started and finding what works best for you being plastic free can become a lifestyle and not just a yearly month-long challenge.

Read more about what you can do to be plastic free at plasticfreejuly.org

Read about how our own President, Jana Davis, went plastic free in this article from the Capital Gazette.

See what our grantees and friends are doing to go plastic free this July!

Jul 06
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Chesapeake Bay Trust Awards – Fiscal Year 2023

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The Chesapeake Bay Trust (Trust) has awarded over $130 million through more than 14,000 awards to ensure cleaner, greener, healthier Chesapeake, Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny watersheds since 1985. The Trust has a rigorous grant review process: every proposal submitted over $5,000 is sent to members of a Technical Review Committee (TRC) and is reviewed and scored quantitatively by at least three external individuals who are experts in their fields. The Board of Trustees meets 4 times per year to review and approve all TRC recommended proposals. Proposals for $5,000 or less are reviewed by two or more technical experts on the Chesapeake Bay Trust program team. The award list will be updated after each board meeting. Reach out to the designated program officer for more details.

August 2022

Anne Arundel County Community Tree Planting Grant Program

This program provides small community-based grants to help communities and organizations increase the number trees and tree canopy in neighborhoods, parks, and communities. For information about this grant program, click here.

Asbury Broadneck United Methodist Church: for youth to install 56 red maple trees at a historic African American church. This award is supported at $5,000 with $2,500 from this program and $2,500 from the Trust’s Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant Program. $5,000.

Carrington Woods Homeowners Association: for the planting of five (5) native trees in the forest conservation area of Carrington Woods in Severn, Maryland. Funding is for the purchase of trees and associated costs for supplies, such as mulch and tree water bags. $2,500.

Tidewater Colony Open Space Association: for native tree planting and invasive species removal in the Tidewater Colony community. $2,500.

Chesapeake Bay Program Goal Implementation Team Project Support Funding Program

This program is a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust which is designed to invite entities experienced in various aspects of fisheries, watershed science and policy, watershed stewardship, outreach and training, climate resilience, submerged aquatic vegetation (sav), and other watershed issues to submit proposals to advance specific outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. For more information about this grant program click here.

Calm Waters Group: for the completion of Scope #3: Equitable Grant Funding in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. $74,500.

Chesapeake Environmental Communications: for completion of Scope #7: A Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay: Phase II. $79,800.

Environmental Policy Innovation Center (fiscal sponsor: Sand County Foundation): for completion of Scope #5: Strategy Development for Innovative Finance of Riparian Forest Buffer Programs. $69,203.

Innovate!, Inc.: for the completion of Scope #1: Chesapeake Healthy Watersheds Assessment 2.0. $84,821.

Skeo Solutions, Inc.: for completion of Scope #10: Updating the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership (CCP) Priority Habitat Dataset of the Chesapeake Conservation Atlas: A Scoping Project. $44,960.

Skeo Solutions, Inc.: for the completion of Scope #2: Partnership-Building and Identification of Collaborative Tidal Marsh Adaptation Projects. $74,977.

Tetra Tech, Inc.: for completion of Scope #12: Data Review and Development of Multi-Metric Stream Health Indicators. $75,000.

The Nature Conservancy: for completion of Scope #4: Updating the Chesapeake Bay Fish Passage Prioritization Tool. $60,651.

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science: for completion of Scope #9: A Population Simulation Model for Blue Crab Stock Assessment Performance Evaluation. $79,999.

University of Maryland College Park: for completion of Scope #6: Tree Canopy Funding and Policy Roundtable. $64,909.

Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant Program

This program is designed to engage Maryland residents in activities that enhance communities, engage residents, and improve natural resources by funding small-scale activities such as tree plantings, rain gardens, and community cleanups, among others. For information about this grant program click here.

IMAAM, Inc.: for a rain garden, webinars, and educational outings to engage Muslim youth and other Mosque members. $4,935.

Islamic Community Center of Laurel: for a pollinator garden, education on native plants, and a nature outing at Riverfront Park. $4,734.

MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital: for a healing pollinator garden in a courtyard accessible to staff, patients, and visitors. $4,964.

Saint Camillus Catholic Church: for two hillside plantings to reduce stormwater runoff and engage the church community in faith-based stewardship. $4,985.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church: for nature walks and native plant giveaways, including at the Emancipation Day Diabetes 5K race. $4,640.

D.C. Donation and Reuse: Zero Waste Act Grant Program

This program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment which seeks to increase diversion of reusable material, through programs, services, outreach, and education. The goals of this program are to provide funding to projects that reduce needless waste and increase diversion of reusable material, including edible food, from landfills and incineration through donation or reuse. For information about this award program, click here.

