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Apr 21
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Celebrate Earth Day 2021!

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8 Steps You Can Take This Earth Day to Help Mother Nature

Are looking for things to do for Earth Day? Here are a few actions you can take and events you can attend to support the Earth.

1. Take a walk in your neighborhood and pick up trash. 

All it takes is a couple of pairs of gloves and a trash bag to get involved. Look out for sharp and dangerous objects and stay safe!

2. Pick up pet waste! Timely removal keeps waste from washing into waterways and spreading bacteria and parasites.

Why Scoop That Poop

Click the image to learn more about why picking up pet waste is so important!

3. Switch to online billing and go paperless for your household budget.

Imagine how many bills pile up on your desk each year. Switching to e-bills cannot only make your life more efficient but save trees in the process.

4. Make a personal plastic audit.

Check items around your house to fully understand how prevalent plastic is in your life and investigate ways to make simple swaps.

5. Switch out single-use plastic bags for reusable shopping totes.

It is estimated that every year, 300 million plastic bags are put in the Atlantic Ocean. If we all make the change, we can help prevent this pollution.

6. Replace inefficient incandescent light bulbs with efficient CFLs or LEDS. 

By switching to efficient light bulbs, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 450 pounds a year!

7. Contribute to the Chesapeake Bay Trust to help make a powerful investment in the Chesapeake region.

By donating to the Chesapeake Bay Trust, you are contributing to the funding of organizations that help make a powerful environmental impact on the Chesapeake region each year.

8. Attend these Earth Day Events.

 

The High 5 Initiative – Earth Day Kayak Cleanup:

Sat, April 24, 2021

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

 

Baltimore City Composting Virtual Workshop:

Thurs, Apr. 22nd

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

 

 Baltimore’s First Annual Zero Waste Day:

Thurs, Apr. 22nd

6:30 – 8:30 pm

 

Maryland Stream Restoration Association – 2021 Virtual Career Seminar:

Thurs, Apr. 22nd

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

 

 

 

Mar 24
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Women’s History Month at the Chesapeake Bay Trust

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Women’s History Month at the Chesapeake Bay Trust: Jana Davis

Let our female leaders tell you their stories!

 

When the Chesapeake Bay Trust was created in 1985, our goal was to help improve the watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland Coastal Bays and the Youghiogheny River. Part of this mission involves fostering the inclusion of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, including women. This year for Women’s History Month, we would like you to take a look at three women at the Trust who are leading in environmental work. Today, we will focus on Jana Davis, Executive Director at the Trust.

Dr. Jana Davis, Executive Director at the Chesapeake Bay Trust

1) Can you tell me a little about yourself and what your role is at the Trust?

Jana: I am the director at the Trust, and I love it because it’s the perfect combination of two elements of my background: science and policy/management.  My role at the Trust is really to support all the work that our amazing team members do; figure out a way to do it more easily, more efficiently, and better when possible; and determine whether there is some other direction we can/should go.  The Trust has an incredible mission and such a unique and wonderful role in the community.  We are a non-advocacy, independent, trusted entity that provides resources to groups to get amazing work done, which I love – the idea of helping other people get their goals accomplished – and that steps in to solve some key conundrums that others can’t. 

2) What inspired you to become involved in Environmental work?

Jana: What inspired me was my love of natural resources like the ocean and bays and marshes and my love of being outdoors, and seeing what happens to certain parts of our outdoors.  I don’t admit this too often, because I’m a proud Marylander now, but I did grow up on the Jersey shore during the era the Jersey shore because somewhat infamous for medical waste washing up on beaches.  I think I just saw a late-night TV joke on this topic, so while the situation has much improved, it’s still on people’s minds.  It crushed my heart to go out to beautiful spots like the back trails in the Sandy Hook Gateways National Recreation area – these secret spots that when I was a kid I thought were “mine” – and see trash there.  Later, I became a scientist (oceanography), and it seemed only natural to combine my love of the outdoors with my love of science – which to me is more about question asking and problem-solving than memorizing, say, part of a cell – to become part of the environmental management community.

 3) What advice would you give a woman who wanted to pursue a career similar to yours?

Jana: Work hard, be smart, and never be afraid of anything! 

 4) What barriers have you faced as a female leader?

Jana: I know that many women have faced significant barriers to accomplish their goals, and obviously barriers still exist when we look at things like CEO demographics and the fact that we still haven’t had a female President of the United States.  However, I have been very lucky in that I have been very supported along the way by people of all genders, or else worked so hard or was so blind to the barrier that I got my way anyway.  I am the first female Executive Director of the Trust, and at the time, people made a few comments, but by the time I realized that fact, I had already gotten the job!   Interestingly, at the time, the Trust had its first-ever female Chair of the Board of Trustees also.

5) What do you think are the qualities of a great leader?

Jana: Hard work, great vision, ability to get back up when knocked down, empathy.

6) Who is a woman that inspires you now or in the past? How have you used their lessons in your growth?

Jana: I’m going to name two women:  One who for me represents all the women over the centuries who have played a historically downplayed role in so many great human discoveries, and one who directly helped me in my career.   The first is Katherine Johnson (and her colleagues), made famous in the book and movie Hidden Figures, though of course she and her colleagues were famous in certain circles long before that.  Katherine Johnson of course was one of the “computers” who worked at NASA in the 1950s and 60s and who were responsible for so many missions and calculations behind them, most notably the one that put a human on the moon and the backbone of our current GPS system.  To me, she represents all the women on whose shoulders so many great discovers stand, but who in the past have not gotten their due in the history books, such as Marie Curie, Catharine Littlefield Greene, Barbara McClintock, Grace Murray Hopper, Marie Maynard Daly, Maria Mitchell, Flossie Wong-Staal, etc.  My graduate school advisor, Dr. Lisa Levin, was personally a huge inspiration.  She works so hard, excels in her field, and never complains.  She was a huge inspiration to me when I was a graduate student.

Thank you for celebrating Women’s History Month with the Trust! We encourage you to look at women in your life who have influenced you and thank them for their inspiration.

Mar 17
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Women’s History Month at the Chesapeake Bay Trust

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Women’s History Month at the Chesapeake Bay Trust: Kacey Wetzel

Let our female leaders tell you their stories!

 

When the Chesapeake Bay Trust was created in 1985, our goal was to help improve the watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland Coastal Bays and the Youghiogheny River. Part of this mission involves fostering the inclusion of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, including women. This year for Women’s History Month, we would like you to take a look at three women at the Trust who are leading in environmental work. Today, we will focus on Kacey Wetzel, Director of Programs for Outreach & Education.

Kacey Wetzel, Director of Programs for Outreach & Education

1) Can you tell me a little about yourself and what your role is at the Trust?

Kacey: I was born and raised in Maryland and have a longstanding love for the Chesapeake Bay and water generally. While I have lived in a few places, I came back to the Chesapeake region in 2006 and joined the Trust staff in 2007. I am the Director of Outreach and Education here at the Trust and I work with an amazing team of folks who care deeply about environmental and community well-being.

2) What inspired you to become involved in Environmental work?

Kacey: I had a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Ginger in middle school who organized an essay contest to select students to participate in an immersive multi-day environmental education experience. While I didn’t know it at the time, I was participating in a Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (or what we affectionately refer to as a MWEE). At some point over the course of several days, while listening to geese overhead, smelling the brackish water, and walking through sandy beaches and black needle rush, I fell in love. That experience and the incredible passion of my teacher Mrs. Ginger set the course for my academic pursuits and my career.

3) What advice would you give a woman who wanted to pursue a career similar to yours?

Kacey: There are so many on-ramps to environmental careers now, so I don’t think you need to have an academic background in environmental science to find your niche in the environmental movement. If you feel passionate about something, however small it may be, that is likely your calling and is likely your best entry point into an environmentally oriented career. I know so many amazing women that have found their way into environmental careers by starting with simple questions: How can I reduce my waste? How can I improve my health? How can I help my community? Why is that incinerator being built here? How come the water is brown? So I think the best advice I can give a woman who wants to pursue an environmental career is to stay curious and listen to your inner voice. It may sound like a whisper but it will likely guide you in the right direction.

4) What barriers have you faced as a female leader?