A Wider Circle: for the redistribution of furniture items that would otherwise go into the waste stream. $8,500.

Common Good City Farm: for preservation and fix-it workshops for D.C. residents. $10,000.

Community Forklift: for an outreach campaign focused on building material waste reduction. $10,000.

Frontline Gig, Inc: for an assessment estimating material reuse and estimating reuse diversion potential. $7,000.

ShopReuse LLC: for the reduction of construction materials in landfills and redistribution of supplies to BIPOC. $9,892.

The Fresh Food FactoryMarket: for the adoption of sustainability practices that will decrease the organization’s contributions to the waste stream. $10,000.

The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command: for increased capacity to store donated food. $2,500.

Three Part Harmony Farm: for the increased capacity of a Ward 5 off the grid farm. $6,371.

D.C. Urban Agriculture Small Award Program

The District of Columbia Urban Agriculture Small Grants Program is a partnership between the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment Office of Urban Agriculture and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The goals of this program are to support increased operations of food production and distribution at urban farms and to advance strategies to support the success of agriculture businesses for socially disadvantaged farmers. For information about this grant program, click here.

Bridges Public Charter School: for a produce wash station, mobile mini-kitchen and greenhouse advancement for the Healthy Harvest Project at Bridges Public Charter School. $9,350.

Children of Mine: for increasing production and enhancing the efficiency of an existing eleven thousand square foot Urban Farm in the Anacostia neighborhood. $9,705.

City Blossoms: for construction of the Youth Garden at the Farm at Fort Stanton. $10,000.

Common Good City Farm: for creation of an equitable pricing point of sale system, to provide essential infrastructure to the pay-what-you-can Farm Stand. $8,804.

Housing Help Plus: for creating two biodynamic grape vineyard sites in Congress Heights and Fort Dupont Park neighborhoods that will be used as a teaching platform to exhibit organic and biodynamic farming practices to the entire community. $10,000.

My Seniors Keeper Foundation: for replicating two scalable vertical growing design and methodologies, and installation of a solar powered pavilion. $9,882.

Sovereign EarthWorks: for supporting operational costs at Sovereign EarthWorks. $10,000.

The Nicholson Project: for the renovation of farm workspace and expanding the distribution capacity to serve neighbors in Ward 7. $10,000.

Sponsorship Program

This program aims to support events that will increase awareness or knowledge on issues pertaining to restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay region natural resources and/or promote the Trust’s major sources of revenue. For information about this program click here.

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB): for the support of the 2022 CRAB Cup, an annual fundraiser to support accessible boating. $500.

November 2022

Capacity Building

The Capacity Building Initiative (CBI) is a joint initiative of the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Chesapeake Bay Funders Network. The Capacity Building Grant Program is designed to increase the effectiveness of organizations that work at the nexus of natural resource and community health issues, within the Chesapeake Bay, Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny River watersheds by addressing organizational capacity needs. For information about this grant program click here.

Akiima Price Consulting: to develop the Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative into a high functioning Thrive network. $97,000.

Chesapeake Bay Goal Implementation Team Project Support

Goal Implementation Team Project Support Program is a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. This program is designed to invite entities experienced in various aspects of fisheries, watershed science and policy, watershed stewardship, outreach and training, climate resilience, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), and other watershed issues to submit proposals to advance specific outcomes of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. For information about this grant program click here.

Trout Unlimited – National: for completion of Scope #8: Facilitating Brook Trout Outcome Attainability through Coordination with CBP Jurisdictions and Partners. $80,000.

Community Engagement and Restoration

The Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant Program is designed to engage Maryland residents in activities that enhance communities, engage residents, and improve natural resources. This program funds small-scale activities such as tree plantings, rain gardens, stream cleanups, and storm drain stenciling, among others. For more information about this grant program, click here.

Johns Hopkins Medicine – Bayview Community Psychiatry: to install a therapeutic pollinator garden to engage patients and staff and improve natural resources. $4,997.

Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy: for a sensory garden that will support mindfulness in nature programming at Belle Grove Elementary School and the Judy Center. $3,918.

City of Taneytown: for a two-acre pollinator garden at Bollinger Park, to be planted by students and community volunteers. $5,000.

Pride of Baltimore, Inc.: to support four free sails with educational environmental programming along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail to engage underserved Baltimore communities. $5,000.

Town of Boonsboro: for the planting of 200 trees on public and private lands, including Shafer Park. $2,264.

Gardens of Connection: for a sensory native garden at Brooklyn Park Library with educational and meditative elements that promote connection with nature. $2,646.