Kacey: While I have personally encountered and still continue to encounter ageism and misogyny within the environmental movement, I know that I am privileged because I identify as a cis-gender white woman. As a cis-gender white woman, I recognize that I only have a white, heterosexual female frame of reference and that my experience is not the experience of my colleagues who may identify as transgender, black, indigenous, or people of color. I also recognize that as a cis-gender white woman it is important for me to listen to those who identify as transgender and/or people of color, hear their perspectives and seek to understand how I can help to break down barriers faced by my colleagues.

5) What do you think are the qualities of a great leader?

Kacey: I think the ability to hold space for others’ viewpoints and to avoid binary thinking is critical. This is going to sound very Brene Brown, but I think great leaders maintain clear values and are emotionally courageous (willing to be vulnerable). I respect leaders that genuinely care about others, stay curious, and operate from self-awareness, not self-protection.

6) Who is a woman that inspires you now or in the past? How have you used their lessons in your growth?

Kacey: I am so lucky to have so many wonderful women that inspire me every day. If I have to pick just one though, I will always pick my mom. My mom experienced a lot of trauma in her life, but she was always clear about her values. She valued integrity, kindness, and compassion, and her values were her guiding light. Despite a lot of hardship and darkness, she made sure to instill those values in us (my brother and I). She always said you should ‘fight for the underdog’. I miss my mom a lot but she is still a guiding light for me every day.

Thank you for celebrating Women’s History Month with the Trust! We encourage you to look at women in your life who have influenced you and thank them for their inspiration.

Mar 10
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Women’s History Month at the Chesapeake Bay Trust

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Women’s History Month at the Chesapeake Bay Trust: Sadie Drescher

Let our female leaders tell you their stories!

 

When the Chesapeake Bay Trust was created in 1985, our goal was to help improve the watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland Coastal Bays and the Youghiogheny River. Part of this mission involves fostering the inclusion of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, including women. This year for Women’s History Month, we would like you to take a look at three women at the Trust who are leading in environmental work. Today, we will focus on Sadie Drescher, Director of Programs for Restoration.

Sadie Drescher, Director of Programs for Restoration

1) Can you tell me a little about yourself and what your role is at the Trust?

Sadie: I have worked in the environmental field for over twenty years from my beginnings in the laboratory and field to “behind the desk” to manage the Trust’s restoration programs. I love my job. My favorite thing to do is to connect people, ideas, and resources and that is a big part of working at the Trust.

2) What inspired you to become involved in Environmental work?

Sadie: Growing up in rural eastern Tennessee on well water and using a septic system made me very aware of the importance of clean drinking water and water conservation. I also loved going on hikes with my family. These hikes are where I started to love and appreciate nature. These early experiences shaped my appreciation for the environmental field. I have always been interested in water. In fact, my middle name is “Rain.”

3) What advice would you give a woman who wanted to pursue a career similar to yours?

Sadie: Go for it! There is nothing holding you back. Always look for mentors to give you feedback. Ask questions and learn from the many mistakes/obstacles you will encounter.

4) What barriers have you faced as a female leader?

Sadie: I would not label myself as a “leader” but that is a kind sentiment. I am always learning so sometimes I am leading but most often I am learning from others. As far as barriers I have encountered – there have been too many to count and with hard work, I believe that any barrier can be overcome.

5) What do you think are the qualities of a great leader?

Sadie: This is a great question. Leaders hold others up and help them grow. Leaders hold us accountable for the quality of our work, our actions, and our words. Leaders have empathy and curiosity.

6) Who is a woman that inspires you now or in the past? How have you used their lessons in your growth?

Sadie: My aunt Sandy has always inspired me for her strength, compassion, honesty, and humor. Sandy is a Mennonite preacher in Pennsylvania with a background in social work who pushes the envelope as a woman in this position (people left her congregation when she became pastor just because she was a woman) and she supports progressive social positions that are not always popular in her circles. In summary, she is her own person and charges her own path which I greatly admire.

Thank you for celebrating Women’s History Month with the Trust! We encourage you to look at women in your life who have influenced you and thank them for their inspiration.

Feb 18
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Check It to Protect It: Tax Time is for Conservation

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Chesapeake Bay Trust Logo    Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Check It to Protect It:

Tax Time is for Conservation

Donations made to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund through Maryland’s income tax check-off program support education, community stewardship, and Bay restoration efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cynamon Butler, cbutler@cbtrust.org, 410-974-2941 ext. 114 or 919-669-9531

(Annapolis, MD) February 17, 2021 – Tax season is here, and Marylanders can help protect one of our state’s greatest natural treasures, the Chesapeake Bay and its wildlife, by making a tax-deductible contribution to line 35, the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund, on the Maryland tax form.

Where does the money go? The Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund was created to support Bay restoration and education programs and to protect Maryland’s rare, threatened, and endangered species. The fund is split evenly between the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a highly rated nonprofit organization, and the Wildlife and Heritage Division of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The line on the state income tax form allows Marylanders to quickly and easily donate to help the Bay and conserve Maryland’s native wildlife and endangered species. Nearly $1 million was contributed through the 2019 tax check-off, which funded Bay restoration initiatives, community stewardship projects, and environmental education programs across Maryland from the mountains to the ocean.
Now more than ever, it is important to protect – and visit – our natural resources. Many outdoor spaces, such as state parks, saw a significant increase in visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic when indoor venues like movie theaters and the mall were off limits.

“More and more people are beginning to understand what science has shown us for decades: People who spend time outdoors are healthier, which means they likely have fewer underlying conditions, which means they are poised to be able to withstand attacks like COVID-19 better,” said Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “We need to make sure ALL of our residents have access to healthy, clean, green outdoor spaces and that we work to solve any disparities in this access, and contributions to this fund can help.”

Launched in 1990, the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund is one of the most successful voluntary tax check-off programs in the nation. Last year, more than 30,000 Maryland state income tax statements were returned with contributions to the fund. To make your contribution, simply complete line 35 on your Maryland state income tax form or ask your certified public accountant or tax preparer. Donations of any dollar amount can be made and all are tax deductible. For more information on the Chesapeake Bay Trust, visit www.cbtrust.org/taxdonation, or for details on the Department of Natural Resource’s Wildlife and Heritage Division, visit www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife.

Additionally, Certified Public Accountants and tax preparers have joined in on restoration efforts to improve the health of the Bay and conserve our at-risk species through the CPAs for a Healthy Bay program led by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. If you would like to work with a Bay-friendly CPA this tax season, or if you are a CPA who would like to participate in this program, visit www.cbtrust.org/cpas to learn more.

About the Chesapeake Bay Trust
The Chesapeake Bay Trust (www.cbtrust.org) is a nonprofit grant-making organization established by the Maryland General Assembly dedicated to improving the natural resources of Maryland and the Chesapeake region through environmental education, community engagement, and local watershed restoration. The Trust’s grantees engage hundreds of thousands of individuals annually in projects that have a measurable impact on the waterways and other natural resources of the region. The Trust is supported by the sale of the Chesapeake Bay license plate, donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form, 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 sixteen years. On average, 90 percent of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.

About the Wildlife and Heritage Division of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
The Wildlife and Heritage Service regularly reviews its database to determine areas it considers priorities for acquisition to maintain the quality of the unusual ecosystems, natural communities, or habitats for rare species. These recommendations are used by Maryland Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, and other conservation organizations interested in purchasing ecologically significant properties. The Department of Natural Resources receives dedicated funding, through a very small percentage of the real estate transfer tax, called the Heritage Conservation Fund to be used specifically for the purchase of important natural areas harboring habitats for rare species or unique natural communities.

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Feb 18
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Maryland Outdoor Spaces – Legislator Favorites

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Maryland Outdoor Spaces – Legislator Favorites

On January 21, 2021, more than 60 legislators attended the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s virtual legislative reception. They were invited to share some of their favorite outdoor spots in their districts and throughout Maryland. Their contributions were so wonderful that we were asked to compile them and send them to attendees. As Senate President Bill Ferguson said, “Our parks are those spaces that bring Marylanders together to get that fundamental belief in love of family, of friends, of each other.” “Our 6,400 parks and green spaces are a great way to boost your mental and overall health” added House Speaker Adrienne Jones. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jeanne Haddaway-Riccio reminded us all how diverse Maryland is, and we see this in the list of favorite spots below.

The sites on the list below are not exhaustive, but were those suggested by legislators and guests present that evening as places they visit to get outdoors and feel refreshed and recharged. The entries include a word or two about the site, the name of the legislator suggesting the site, and a website for more information.

Anne Arundel County

Thomas Point Park

B&A Trail, great for walking, biking, rollerblading, and more, stretches from Boulters Way in Annapolis to Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie, Maryland. The Earleigh Heights Ranger Station (ca. 1889) is located in Severna Park with parking available on the premises. A gazebo, horticultural gardens and park benches are found at the Hatton-Regester Green property in Severna Park – Senator Pam Beidle

BWI Trail picks up from the Dorsey Road end of the B&A Trail and circles BWI Airport for an additional 12 miles of paved trail. A parking lot and playground are located at the Thomas A. Dixon Observation Area. Several scenic views of the BWI Airport are found along this loop trail. – Senator Pam Beidle

Thomas Point Park – This park boasts a beautiful view of a lighthouse. “A silver lining of the struggles over the last year is that we have renewed interest in and passion for outdoors and green spaces, specifically those that are accessible that have an eye towards equity. It’s good not just for the bay but for health in general.” – Senator Sarah Elfreth

Tolly Point Shoal offers a great spot for fishing – Delegate Dana Jones

Lake Ogleton offers a great spot to fish, crab, and kayak. You can see lots of nesting ospreys in the right season. – Delegate Dana Jones

Truxton Park offers a mile and a half hiking trail and a boat launch ramp. – Delegate Shaneka Henson

 

Baltimore City

Loch Raven Reservoir is one of the most pristine outdoor locations in the Baltimore metropolitan area, with resplendent plants and wildlife and beautiful water vistas, where visitors can enjoy miles of hiking trails that wind their way along the banks of the reservoir. Hikers and bikers can expect to see a wide variety of birds, including ravens, cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers, and even bald eagles, as well as a lush and varied array of plants and trees, including oaks, beeches, maples, poplars, raspberries, and wild roses. – Speaker Adrienne Jones

Patterson Park Pagoda. The pagoda (1891) is one of Senate President Bill Ferguson’s favorite spots in Patterson Park, a historic site important in the War of 1812 which is now frequented by neighborhood schools and churches for its athletic fields and is home to one of the two ice rinks available in the city. –Senate President Bill Ferguson

Patterson Park Pagoda

Patterson Park Pagoda

Jones Falls Trail is a 10-mile hiking biking trail along the Jones Falls that wraps around Druid Hill Reservoir. – Delegate Maggie McIntosh

Stoney Run. Beautiful stream that runs through Baltimore, go over a bridge, and into Wyman Park area. – Delegate Maggie McIntosh

Druid Hill Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same planner that designed Central Park in New York City. It is the third oldest public park in the United States. – Delegate Maggie McIntosh. 

Clifton Park https://parkrxamerica.org/

Clifton Park is one of the historic parks in Baltimore City. It offers a lot of amenities, including gardens and paths. – Delegate Dana Stein 

Lake Montebello is a great 1.4-mile loop trail good for running and biking. – Delegate Dana Stein. 

Patterson Park neighborhoods have become greener through various community efforts and are a great place to take a lovely walk. There is “strengthened social fabric through greening.” – Delegate Robbyn Lewis

Wyman Park is described as a 16-acre urban sanctuary. “We all want to be outside. We all want fresh air. We all want green space.” – Delegate Regina T. Boyce

Herring Run Park consists of 375 acres of woodlands that extends 2.3 miles from Morgan State University to I-895, also designed by the Olmsted brothers. – Delegate Regina T. Boyce

Walking the Olmsted – You can take a self-guided tour that visits various historical, cultural and scenic points of interest – Delegate Regina T. Boyce 

 

Baltimore County

Irvine Nature Center boasts 200 acres of meadows, woodlands, and wetlands and a great environmental education center. – Delegate Dana Stein 

Radebaugh Park, Towson opened at the beginning of the pandemic. Green Towson Alliance (GTA), state, and local government partnership. GTA working on the “Six Bridges Trail” to connect neighborhoods along the Herring Run to the new park – Delegate Cathi Forbes

Patapsco Valley State Park

Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 16,043 acres and eight developed recreational areas. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails – Delegate Sheila Ruth 

Patapsco Valley State Park – Cascade Trail in the Avalon area. A bonus is the nearby swinging bridge – Delegate Courtney Watson

Catonsville Rails to Trails converts abandoned rail and trolley lines to hiking trails. – Delegate Shelia Ruth

Soldiers Delight is a 1900-acre space boasting over 39 rare, threatened and endangered plant species and 7 miles of trails. – Delegate Benjamin Brooks

Gunpowder Falls State Park covers over 18,000 acres in Harford and Baltimore Counties and hosts a varied topography, ranging from tidal wetlands to steep and rugged slopes. The park features more than 120 miles of multi-use trails, wildlands, historic sites, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and a swimming beach and marina – Delegate Ric Metzger

Gunpowder Falls State Park, photo provided by DNR

Cox’s Point State Park is a 25.9-acre waterfront park offering fishing, a boat ramp, picnicking and more. Eastern Baltimore County boasts 250 miles of shoreline: “During this pandemic I’ve been getting my coffee…I’ve been going to the park and just sitting in the park and breathing the fresh air.” – Delegate Ric Metzger

Fort Howard State Park’s historical significance is its connection with the largest invasion of the United States in history in 1814. The British had landed about seven thousand men near the site that later became Fort Howard – Delegate Ric Metzger

 

Calvert County

Calvert Cliffs State Park and nearby Flag Ponds Nature Park offer stunning views and fossil hunting that attracts visitors from all over the country. “I am honored to have Calvert Cliffs in my district, with its beautiful views, and serene, peaceful setting. I am happy to know people were able to take advantage of this wonderful resource during this difficult time.” – Senator Jack Bailey  

Charles County

Nanjemoy Creek WMA is mostly forested, providing opportunity to see white-tailed deer, turkey, and forest interior dwelling birds. Along the marsh, herons, bald eagles, osprey, migratory songbirds, raccoons, otters and muskrat are some of the wildlife that you might see – Senator Arthur Ellis. 

Smallwood State Park, a 628-acre park, offers a marina, boat launching ramps, a picnic area, camping area, pavilions, a recycled tire playground and nature trails – Senator Arthur Ellis 

Mallows Bay

Mallows Bay is home to nearly 200 historic shipwrecks dating from the Revolutionary War through the present, known as the “Ghost Fleet” of Mallows Bay. The best way to see the site is by kayak – Senator Arthur Ellis

Indian Head Rail Trail offers 16-17 miles walking and hiking and birding (eagles, wild turkeys). We do need to make sure that everyone has the ability to easily visit some of these beautiful and health-improving sites. “We have to make sure that these beautiful sites are accessible to all our citizens as an environmental justice issue.” – Senator Arthur Ellis 

 

Frederick County

C&O Canal – The C&O Canal National Historic Park extends along the Potomac River shoreline from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, MD. The Canal’s entire 185-mile long towpath is restored, open to hikers and bikers and is accessible from many points in Frederick County. – Delegate Ken Kerr 

Appalachian Trail – Almost 40 miles of the AT, as it is affectionately known, cross Maryland, most of which follow the ridgeline of South Mountain.– Delegate Ken Kerr 

Gambrill State Park is a beautiful mountain park, located on the ridge of the Catoctin Mountains in Frederick County. Its most popular feature is the 16 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. “I wasn’t fortunate to have been born in Frederick, but I was smart enough to make it my home.” – Delegate Ken Kerr

Carroll Creek Park is a linear park through beautiful downtown Frederick. Spanning more than a mile, this creek walk offers more than just a beautiful view; specialty shops, outdoor dining, breweries and a distillery are among the businesses located along the park – Delegate Ken Kerr

Image result for carroll creek park

Carroll Creek Park

Civil war battlefields. Frederick County was at the crossroads of America’s Civil War. Located on the Mason-Dixon Line, Frederick County was the site of the Battle of South Mountain (1862) and the Battle of Monocacy (1864). Its towns were alternately occupied by troops from both sides in the days before the nearby battles of Antietam (1862) and Gettysburg (1863). – Delegate Ken Kerr 

Catoctin Mountain Park, where Camp David is, lies within the mountainous area known as the Blue Ridge Province. This 5,810-acre hardwood forest park offers its refreshing streams and scenic vistas. – Delegate Ken Kerr 