Chinese American Parent Association of Howard County: to increase awareness of the connection between the environment, outdoor activities, and mental health among the Asian Community, through gardening, local sustainable food sources education and engagement, and community clean-ups. $4,979.

District of Columbia Community Stormwater Solutions

The Community Stormwater Solutions Grant Program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment. This program provides funding for innovative, community-oriented and –inspired projects, aimed at improving water quality in the District of Columbia, reducing litter, and raising awareness about what we can do to restore our rivers, streams, and parks. For more information about this program, click here.

Right Directions: for a water quality monitoring and litter clean-up program with at-risk youth from the Washington Highlands community. $30,000.

Urban Learning and Teaching Center: for a youth engagement program focused on environmental justice issues. $25,000.

My Seniors Keeper Foundation, Inc: for a green workforce training of residents within Ward 7 as well as returning citizens and veterans on how to design, install and maintain green infrastructure projects $30,000.

The Green Scheme: for the expansion of the Ward 8 Water Watchers (W8WW) Ambassadors program to prepare residents to actively participate in planning for the restoration of Oxon Run and Oxon Run Park. $32,028.

Friends of Anacostia Park: for a workforce development program that trains returning and Ward 7 and 8 residents to lead community-led watershed revitalization in Anacostia Park. $35,000.

Capital Rowing Club: for the Row and Clean the Anacostia (RACA) Project to increase access to rowing and organize workshops on cleaning up and protecting rivers for the disabled community and students from economically-challenged schools. $34,677.

Anacostia Watershed Society: for support of the Mussel Power program to engage DC Students and community members in mussel restoration. $34,000.

After-School All-Stars DC: for 50 middle school students to investigate the Oxon Run and Anacostia Watersheds and develop calls to action based on their issue investigations. $35,000.

Ward 8 Woods Conservancy: for removal of trash and invasive vines through the Park Steward program, which employs Ward 8 residents facing barriers to employment. $34,755.

Homes for Hope Inc: for a water conservation and watershed education program called Let it Rain! $30,276.

Outdoor Learning Network Initiative

The Outdoor Learning Network Initiative is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust working closely with the Chesapeake Bay Program Education Workgroup. The goal of this initiative is to advance environmental literacy at the district level by establishing local networks comprised of school districts and organizations who are committed to partnering and working collectively to embed environmental education into the school system long-term. For information about this program, click here.

Virginia Association for Environmental Education: for the advancement of environmental literacy through the expansion and enhancement of the Virginia Environmental Literacy Network. $50,000.

Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit 19: for the advancement of environmental literacy through the creation of a state network of regional hubs in Pennsylvania. $50,000.

Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE): for the advancement of environmental literacy through the expansion and enhancement of the Maryland Environmental Literacy Advisory Network (MELAN). $50,000.

Delaware Division of Parks & Recreation: for the advancement of environmental literacy through the expansion and enhancement of the Delaware Environmental Literacy & Communities in Nature (ELitCIN) Network $50,000.

Outreach and Restoration

This program encourages outreach and community engagement activities that increase stewardship ethic of natural resources and on-the-ground restoration activities that demonstrate restoration techniques and engage Maryland citizens in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. For information about this grant program click here.

University of Maryland: for the education and support of homeowners with County-monitored rain gardens to ensure proper care and maintenance. $17,475.

Howard EcoWorks: for the installation of trees and conservation landscapes in underserved urban areas by the EcoWorks green job program. $56,344.

Delmarva Public Media, Salisbury University: for the “No, I Know Podcast,” to highlight community-centric restoration efforts throughout the Maryland Bay watershed region. $13,188.

Salisbury University – Delmarva Public Radio: for a radio program covering the history, challenges, and restoration efforts underway within the Wicomico River Watershed. $18,394.

Adkins Arboretum: for educating and empowering HOA members to advocate for greener landscaping practices. $29,575.

Izaak Walton League of America (The): for the Salt Watch program to distribute test kits, collect readings, and provide outreach to local businesses. $29,994.

Baltimore Green Space: for the restoration of Fairwood Forrest through invasives removal and native plantings. $75,000.

Patterson Park Audubon Center/Audubon Mid-Atlantic: for educational programming and leadership opportunities for Bird Ambassadors. $30,000.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for the design and implementation of 10 learning stations to accompany stream monitoring sites. $29,413.

NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries: for two BioBlitz events to collect data on Mallows Bay. $7,489.

Anacostia Riverkeeper: for building a team of volunteer water quality monitors. $28,135.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for the installation of a bioswale and rain garden. $35,842.