 

Harford County

Swan Harbor Farm Park in Harford County for a great place to hike, bird watch and see where the Susquehanna meets the Bay – Susanne Zilberfarb, MAEF 

 

Howard County

Wincopin Trails – “My district is filled with trails along the Middle and Little Patuxent Rivers and even a really beautiful spot where the two come together.” – Delegate Jen Terrasa. (Delegate Harrison Fletcher confirms there is great fishing there! “Everyone knows how much I love fishing… I keep a couple fishing rods and tackle box in my trunk” – Delegate Andrea Harrison Fletcher

Patapsco Valley State Park extends along 32 miles of the Patapsco River, encompassing 16,043 acres and
eight developed recreational areas. Recreational opportunities include hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, horseback and mountain bike trails – Delegate Jessica Feldmark

 

Montgomery County

Blackhill Regional Park – 2,000 acres with a lake for canoeing and paddle-boarding, dog park, trails, fishing  – Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo

Patuxent River State Park

Patuxent River State Park in Brookeville, Maryland offers 6,700 acres of natural areas and farmlands. Recreational use is primarily hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. The park includes a catch and release trout stream, designated hunting areas and unmarked hiking and equestrian trails – Delegate Pamela Queen 

Rock Creek Park and trails –This 1,754-acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history – Delegate Pamela Queen, Delegate Jared Solomon, Delegate Jim Gilchrist 

Lake Needwood – Trails follow the shoreline of Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park and meander through adjoining forest. The Lake Needwood area offers canoeing, paddle-boarding, and fishing Patuxent River State Park 8 – Delegate Bonnie Cullison, Delegate Jim Gilchrist 

Underground Railroad Experience Trail. The trail was created to provide more pedestrian trails in the

Oakley Cabin Trail

community, preserve the rural landscape and commemorate a part of the county’s history. Come during Heritage Days in June or Emancipation Day in November. – Delegate Pamela Queen  

Oakley Cabin African-American Museum and Park. An African American roadside community lived and worked on this historic site from emancipation well into the 20th century. Their culture and traditions heavily influenced those of surrounding communities, and their story is deeply woven into Montgomery County’s rich history. At the center of this site is Oakley Cabin, which was inhabited until 1976 and now serves as a living history museum. – Delegate Pamela Queen

Seneca Creek State Park is composed of 6,300 acres. The Clopper Day-Use Area contains many scenic areas, including the 90-acre Clopper Lake, surrounded by forests and fields. Picnicking, boat rentals, trails and a tire playground are just some of its recreational opportunities. Over 50 miles of trails are open for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling which wind through a variety of habitat. – Delegate James Gilchrist 

North Bethesda/Bethesda Trolley Trail- The Bethesda Trolley Trail is a great urban hike that mixes paved trails, major highway crossings via pedestrian bridges and a bit of street hiking to link them all together. The cool thing about this hike is that you go right through the heart of Bethesda. – Delegate James Gilchrist 

C&O Canal – Great Falls, Potomac MD

C&O Canal National Historic Park– The 184.5-mile-long recreational, educational and historic attraction welcomes over 5 million visitors each year. It is a major economic driver for the four Maryland counties – including Montgomery County – and the ten Canal Towns it passes through, responsible for approximately $98.4 million in visitor spending in 2019. – Delegate James Gilchrist

Audubon Naturalist Society Woodend Sanctuary is a peaceful 40-acre oasis offering wildflower meadows, meandering woodland trails, native plant gardens, and aquatic life. It’s a great place for kids and family, and they are working on a new ADA-accessible Oakley Cabin Trail, Potomac MD 9 trail and a veteran’s program to use it, partly funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. – Delegate Jared Solomon 

Matthew Henson Trail

Sligo Creek Trail – This roughly 10.2-hard surface trail is one of the oldest in the County. Several paved and a few unpaved trails are scattered throughout the park and connect other park facilities, schools, and neighborhoods to the main trail. It’s a great place to train for running. – Delegate Lorig Charkoudian 

Matthew Henson Trail – The 4.2 mile, 8-foot-wide hard surface trail features 0.6 miles of wooden boardwalk. The trail is surrounded by parkland, forested area, thousands of trees and shrubs, and the Turkey Branch Stream. – Delegate Bonnie Cullison 

 

Queen Anne’s County

Cross Island Trail

Kent Island Cross Island Trail. The 6+-mile trail, wandering through farmland, meadows, wetlands, and woods, spans from Terrapin Park to the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center at Kent Narrows and now beyond. The trail crosses several creeks with wooden bridges, offering a spectacular view of waterfowl and wetlands. – Senator Adelaide Eckhardt, Delegate Steven Arentz, Commissioner Chris Corchiarino

Terrapin Park. This 276-acre nature park features a 3.25-mile oyster chaff walking trail, which meanders through wildflower meadows, wetlands, tidal ponds, woodlands and sandy beaches. The trail provides a unique vantage point for viewing an incredible variety of waterfowl, wildlife and plant species. A gazebo and wheelchair-accessible boardwalk located along the beach afford a spectacular view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. – Commissioner Chris Corchiarino 

Prince George’s County

Riverdale Park Trail – Prince George’s County has 165 miles of trail in its park system, including paved trails for walking, biking, running, skating; natural surface trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; and water trails for canoeing and kayaking. Senator Pinsky likes to start at Riverdale Park and bike down to the waterfront or bike up to Lake Artemesia Natural Area in College Park. – Senator Paul Pinsky 

Laurel, Maryland – Laurel is a wonderful place to walk, offering a walking tour of historic Laurel through the City’s website. You can walk to three different counties from there! – Delegate Mary Lehman

 

Worcester County

Assateague Island is a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Sinepuxent Bay on the west, with land owned by both the federal and state government. Its miles of ocean beaches offer swimming, beachcombing, sunbathing, surfing and fishing. The bayside offers visitors the chance to explore secluded coves by canoe or kayak. The marsh areas have a variety of wildlife, including deer, waterfowl and of course the wild horses. – Delegate Wayne Hartman

Assateague Island Marshes

Feb 11
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Chesapeake Bay Trust Awards – Fiscal Year 2021

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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.

September 2020

Anne Arundel County Forestry and Forested Land Protection

The goal of this program is to implement cost-effective reforestation and greening projects and increase the number of acres of protected forested land in the County. For information about this grant program click here.

Scenic Rivers Land Trust: for the protection of 27 acres of existing forest with a permanent conservation easement and the reforestation and protection of 1.5 acres on Bodkin Creek property in Pasadena, Maryland. $175,296.

Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grants

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.

Blue Water Baltimore: for the creation of a short video regarding green infrastructure and how residents can participate in reducing stormwater runoff in their communities. $5,000.

Christian Liberty Church: for a community clean-up event and installation of a mural connecting faith, clean water, and environmental stewardship. $5,000.

Gwynn Oak United Methodist Church: for the installation of a native plant garden, a native tree, and three rain barrels and a workshop regarding the importance of native plants and water harvesting for capturing and treating stormwater. $5,000.

Project Bright Future: for a series of workshops about community health and ways to reduce stormwater runoff and four community clean-up events. $4,985.

Saint Elizabeth School, Inc.: for the installation of two cisterns and pumps to control runoff from horticultural building and hands-on learning experiences. $3,807.

Saint Matthias Catholic Church: for a series of lectures on the importance of trees and their connection to watershed health and for a park clean-up and field trip to Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary with congregation members. $5,000.

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church: for a native plant and shrub planting, community garden installation, and educational activities on the topics of natural resource and water quality challenges. $4,977.

Stillmeadow Community Fellowship: for the installation of four 150-gallon cisterns to capture stormwater runoff from the church roof and for educational workshops regarding stormwater impacts to local waterways and how communities can install and maintain individual, residential rain barrels. $4,999.

Tilghman on Chesapeake Community Association: for the installation of 21 native trees on a 2-acre non-tidal wetland site and educational activities regarding watershed health and water quality topics. $3,969.

Environmental Education Mini Grants

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 information about this grant program click here.

Alice Ferguson Foundation: for 25 third through eighth grade teachers in Prince George’s, Charles, and Allegany Counties to participate in a professional development training focused on Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences. $5,000.

Bethesda Green: for 12 eleventh and twelfth grade students from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Walt Whitman High School and Walter Johnson High School to participate in an Environmental Leadership Program. $5,000.