North Point State Park, Maryland Park Service, Department of Natural Resources: for a litter reduction campaign. $40,000.

Towson Presbyterian Church: for the installation of two rain gardens. $74,417.

Cathedral of the Incarnation: for the installation of two rain gardens. $30,928.

Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding: for installation of water quality components and educational signage. $74,769.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway, Inc.: for knowledge building around conductivity and hands-on restoration activities. $30,000.

University of Maryland: for phase 4.0 of the SM Residential Action Framework and Outreach Campaign. $29,999.

The Nature Conservancy: for the Witness Trees project to combine public art and native plantings. $42,382.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for a rain garden and conservation planting at Parish Landing Marina. $28,683.

Smithsonian Institution: for establishing a community science program to collect and analyze photographs of oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. $27,943.

Lower Shore Land Trust: for the installation of several small-scale restoration practices at congregations. $58,818.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for establishing new Green Teams and supporting existing Green Teams with planning and Action Kits. $27,474.

Harford Land Trust, Inc.: for engaging landowners about the benefits of converting a portion of their yards to natural spaces. $23,221.

University of Maryland College Park: for an assessment of septic system owners that will determine priority behaviors, barriers, and benefits to be used in future social marketing campaigns. $24,802.

Greater Remington Improvement Association: for a public art installation that visualizes “lost” underground streams. $30,000.

Howard County Conservancy, Inc.: for the creation of a vernal pool, along with outreach and educational activities. $57,475.

University of Maryland College Park: for deicing salt stewardship education. $18,362.

Gunpowder Valley Conservancy: for installing stormwater best management practices and an outreach campaign. $74,050.

Blue Water Baltimore: for water-based engagement events that build stewardship of the watershed. $27,890.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for establishing new Green Teams and supporting existing Green Teams with planning and Action Kits. $18,326.

Clean Water Fund: for education and demonstration of septic tank landscaping. $17,193.

Blue Water Baltimore: for opening 70 tree beds and planting 100 trees to improve water quality and support revitalization in the Oliver neighborhood. $41,631.

Civic Works, Inc.: for a Community Landscape Training program for youth and placement with landscape employers. $29,700.

St. Gabriel Catholic Church: for installation of three micro-bioretention facilities, native plants, and educational workshops and signage. $74,067.

Through Piscataway Eyes TPE Inc.: for the removal of 3,000 pounds of invasive blue catfish and northern snakeheads from the Mattawomen Creek and providing sustenance to food-insecure tribal members. $15,980.

Sponsorship

The Sponsorship Program is designed to support events that will increase awareness or knowledge among event participants about issues pertaining to restoration and protection of the natural resources of the Chesapeake and/or Maryland’s other watersheds. The Trust will also entertain requests that promote the following major sources of revenue for the Trust: 1) the “Treasure the Chesapeake” license plate program; 2) the Chesapeake and Endangered Species Tax Check-off on the Maryland State income tax form; and 3) the Maryland Outdoor Recreation and Clean Water Fund. For information about this program, click here.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: for support of the Chesapeake Watershed Forum, designed to empower local action towards clean water. $5,000.

Sultana Education Foundation: for a presentation on aquaculture with a focus on engaging underrepresented communities, at the 2022 Downrigging Festival. $500.

Maryland Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers: for a conference that brings professionals together on stormwater management and building resiliency in a changing environment. $500.

Veteran's Engagement

The Veteran’s Engagement Mini Grant Program is designed to support veteran’s groups and organizations engaging veteran’s groups as they provide healing and therapeutic services, outdoor recreation, community engagement, and green jobs training. Funding for this program is in part supported by the Healing, Hunting, and Fishing Fund through the online boating, fishing, and hunting license and registration site at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. For more information about this program, click here.

TALMAR Gardens & Horticultural Therapy Center: for the installation of accessible agricultural features by and for veterans. $5,000.

Catfish for Heroes: for Rockfish fishing trips for veterans and first responders. $4,948.

Friends of the Patapsco Valley State Park: for camping supplies to increase the accessibility for disabled veterans to the Hilton and Hollofield campsites. $4,988.

Watershed Assistance

The Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Maryland Department of the Environment welcome requests from local governments and non-profit organizations for assistance with the earliest phases of watershed restoration projects. This program will support watershed restoration project design assistance, watershed planning, and programmatic development associated with protection and restoration programs and projects that lead to improved water quality in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the Maryland portion of the Youghiogheny watershed, and the Maryland Coastal Bays. For more information about this program, click here.

County Commissioners of Caroline County: for design of the Pealiquor Road stormwater management and wetlands project. $83,550.

Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church: for the design of a rain garden, conservation landscaping, a tree planting, and several cistern practices . $75,005.

Blue Water Baltimore: for design of stormwater practices at Har Sinai – Oheb Shalom. $80,000.

Fishing Creek Farm HOA: for design of the Southbreeze Community living shoreline project. $80,000.

Town of Berlin: for design of the Abbey Lane, Westminster Drive and Upshur Lane submerged gravel wetland project. $22,000.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for design of the Southdown Shores step pool storm conveyance project. $80,000.

St. James Development Corporation: for design of stormwater management practices. $65,000.

Cathedral of the Incarnation: for design of bioretention facilities. $28,100.

GeN’xt Ministries Inc: for the design of stormwater management projects including bioretention, conservation landscaping, and tree planting. $45,000.

Carroll Soil Conservation District: for design of the unnamed tributary to Meadow Branch wetland restoration project and agricultural best management practices. $115,500.

Neighborhood Design Center: for development of the Frenchman’s Creek stormwater management plan. $37,912.

Harford Soil Conservation District: for design of the unnamed tributary to Falling Branch stream restoration project. $100,300.

Govans Presbyterian Church: for design of rain gardens, a tree planting, permeable pavers, and a rainwater catchment system. $59,655.

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy: for design of the Grace Creek living shoreline project. $50,000.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: for design of the Carroll Farm living shoreline project. $70,000.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for design of the Edgewater Beach Shady Side shoreline restoration project. $47,032.

EcoLatinos, Inc.: for design of a bioswale at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Landover Hills, Maryland. $40,612.

ShoreRivers: for design of the Turners Creek Headwaters Phase II stream restoration project. $70,580.

ShoreRivers: for design of the Starkey Farm headwater stream valley restoration and assessment project. $110,000.

Potomac Conservancy: for design of the Inverness Community stormwater management project. $86,000.

ShoreRivers: for design of the Poor House Run stream restoration project. $100,000.

Youth Environmental Education

The Youth Environmental Education Grant Program is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. This program is designed to increase student awareness and involvement in the restoration and protection of our region’s natural resources by increasing access to programs that provide Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). For more information about this program, click here.

Blue Sky Fund: for 4th grade students from Richmond Public Schools to participate in a watershed investigation program. $5,000.

The Delmarva Community Wellnet Foundation; EDEN Project: for the expansion of the schoolyard habitat at Longneck Elementary School. $7,500.

Elk Hill Farm, Inc.: for 36 students to investigate the James River watershed. $5,000.

So What Else, inc: for installation of a community garden and engagement of local youth in the Carrollton Ridge neighborhood. $7,500.

Anacostia Watershed Society: for 40 youth in District of Columbia to participate in the Saturday Environmental Academy (SEA). $7,000.

Virginia Association for Environmental Education: for a pollinator and food garden at Lakemont Elementary School. $7,000.

Ward Foundation: for 1500 students from Wicomico County to participate in a watershed investigation. $4,382.

Payne Elementary School PTSA: for 320 students in Pre-K-5th grade to participate in a watershed investigation. $5,000.

Crow’s Nest Research Center: for professional development for 15 teachers. $5,000.

Live It Learn It: for 100 third graders to participate in a watershed investigation. $5,000.

The Tome School: for 7th graders to participate in a field experience in Radcliffe Creek and plant a 1,600 square-foot rain garden. $3,936.

Hickory Elementary School: for installation of an outdoor classroom. $1,092.

Summit School, Anne Arundel County: for installation of an outdoor classroom. $5,000.

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club: for 12 middle schoolers to participate in a week-long environmental spring break camp. $8,815.

Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center: for 10th-12th graders to expand water quality monitoring in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by developing, building, and deploying low-cost monitoring devices. $4,995.

Village School: for students to discover how urban planting and restorative agriculture practices can address climate change and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. $3,490.

Maymont Foundation: for Project Based Learning workshops for elementary school teachers in the East End of Richmond. $5,000.

Potomac Valley Audubon Society: for installation of an outdoor classroom with fourth grade students. $5,000.

The Springwell School, Inc.: for creation of an outdoor classroom and school-yard habitat project to support climate change education. $5,000.

Friends of Shepherd Park DC: for weekly STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities for youth and families in Ward 8 in Washington, DC. $7,000.

Rivanna Conservation Alliance: for a comprehensive MWEE for all 200 sixth grade students at Jackson P. Burley Middle School. $4,997.

Bethesda Green: for students from Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Walt Whitman, and Walter Johnson high schools to participate in environmental stewardship via impactful projects, community engagement, and cooperative project development and delivery. $7,000.