Dance Exchange: for 15 kindergarten through fifth grade teachers to participate in a professional development training focused on MWEEs and arts integration. $5,000.

Eastport Elementary PTA: for the installation of an outdoor classroom at Eastport Elementary School. $4,938.

Fenix Youth Project: for 25 students in Salisbury, Maryland to participate in an outdoor investigation and install a mural. $4,998.

Graceland Park O’Donnell Heights Elementary/ Middle School: for 240 fourth through eighth grade students to participate in a field experience and complete an action project in their community. $4,570.

Grasonville Elementary School: for 88 fourth grade students to research, design, and plant a rain garden on the school grounds. $4,462.

Howard County Conservancy, Inc.: for 9th graders from Howard County Public Schools to participate in the Watershed Report Card MWEE. $4,989.

Immaculate Conception School: for 108 fourth and fifth grade students to investigate local issues that impact the Jones Falls watershed and its tributaries through classroom research and field trips to local tributaries and to participate in an action project which reduces pollution entering the local watershed.  $5,000.

Lesley and Evelyn Holmes Foundation: for 5 students in nineth through twelfth grade to participate in a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience. $1,162.

Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE): for 60 teachers to participate in a professional development training focused on outdoor classroom use. $5,000.

One Montgomery Green: for 40 high school students to participate in the Clean Headwaters Program. $5,000.

Ridge Elementary School: for 112 third through fifth grade students to participate in the installation of an outdoor classroom. $5,000.

Talbot County Public Schools: for 354 sixth grade students to participate in an investigation focused on water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and to complete a planting at Pickering Creek. $5,000.

November 2020

Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grants

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.

Havre de Grace Green Team: for the expansion of the Todd Park Food Forest and for a workshop to build knowledge on environmentally sustainable food-growing practices. $4,967.

Quail Meadow community Association, Inc.: for the installation of native plantings along the edge of the Quail Meadow community pond in Carroll County, Maryland. $4,971.

Tanglewood Homeowners Association: for the replacement of four Bradford Pear trees with 12 native trees in the Tanglewood community of Columbia and the engagement of the community in the planting and knowledge building on the ecological importance of native plants. $4,682.

4STEPS Therapeutic Riding Program: for ten special needs, at-risk teenagers and young adults to participate in a horseback reptile surveying project that includes watershed and ecological health education. $5,000.

EPA Goal Implementation Team - Environmental Education

This funding opportunity arose out of the urgent need to provide financial assistance to nonprofit environmental education providers throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as their operations pivoted from place-based environmental education to virtual platforms and physically distanced schoolyard programs. For information about this program click here.

Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park: to support the adaptations and implementation of the Box of Rain and School In Nature programs. $20,000.

Blue Sky Fund: to support the adaptations and implementation of the Explorers program for third, fourth, and fifth grade students at Richmond Public Schools. $20,000.

Boxerwood Education Association: to support the NEST program for students in Rockbridge County, VA. $19,990.

ECO City Farms: to support transitioning educational offerings to virtual and into at-home kits for 3,000 Prince George’s County students. $20,000.

Friends of Peirce Mill: for support of an online program for third graders in the District of Columbia including live lessons and a virtual field trip. $7,200.

Friends of the National Arboretum: to support distribution of Grow-at-Home kits for 2,000 students and 6 safely distanced Arboretum Family Days in the U.S. National Arboretum for high-needs school communities. $19,985.

Living Classrooms Foundation: to support the adaptations and implementation of a virtual SLURRP (School Leadership in Urban Runoff Reduction Project) program for fourth and fifth grade students in South Baltimore. $19,998.

Stroud Water Research Center: to support the adaptation and implementation of virtual Environmental Education programs, and the creation of a Pennsylvania Watershed Literacy and Resources website. $14,442.

Ward Foundation: to enable the Ward Museum to continue serving regional children and teachers via new socially distanced, virtual, and hybrid programs. $17,785.

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.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: for an 11-acre reforestation project in Harford County, Maryland. $49,958.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: for the conversion of agricultural land into meadow at Serenity Farm and associated outreach efforts for the development and planning of future meadow projects in Charles County. $41,777.

Anacostia Riverkeeper: for outreach to Latinx faith-based organizations to raise awareness on the health risks of local fish consumption and other relationships between environmental and human health. $25,963.

Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park: for the creation and installation of educational signage for Chesapeake Bay watershed learning stations at Annapolis Maritime Museum’s two waterfront campuses and for an eight-part series of adult programs that connect adults with the history, health, and future of the watershed. $29,209.

Asbury Foundation: for the engagement of Asbury Methodist Village residents in tree plantings and workshops designed to increase understanding of watershed health. $30,000.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for support of the Plant it Forward program to train community members and landscape professionals about conservation landscaping and benefits of native plants in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties. $30,000.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for 80 Montgomery county community members to participate in a bilingual Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience. $20,836.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for experiences in nature for veterans through community environmental education programs along a wheelchair-accessible, streamside nature trail at 40-acre Woodend Nature Sanctuary. $10,126.

Baltimore City Department of Planning: for planting 32 trees in the Boyd-Booth community in Baltimore City, Maryland. $21,472.

Baltimore Green Space: for invasive species removal at Springfield Woods. $49,420.

Blue Water Baltimore: for planting 150 trees and associated outreach efforts in the Cherry Hill neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland. $49,999.

Blue Water Baltimore: for a pilot campaign to educate Belair-Edison and Cherry Hill residents on the causes of sewage backups, the impacts to water quality, and the resources that exist to address the issue. $30,000.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: for wetland restoration in Kent County, Maryland. $46,068.

Civic Works, Inc.: for a certification-based stormwater management training for 12 Baltimore City residents from historically excluded communities. $30,000.

The Community Ecology Institute: for the installation of best management practices and associated outreach efforts at Freetown Farm. $75,000.

Corner Team, Inc.: for the installation and maintenance of a pollinator garden with assistance from residents and members of Corner Team Boxing & Fitness Center. $5,757.

Defensores de la Cuenca: for outreach and engagement efforts to promote environmental stewardship within the Latinx community in Charles County. $21,391.

Ducks Unlimited, Inc.: for targeted outreach and education of agricultural landowners and producers on Maryland’s eastern shore. $29,691.

Friends of the Patapsco Valley Heritage Greenway, Inc.: for outreach and engagement efforts to promote environmental stewardship within the Latinx and Korean communities in Ellicott City, Maryland. $25,000.

Friends of the Patapsco Valley State Park Ltd: for support for Spanish speaking staff to lead Spanish educational programming for Latinx visitors focused on watershed and natural resource topics. $16,000.

Gunpowder Riverkeeper: for support for the Clear Choices Clean Water Harford program. $15,000.

Howard County Conservancy, Inc.: for the planting of a soft edge habitat with native trees and shrubs to support greater wildlife diversity and further protect the watershed along the border of the Howard County Conservancy and the historic Mt. Pleasant Farmstead in Woodstock, Maryland. $25,130.

Howard EcoWorks: for the engagement of individual property owners and communities in restoration projects to enhance ecosystem services and strengthen the resiliency of the communities. $22,000.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for the training of individuals to develop green teams and produce an Action Plan for faith-based organizations located in Baltimore City, Maryland. $13,124.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for the development of green teams at faith-based organizations in Gaithersburg, Maryland. $12,973.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for the continued support of the Interfaith Green Leaders Training in Howard County. $12,000.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for continued Green Team Leader support of Harford County faith-based communities. $11,673.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for support of the Green Team Leadership Development Program to educate residents about watershed restoration and train congregation members with the goal of developing green teams in the City of Salisbury. $6,892.

Izaak Walton League of America (The): for support of the Winter Salt Watch program in Gaithersburg, Maryland. $30,923.

McDaniel College: for a forest and wetland restoration and the installation of a student-focused educational signage project at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. $35,000.

Mid-shore Community Foundation: for members of three disenfranchised communities in the Choptank watershed to participate in community meetings and site visits to identify natural resource concerns and develop community restoration plans to address issues. $16,126.

The Nature Conservancy: for field days and coaching sessions with Harford County farmers to identify and implement practices to improve their operations with advanced nutrient management and precision agriculture technologies. $29,953.

NeighborSpace of Baltimore County, Inc.: for impervious surface removal, native plantings, and rain garden installation at Flannery Lane Park in Towson, Maryland. $35,000.

Oyster Recovery Partnership, Inc.: for the Marylanders Grow Oysters program through the Oyster Recovery Partnership and its community-based partners to recruit waterfront communities and homeowners near Maryland tributaries to donate their time, effort, and dock to care for cages of juvenile oysters until they mature. $49,999.

Patterson Park Audubon Center: for the growth of the Baltimore Bird Ambassador project to reach 400 Latinx community members. $29,700.

Pearlstone Conference & Retreat Center: for a bioretention and water stewardship outreach project at the Pearlstone Conference & Retreat Center in Reisterstown, Maryland. $30,602.

Pickering Creek Audubon Center: for a residential native plant outreach and awareness project in Talbot and Dorchester Counties. $29,726.

Potomac Conservancy: for support of the Volunteer Leadership Team to recruit and train volunteer leaders to organize and lead native seed collection events in neighborhoods and public lands in Montgomery and Frederick Counties. $29,262.

ReBUILD Metro, Inc.: for the creation of the East Preston Pocket Park and to train 30 local green team leaders and volunteers in greenspace stewardship and maintenance techniques $36,775.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church: for the removal of impervious surface and replacement with permeable pavement, installation of native plantings, and associated outreach efforts at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. $64,358.

ShoreRivers: for establishing a partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Anne Arundel Community College, and Washington College to restore 24 acres of submerged aquatic vegetation and to provide new hands-on volunteer opportunities to improve water quality and clarity, increase of aquatic habitat, and to help meet the Chesapeake Bay Agreement habitat restoration goal. $63,446.

ShoreRivers: for the engagement of two Eastern Shore communities in the implementation of conservation planting projects, two River-Friendly Yards workshops, and one bus tour. $31,859.

Susquehannock Wildlife Society, Inc.: for an outreach program and the development and installation of interpretive signage focused on demonstration projects and how residents can create similar elements such as pollinator meadows, rain gardens, vernal pool, and stream restoration. $5,000.

University of Maryland, College Park: for the collection and testing of harvested rainwater and an educational program for urban growers and residents focused on water quality and water conservation topics. $29,985.

University of Maryland: Environmental Finance Center: for support of the Stormwater Management Residential Action Framework and Outreach 2.0 Campaign. $29,999.

Sponsorship

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.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for support of the third Naturally Latinos and fourth Taking Nature Black virtual conferences. $2,500.

Harford Land Trust, Inc.: for an awareness campaign to increase support for farmland preservation and to strengthen the local food supply chain in Harford County. This effort will also create a video featuring farmers and the importance of protecting the environment. $1,000.

Maryland Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers: for support of the 2020 Maryland Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers virtual conference. $1,000.

Watershed Assistance Grant Program

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 information about this program click here.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for design of stormwater management practices at St. Mark United Methodist Church., $16,521.00.

Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.: for design of the FC Frederick stream restoration project., $173,926.00.

Central Baltimore Partnership: for design of the Union Craft wetland project., $48,127.00.

Chesapeake Rivers Association, Inc.: for design of the Lindamoor outfall and living shoreline restoration project., $74,837.00.

Churchville Presbyterian Congregation: for the design of two stormwater management practices., $13,400.00.

County Commissioners of Caroline County: for design of rain gardens and conservation plantings at the Jonestown Community Park., $2,850.00.

John Carroll School: for development of a campus greening plan and design of stormwater management practices., $92,840.00.

Maryland Coastal Bays Program: for development of a watershed action plan for the Newport, Sinepuxent, and Chincoteague Bays sub-watersheds., $73,070.00.

ShoreRivers: for development of the Poor House Run assessment and plan., $52,956.00.

ShoreRivers: for design and permitting of the Sears Farm stream restoration project., $81,896.00.

ShoreRivers: for development of the Bayside Creeks watershed management plan., $49,903.00.

ShoreRivers: for the development of dairy conservation action plans for five Maryland Eastern Shore dairy operations., $52,238.00.ShoreRivers: for the design and permitting of the Turners Creek stream restoration project., $110,000.00.

ShoreRivers: for design of bioswale facilities at the Community Park in Galena., $17,996.00.

Spa Creek Conservancy (SCC): for engagement of residents at the Housing Authority of City of Annapolis (HACA) to develop a community plan for Hawkins Cove., $60,000.00.

The Low Impact Development Center, Inc.: for development of a stormwater master plan for the Town of Cheverly, Maryland., $50,000.00.

Town of Emmitsburg: for design and permitting of the Silo Hill detention basin restoration project., $34,000.00.

Towson Presbyterian Church: for design of two rain gardens and a cistern system at the Church., $35,509.00.

Trout Unlimited Inc.: for design of the Sand Spring Run stream restoration project., $114,411.00.

University of Maryland College Park: for design of the Campus Creek restoration and Pond Retrofit projects., $180,000.00.

February 2021

Capacity Building Initiative Grant Program

The Capacity Building Initiative (CBI) is a joint initiative from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Chesapeake Bay Funders Network. CBI seeks to build the organizational capacity of natural resource focused nonprofit organizations working in the Chesapeake, Coastal Bays, and Youghiogheny watersheds. This program funds key capacity building strategies vital to establishing a strong base, including (but not limited to) the development of robust financial plans to modify or diversify organizational revenue sources and collaboration among organizations. For information about this grant program click here.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: for contractual support to develop a fundraising plan that will diversify revenue sources. $30,000.

Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley: for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice training and capacity building. $29,950.

Anacostia Watershed Society: for contractual services to support assessment and development of an organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice plan. $30,000.

Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy: for contractual services for a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice assessment and plan. $30,000.

Capital Region Land Conservancy: for contractual assessment, training, and planning to build diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice capacity. $30,000.

Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council: for the development of a new strategic plan and adaptation of the certificate course. $10,681.

Citizens For Pennsylvania’s Future: for a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice plan. $29,732.

Conservation Foundation of Lancaster County: for collaborative capacity building and survey work. $26,250.

EcoLatinos, Inc.: for a fundraising plan and board education to support fundraising efforts. $29,980.

Friends of the Rappahannock: for the creation of a fundraising plan, updates to the customer relationship management system, and staff training. $10,247.

Harford Land Trust, Inc.: for a group of urban and rural land trusts to learn together and increase fundraising capacity. $30,000.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for an adaptive capacity building project to create a spatial data set of faith-owned properties in Maryland and Lancaster Pennsylvania. $29,934.

Lancaster Farmland Trust: for analysis of technology needs and implementation of technology upgrades to enhance engagement programs. $27,780.

National Wildlife Federation: for four leadership and management trainings for the Young Professionals of Color mentorship program. $30,000.

Northern Virginia Conservation Trust: for the development of a strategic conservation plan. $17,249.

Otter Point Creek Alliance: for website design and re-branding. $24,250.

Oyster Recovery Partnership, Inc.: for contractual services for a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice assessment and plan and an updated constituent relationship management system. $30,000.

Potomac Conservancy: for anti-racism training for board members and integration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice strategies into the strategic plan and organization processes. $30,000.

Potomac Riverkeeper Network: for contractual services for a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice assessment and training. $29,998.

Scenic Rivers Land Trust, Inc.: for executive leadership training. $15,000.

West Virginia Rivers Coalition: for improved social media and virtual communications. $12,480.

Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Award Program

The Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Award Program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance and the Chesapeake Bay Trust that funds projects that meet any of the following three goals: increase knowledge about oyster fisheries or oyster aquaculture, advance in small-scale technologies for either increasing oyster population or oyster aquaculture, and increase in oyster fishery or aquaculture measurement/monitoring techniques or activities. For information about this grant program click here.

Friends of the Rappahannock: for an educational program, to increase knowledge about oyster aquaculture and health among landowners and local stakeholders within the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula of Virginia. $4,715.

Hoopers Island Oyster Company: for a setting trailer prototype to allow oyster production to begin earlier in the season and in a ‘bio-safe’ environment that reduces risk of disease. $4,997.

James River Association: for an educational program for K-12 students in the Newport News public school system. $4,969.

Morgan State University – Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory: for the development of a series of educational videos about oysters. $4,810.

Nansemond Indian Tribal Association: for the development of educational materials for K-12 students in the Hampton Roads area. $5,000.