Wisdom Projects, Inc.: for 12 monthly MWEE field trips for students in Baltimore City. $6,000.

Howard County Conservancy, Inc.: for addressing capacity building for the Youth Climate Institute (YCI) program. $5,000.

Bridges Public Charter School: for installation of a native meadow and outdoor educational space. $7,000.

Saint Ignatius Loyola Academy: for oyster restoration education for 27 seventh graders. $1,632.

James River Association: for a hands-on field experience for 150 5th, 6th and 8th graders. $5,000.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for Montgomery Housing Partnership Pre-K youth to explore nature. $7,000.

STARBASE Victory Inc: for 24 eighth and ninth graders to investigate the effects of microplastics on local waterways. $5,000.

Petersburg City Public Schools: for field experiences for 120 fifth graders $5,000.

James River Association: for outdoor field experiences and action projects for fourth graders in Richmond Public Schools. $5,000.

February 2023

Awards will be posted here after the February board meeting.

May 2023

Awards will be posted here after the May board meeting.

Jun 28
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Centro de Apoyo Familiar Connects Latino and Immigrant Communities with Prince George’s County Resources and Programs

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Stormwater runoff is rain or melted snow that runs off surfaces such as parking lots and roofs and flows across the land into storm drains and waterways. As the runoff flows, it picks up and carries with it pollutants like pet waste and litter that negatively impacts our rivers and can have harmful effects on human health.

Prince George’s County, MD has many strategies to address stormwater management issues in the County. Some of these efforts include educating community members about stormwater issues and providing resources for homeowners to install small-scale practices on their property that can help alleviate stormwater runoff at their home.

To help support the County’s efforts, Centro de Apoyo Familiar, or Center for Assistance to Families (CAF), received grant awards in 2017, 2018, and 2021 through the Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program to conduct their Aguas Sanas Familias Sanas (Healthy Waters Healthy Families) program. This program engages and trains Latino church promotoras (community health promoters) to be stormwater leaders in their community. After the promotoras receive training, they then lead workshops to educate residents on local environmental issues, ways to address these issues, and County resources and programs.

One program in particular that CAF highlighted during these trainings was the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program. This program provides an opportunity for homeowners, businesses, and others to help reduce stormwater runoff in the County and improve local waterways. Through the Rain Check Rebate Program, eligible applicants can receive a reimbursement for installing stormwater practices, like rain barrels, on their property. These stormwater practices help reduce stormwater runoff and its impacts.

To educate the promotoras and community members on this topic, CAF developed presentations and educational materials in Spanish for the training sessions. CAF provided these materials to the promotoras for distribution during workshops with community members. The promotoras participated in two training sessions to learn about stormwater, how it impacts their communities, and how community members can reduce its impact by installing rain barrels and other practices through the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program.

In 2017

CAF partnered with five churches in Prince George’s County, listed below, to participate in the program. Each church selected a member to act as the promotora, who were then trained by CAF. After the training, the promotoras held a combined total of eight workshops. These workshops engaged a total of 225 families.

  • Casa Hogar Benditos De Mi Padre
  • Iglesia De Dios De La Profecia Nuevo Pacto
  • Iglesia Resturacion
  • Love Without Borders Ministry
  • Ministerio Internacional Evangelico (MIES)

In 2018

CAF partnered with the three churches listed below. The trained promotoras from these churches held workshops that engaged 141 Latino families and provided technical assistance to those interested in applying for the Rain Check Rebate Program.

  • Casa de Restauracion Hispana
  • Centro Cristiano Vida Mueva
  • Ministerio Edificando la Familia

In 2021

CAF partnered with the five churches listed below. CAF trained the promotoras from the churches, who held a combined total of six workshops. These workshops engaged 172 families in the community.

  • Casa de Restauracion
  • Iglesia Acts
  • Iglesia con Poder De Lo Alto
  • Iglesia Restauración Lanham
  • Washington Ghanaian SDA Church

Every year, the results of post-workshop surveys showed an increase in knowledge and interest in how attendees could better protect their environment and help manage stormwater in their day-to-day life. Participants found the workshop to be informative and helped to open their eyes to issues they did not know about prior to the workshop. For example, participants learned how stormwater runoff can cause temporary flooding in their community and how common household pollutants get into local waterways.

Thank you to Centro de Apoyo Familiar for all you do to engage Latino and immigrant communities in environmental stewardship!

To read more about the 2017 project, click here and to learn more about the 2018 project, click here.

Learn about the ways you can help manage stormwater runoff while also beautifying your property by viewing the Chesapeake Stormwater Network’s Homeowner Guide for a More Bay-Friendly Property at http://chesapeakestormwater.net/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2013/04/Homeowner-Guide.pdf.