Severn River Association, Inc.: for the creation of the Oyster Reef Dive Program to enhance reef monitoring. $5,000.

Virginia Institute of Marine Science: for the expansion of a post-settlement oyster monitoring program. $5,000.

Washington College: for the creation of an oyster focused curriculum for 9-12th grade students. $4,487.

Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grants

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.

City of Frederick: for the installation of six raised garden beds and one rain barrel to promote community wellness through sustainable, local food supplies and water conservation practices. $3,800.

College of Southern Maryland: for support of a pilot Butterflies for a Better Bay program, which will involve the creation of five native gardens and outreach and education events to engage families in the fostering of Monarch butterflies. $4,998.

Cottage City: for enhancement of the Cottage City Community Garden through the installation of rain barrels, a pergola, and a green house. $2,500.

Delaware Maryland Synod ELCA: for planting 80 trees on congregation properties throughout Maryland, with a focus on the intersection of the environmental and spiritual values of stewardship. $4,984.

Southern Maryland Audubon Society: for the creation of two community gardens at the Dorchester Community center and workshops to demonstrate the importance of native plants. $5,000.

The High 5 Initiative, Inc.: for six community cleanup events focused on the Susquehanna, North East and Elk Rivers in Cecil County, Maryland. $5,000.

Tilghman on Chesapeake Community Association: for the implementation of phase 2 of the Island Club Preserve non-tidal wetland restoration project, to plant 10 additional native trees and 116 native shrubs on community property. $3,814.

Town of Thurmont: for a residential rain barrel distribution program and a workshop to educate residents on water quality topics and strategies for stormwater management to reduce runoff. $1,250.

Tuscany Lombardy Community: for the removal of invasive species and replacement with native trees and plants on the historic Tuscany Lombardy Community property and the creation of a video to promote this project by local students. $4,500.

Environmental Education Grant Program

The Environmental Education Grant Program funds initiatives and programs that advance environmental literacy and result in students gaining the knowledge, skills, and appreciation for nature to take responsible actions to protect and restore their local environment. For information about this grant program click here.

Adkins Arboretum: for a sustainable partnership with ShoreRivers that will advance organizational capacity to provide environmental literacy programs and teacher professional development. $29,889.

Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park: for an outdoor classroom at Back Creek Nature Park. $13,000.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center: for an environmental literacy program focused on the Severn River for all 9th graders in the Environmental Science course. $73,620.

Backyard Basecamp, Inc.: for an outdoor classroom at BLISS Meadows. $13,850.

Dance Exchange: for an arts-integrated environmental literacy pilot for kindergarten students in Prince George’s County Public Schools. $30,319.

ShoreRivers: for an environmental literacy program for all 4th and 9th graders at Kent County Public Schools. $119,915.

ShoreRivers: for an outdoor classroom at New Directions Learning Academy. $20,000.

Washington County Public Schools: for the integration of Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) in 2nd and 6th grade at Washington County Public Schools. $39,952.

Worcester County Public Schools: for a district-wide environmental literacy plan and program for all 9th and 10th graders. $109,455.

Montgomery County Watershed Restoration Outreach Grant Program

The Montgomery County Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant Program is a partnership between the Montgomery County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust that funds public outreach and stewardship projects, community-based restoration water quality implementation projects, and litter reduction projects in the Anacostia River Watershed through trash trap maintenance and monitoring. For information about this grant program click here.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: for green infrastructure practices and a watershed outreach project. $90,000.

Anacostia Riverkeeper: for green infrastructure practices at two sites in the Anacostia Watershed. $62,000.

Anacostia Riverkeeper: for Sligo Creek water quality monitoring. $30,242.

Anacostia Riverkeeper: for trash trap maintenance and monitoring. $50,000.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for a conservation landscape training program for LatinX residents. $29,983.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for a watershed stewardship engagement project for the LatinX community. $20,836.

Bannockburn Community Club: for an impervious surface removal and green infrastructure project. $50,000.

Casey Trees: for a street tree project. $75,000.

Friends of Sligo Creek: for green infrastructure practices at the Carolyn Condominium. $60,061.

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC): for a virtual watershed restoration training program. $9,571.

Little Falls Watershed Alliance: for an innovative water quality monitoring project using autonomous environmental robots. $30,000.

Little Falls Watershed Alliance: for a permeable paver project in the Overlook Community. $32,635.

National Wildlife Federation: for al native plant outreach project for the faith-based community. $49,953.

Potomac Riverkeeper Network: for delivery of a watershed stewardship and pollution awareness campaign. $29,998.

University System of Maryland Foundation, Inc.: for a green infrastructure design plan for the Glenwood Recreation Club. $20,000.

Prince George's County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program

The Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program is a partnership between the Prince George’s County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust to fund on-the-ground restoration activities that improve neighborhoods, improve water quality, and engage Prince George’s County residents in the restoration and protection of the local rivers and streams of Prince George’s County. For information about this grant program click here.

Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization Community Development Corporation, Inc.: for planting 300 trees on residential properties and a community event on the importance of tree planting. $133,736.

Centro de Apoyo Familiar: for a stewardship-building community engagement program on stormwater runoff issues and the Rain Check Rebate program. $15,000.

City of Hyattsville: for a green alleyway design that uses permeable pavers and serves as a pilot project that can be replicated. $36,702.

City of Mount Rainier: for the installation of 16 rain gardens along 30th Avenue and 33rd Avenue rights-of-way. $142,441.

Defensores de la Cuenca: for the plan to develop a future “Academia de Defensores de Cuencas” that will train Spanish-speaking residents on watershed-health issues and restoration projects. $15,000.

EcoLatinos, Inc.: for the promotion of the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program to Spanish-speaking residents. $29,748.

Mount Rainier Elementary School PTO: for removal of impervious surface. $5,000.

National Wildlife Federation: for a multi-faith effort to promote stormwater management resources through a faith based “Caring for Creation” approach. $29,999.

Neighborhood Design Center: for a virtual, maintenance-focused program aimed at youth and fostering green career-building connections. $30,000.

Town of Edmonston: for the installation of 10 rain gardens on Gallatin Street. $142,803.

Washington Area Bicyclist Association: for planning bilingual litter cleanups and bike rides to increase awareness of local natural resources and to promote stewardship. $5,000.

Sponsorship

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.

Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE): for support of the 36th annual Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education conference. $1,000.

May 2021

Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration

The Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program is a partnership between the Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration, the City of Annapolis, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. This program funds projects to reduce pollutants through the implementation of watershed restoration practices. Projects must accomplish on-the-ground restoration that treats rainwater runoff from impervious surfaces or demonstrates the accomplishment of another metric that will help the County and City meet local water quality and runoff reduction improvement goals. For more information about this grant program, click here.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for the implementation of water quality improvement practice that includes daylighting a 252-foot storm drainpipe and replacement with a riparian floodplain and pilot channel to provide water quality treatment, new pollinator habitat, and flood control. $298,665.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for the restoration of approximately 1,000 linear feet of stream in Caffrey Run, a tributary to Harness Creek in the South River Watershed and located in Quiet Waters Park. $221,960.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for the restoration of 1,686 linear feet of stream in Broad Creek within the South River through Regenerative Stream Conveyance and valley restoration to reconnect the stream to its floodplain, increase flood attenuation, reduce nutrient and sediment outputs, and enhance wetland habitat. $302,569.

Cedar Ridge Homes Association: for the implementation of the Green Alley 2 project to control flooding and degradation issues within the alley, reduce runoff to Chesapeake Bay, beautify the common area, and to educate neighbors on taking steps in their own backyards to help further mitigate stormwater issues. $55,476.

Chesapeake Rivers Association, Inc.: for the design and permitting of the Back Creek Headwaters Restoration Project, which includes both the Phase I Annapolis Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) design project and the Phase II Mariner’s Point Community Association design project. $169,969.

Chesapeake Rivers Association, Inc.: for implementation of a Regenerative Stream Channel (RSC) to provide greater nutrient processing and improved connection to the floodplains/ wetlands, decommission the existing dam, and removal of the riser and pipe to replace the failing piped technology with current best management restoration practices. $274,880.

The Tecumseh Condominium: for the development of a Stormwater Management Design Plan for the Tecumseh Condominium community. $32,250.