If you live in Prince George’s County, learn how you can participate in the Rain Check Rebate Program by clicking the button below.

Learn more about the Rain Check Rebate Program
Jun 24
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Over $1 Million Announced to Support Green Infrastructure Projects to Improve Communities in MD, PA, VA, and WV

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Borough of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania – The Chesapeake Bay Trust, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection announce that $1,058,720 in funding has been awarded to 13 projects across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia as part of the Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program. These awards help communities develop and implement plans that reduce stormwater runoff; increase the amount of green spaces in urban areas; improve the health of local rivers, streams, the Chesapeake Bay and the human populations within the communities; create “green jobs;” reduce energy use; and enhance livability in cities and communities.

“We congratulate all grantees for putting forth projects that will support clean water and strong neighborhoods,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “This program helps communities reinvigorate gray and green infrastructure projects that reduce stormwater runoff and pollution to local waters and the Chesapeake Bay, while improving their economy, quality of life and community beautification.”

This green infrastructure program is designed to facilitate and encourage communities implementing traditional “gray” infrastructure projects, such as repaving roads or reconfiguring intersections, to add green elements at little additional cost. These green elements then offer cost-effective savings on stormwater treatment, flooding abatement, and other community benefits.

“The projects announced today show the value of adding green stormwater elements when other infrastructure improvements are planned,” said Alana Hartman, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Potomac Basin Coordinator. “These projects, led by communities and local organizations, will serve as a model for the entire region while helping to protect, preserve and enhance the quality of our water resources in the South Branch of the Potomac and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.”

The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Initiative was started in 2011, led by water experts at EPA and then expanded into the program it is today. To date, 245 projects have received funding and $14.4 million has been invested into greening communities.

Greening local communities has been shown to have multiple human benefits, from savings on energy costs that hit the wallet via provision of shade to reduction of illnesses to reduction in crime.  Studies show that time spent outdoors in green spaces leads to improved mental health, reduced absenteeism in employees, improved heart health, and more.

“Green infrastructure projects are one of those rare win-win-win scenarios:  They improve communities in various ways, they improve human health, and they also benefit our waterways,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “This program lets us take advantage of projects that communities want to do for themselves that just also happen to benefit the larger natural system way downstream.”

 

Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program Awardees

Borough of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania – $150,000
A project that will directly reduce stormwater runoff into the Conococheague Creek, reduce associated flooding in the immediate area, address bank stabilization, and implement green infrastructure components.  Major enhancements to the area include the reduction of Hood Street flooding; the installation of sub-surface infiltration beds to manage stormwater; the planting of pollinator gardens; and the removal of invasive species and planting native riparian buffers.

City Neighbors Foundation, Baltimore, Maryland – $148,883
A complete green renovation of the City Neighbors Charter parking lot, located in NE Baltimore City.  Installations include 1270 sq. ft. of micro-bioretention, 1679 sq. ft. of pervious paving, and a 105 sq. ft. rain garden, all of which will be open for exploration by students, their families, and the general public.

City of Romney, West Virginia – $118,555
A water filtration project to be located in Romney, West Virginia that will be funded through new program partner, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The project will retrofit a large parking lot and adjoining streets with water filtering bioswales.  Runoff will be filtered from 3.3 acres of drainage area, 0.85 acres of which is impervious.  The filtration system will address the issue of unfiltered runoff into a nearby stream which flows less than one mile into the South Branch of the Potomac River.

Druid Heights Community Development Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland – $29,998
An engineering design to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff going into the Jones Falls watershed and the Chesapeake Bay. The design will create a community-envisioned greening plan that will incorporate trees, bioswales, and other stormwater management facilities. The design will be created with the residents as part of their overall vision for the West Baltimore neighborhood.

James River Association, Petersburg, Virginia – $118,146
The implementation of a critical component of green and gray infrastructure for the Lakemont community which will better manage stormwater and improve local water quality. The proposed Nash Street Grassy Swale project represents a continued commitment to implement infrastructure improvements for Lakemont which will enhance existing conditions, reduce the volume of stormwater runoff, and treat water quality.

Joe’s Movement Emporium/World Arts Focus, Mount Rainier, Maryland – $150,000
The implementation of stormwater management practices at Joe’s arts center, as part of “Story of Water and Art.” Stormwater management features – green roof, vertical rain gardens, and green roof demonstration unit – will resolve flooding issues around the urban property, and be integrated with native plants, educational signage, a mural, and outdoor program space.

ShoreRivers, Preston, Maryland – $24,122
A design of conservation improvements to the James T. Wright Memorial Park, adding bioswales to alleviate overly-saturated conditions, tree canopy to beautify and cool community gathering areas, and conservation meadows to enhance the beauty of the park and increase pollinator habitat.

The Community Ecology Institute, Columbia, Maryland – $108,650
The implementation of the engineered plans associated with Atholton high school, which will provide highly visible demonstrations of best management practices, achieve health benefits for the Middle Patuxent Watershed, address chronic neighborhood stormwater flooding, and provide an outdoor education space for the school community.

Town of Emmitsburg, Maryland – $121,400
The installation of a forebay and micropool with pilot channels and wetland area within the existing dry extended detention pond footprint to provide water quality controls for the 7.96-acres of impervious area while also providing water quantity controls for the 22.22-acre drainage area without increasing discharge flow rates.

Town of Galena, Maryland – $30,000
An engineered design plan that identifies potential solutions to address stormwater runoff that causes localized flooding in the area of Division Street and a parking area behind a local grocery store and delicatessen. Along with using green infrastructure practices such as bioretention, green infrastructure will be utilized to help improve the flow of traffic in and through the area as well to screen adjoining properties.

Town of Glen Echo, Maryland – $28,271
The design of two stormwater remediation projects, a rain garden at Town Hall and a swale in the right of way, that will address town flooding issues.

Town of Millington, Maryland – $9,995
A concept plan to treat stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces, environmental restoration, and pervious parking enhancements, while improving public access and opportunities via a kayak launch and shoreline improvements to the properties owned by the Town along the Chester River.

Watershed Alliance of York, York and Lancaster Counties, Pennsylvania – $20,700
A two-part workshop and repeatable workshop template that will focus on the responsibilities of Homeowner Associations (HOAs) in York and Lancaster counties for their stormwater management infrastructure. One important deliverable will be a template that groups such as watershed organizations can use to easily plan and conduct this workshop/charrette in counties throughout the Bay watershed.

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Apr 12
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Montgomery County’s First ‘Litter Trap’ Installed in Anacostia River Tributary

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The Anacostia Riverkeeper, the Montgomery County Department of the Environment, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announced the installation of the County’s first “litter trap” that will catch trash flowing down a stream or river. The trap will float in the Lockridge Drive Tributary and capture litter. Using the stream current, it will guide debris into the trap and prevent it from flowing downstream to the Anacostia River and into the Chesapeake Bay.

“Plastic bottles make up 60 percent of all the trash that is found floating on the Anacostia River, and while the best way to reduce trash in our waterways is not to litter at all, this litter trap is another way to make sure that we are not leaving environmentally harmful trash behind,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “I want to thank the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Anacostia Riverkeeper, our partners in finding innovative ways to clean up our streams and creeks. We are proud to support funding for projects such as the litter trap and to work with these local groups committed to cleaning their communities. These programs provide jobs, create awareness, and build community support for protecting our environment.”

Anacostia Riverkeeper is working with the Montgomery County Conservation Corps for maintenance, monitoring and data collection as the litter is collected and sorted.

“Anacostia Riverkeeper is thrilled to celebrate the installation of this first Bandalong Litter Trap in Montgomery County, making a total of eight in the watershed,” said Riverkeeper Trey Sherard of Anacostia Riverkeeper. “Trash, especially plastic, is such an enormous problem in the Anacostia and worldwide that we hope this is the first of many trash traps coming to the County as we continue to partner with the Department of Environmental Protection, Chesapeake Bay Trust, and Montgomery County Conservation Corps. What a wonderfully appropriate way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act.”

This trash trap project was funded via the Montgomery County Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant Program. It is a partnership between the County and the Chesapeake Bay Trust that funds public outreach and stewardship projects, community-based restoration water quality implementation projects and litter-reduction projects throughout the County. The grants are funded entirely through the Montgomery County Water Quality Protection Charge and are administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a regional grant-maker specializing in engaging nonprofit entities in restoration and outreach work.

“Our successful partnership with Montgomery County makes it possible to support diverse groups taking actions that both enrich their local communities and positively impact our natural resources,” said Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “Innovative grantee projects, such as the litter trap, help improve healthy streams and rivers for all to enjoy.”

Since January, over $560,000 in grant funding was awarded to 15 projects throughout Montgomery County and since the program’s inception in 2014, over $3.4 million has been awarded through the grant program.

Projects have included public outreach; stewardship and community-based restoration efforts such as planting native plants and trees, promoting, and implementing green infrastructure practices, community training programs, and removing impervious surfaces; and trash reduction in the Anacostia River Watershed through litter trap maintenance and monitoring.

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