Chesapeake Conservation Corps Projects

The Chesapeake Conservation Corps is a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, BGE an Exelon Company, the National Park Service, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. The Corps is a leadership program that provides young adults (ages 18-25) with hands-on environmental and leadership experience through placements with nonprofit or government agencies for one-year terms of service in the Chesapeake Bay region. To learn more about this program, click here.

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: for a community engagement project focused on native pollinators. $1,031.

Amazing Grace Lutheran Church: for the restoration of green space at Amazing Port Street Commons. $1,101.

American Chestnut Land Trust: for the creation of educational materials and a monitoring program about native amphibians. $1,249.

American Chestnut Land Trust: for invasive species removal and trail maintenance at an All Hands on Deck Event for the Chesapeake Conservation Corps 2021 cohort. $1,500.

Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center: to provide students access to an “outdoor window” during virtual learning and severe weather events. $1,250.

Audubon Naturalist Society of the Central Atlantic States, Inc.: for the removal of invasive pachysandra and planting of native trees. $1,240.

Baltimore Tree Trust: for the implementation of a transgender memorial tree planting project. $1,250.

Camp Puh’tok for Boys and Girls, Inc.: for a MWEE focused All Hands on Deck Event with the Chesapeake Conservation Corps 2021 cohort. $1,468.

Camp Puh’tok for Boys and Girls, Inc.: for wetland and pond restoration educational signage. $1,250.

Friends of Gwynns Falls / Leakin Park: for a mural and outdoor educational signage. $1,215.

The Izaak Walton League of America: for water quality monitoring at Muddy Branch stream. $459.

Lower Shore Land Trust: for the restoration of Olive Lippoldt Tidal Wetland Garden. $1,250.

Maryland Coastal Bays Program: for the creation of educational materials focused on a new terrapin nesting site. $1,250.

Maryland Coastal Bays Program: for the creation of terrapin nesting sites at an All Hands on Deck Event with the Chesapeake Conservation Corps 2021 cohort. $1,500.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR): for the creation of a mussel monitoring and restoration program. $1,119.

National Aquarium: for the Jonestown Marine Debris Initiative, a plastics and litter community evaluation. $1,250.

National Wildlife Federation: for the creation of a nature play space. $1,250.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway, Inc: for the creation of a water quality map, and the identification of gaps in data and new monitoring sites. $1,250.

Severn River Association, Inc.: for the creation of an oyster reef monitoring program. $902.

Severn River Association, Inc.: for a land survey education All Hands on Deck Event with the Chesapeake Conservation Corps 2021 cohort. $1,496.

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center: for the public engagement about, and monitoring of, the river otter. $1,250.

Sultana Education Foundation: for the creation of a hydroponics and aquaponics exhibit. $1,250.

The Nature Conservancy: for a study of pyrogenic carbon in soils at the Nassawango Creek Preserve. $1,250.

Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grants

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.

3200 Carlisle Block Association, Inc.: for planting 30 street trees to raise awareness and to reduce stormwater runoff. $5,000.

Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church: for the installation of two cisterns and conservation landscaping. $4,990.

C.A.R.E. Community Association: for the transformation of a vacant lot into a pollinator garden. $4,821.

Laurel For the Patuxent, Inc.: for a pollinator garden at Sweitzer Park and a campaign to promote residential conservation landscaping. $4,671.

Magothy Meadows Homeowners Association: to plant 18 native trees and 10 shrubs. $2,945.

Nature Worx, Inc.: for nature-based group sessions to promote well-being and environmental stewardship amongst Brooklyn residents. $4,900.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: for listening sessions and guided tours to gain residential input on the Baltimore Greenway. $5,000.

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church: for the enhancement of an existing native conservation landscaping and information sessions on the importance of native plants. $2,992.

Townhomes at the Pointe I: for a 2,000 square foot rain garden and native tree installation to treat stormwater runoff. $4,553.

District of Columbia Urban Agriculture Small Grants Program

The District of Columbia Urban Agriculture Small Grants Program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment Office of Urban Agriculture. This grant program seeks to provide funding to building capacity for crop production and distribution, and to increase knowledge within farmers and District residents through agricultural education experiences. To learn more about this grant program, click here.

Designgreen LLC: for utility and topographic surveys to further develop a community green space concept plan, production of a mini documentary including resident interviews, and support for student internship projects as connected to the original Takoma Community Collaborative project. $4,960.

National Wildlife Federation: for the creation of a cohort of three churches, development of a planting plan, and an additional workshop for Ward 7 and 8 congregations on the RiverSmart Communities Program as connected to the original Sacred Grounds project. $4,893.

Near Southeast Community Partners: for the addition of educational sessions,one field trip, and one online training video for participants of a stormwater management workforce training as connected to the original Green Career Training for DC Latinos project. $3,600.

The Green Scheme: for an educational video and increased outreach to residents living near Oxon Run as connected to the original Ward 8 Water Watchers project. $5,000.

Urban Learning and Teaching Center: for the addition of outdoor programming for Cleveland Elementary School’s fourth and fifth grade students as connected ot the original Waterway Guardians in Shaw project. $5,005.

Ward 8 Woods Conservancy: for increased activity days involving litter clean up and invasive species removal by park stewards as conencted to the original Restore Fort Stanton Park project. $4,994.

Environmental Education Mini Grants

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 information about this grant program click here.

Achilles Elementary School: for 380 pre-k through twelfth graders to learn about healthy ecosystems and waterways. $2,685.

Anacostia Watershed Society: for 200 elementary students to learn about stormwater runoff and watershed health. $4,876.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center: for arts and environmental education professional development for 30 teachers. $5,000.

Arlington Elementary Middle School #234: for 350 students to investigate the importance of soil health and impacts of stormwater. $5,000.

Blue Sky Fund: for 925 fourth graders to investigate the water quality in the James River watershed. $5,000.

Crow’s Nest Research Center: for environmental education professional development for 12 teachers. $5,000.

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s Sassafras Environmental Education Center: for 435 tenth and eleventh graders to conduct water quality investigations on Turners Creek. $5,000.

Fairfax County Park Foundation Inc.,: for 2,250 fourth and fifth graders to learn about watershed health and plant native plants. $5,000.

Friends of Richmond Community High School: for 75 ninth and tenth graders to investigate climate change impacts on the health of local waterways. $5,000.

Garrett Heights Elementary Middle School: for 326 pre-k through eighth graders to install an outdoor classroom and paint storm drains. $5,000.

Irvine Nature Center: for 30 students to learn about local biodiversity. $4,780.

James River Association: for 200 fifth graders in Henrico County Public Schools to study stormwater pollution and paint storm drains. $5,000.

James River Association: for 10th through 12th graders from Newport News Public Schools to learn about oysters and micro-plastics. $4,999.

James River Association: for 300 students to study stormwater pollution and 25 teachers to receive environmental education professional development training. $5,000.

Lacawac Sanctuary: for third through fifth graders in Wayne County to investigate the health of and human impacts on the Lacawac River. $5,000.

Live It Learn It: for 200 fifth graders to investigate and reduce plastic pollution in the Anacostia River. $5,000.

Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE): for outdoor education professional development for 25 middle school teachers. $4,995.

One Montgomery Green: for 25 students to learn how to reduce plastic waste. $5,000.

Severn River Association, Inc.: for 100 students to learn about local watershed health. $4,957.

Skyline High School: for students to learn about sustainable agriculture and plant a pollinator garden. $5,000.

St. Martins-in the-Field Episcopal School: for 227 students to learn about the impact of food systems and install a garden. $5,000.

St. Peter’s Episcopal School: for the installation of an outdoor classroom. $4,750.

The Banner School, Inc.: for 155 kindergarten through eighth graders to install native plants to decrease stormwater pollution. $3,154.

The Springwell School, Inc.: for 15 students to learn about composting and sustainable agriculture. $5,000.

Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School: for 70 eighth graders to study marine debris issues. $5,000.

Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School: for 60 seventh graders to study marine debris issues. $5,000.

Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School: for 50 sixth graders to study marine debris issues. $5,000.

EPA Goal Implementation Team Project Support

The EPA 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 program click here.

Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.: for Scope 5- management approaches to reduce stressors of stream health. $47,500.

Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.: for Scope 3- maintaining forests in stream corridor restoration and sharing lessons learned. $90,000.

Chesapeake Conservancy: for Scope 11- cultivating and strengthening partnerships with underrepresented stakeholders. $65,000.

Eastern Research Group, Inc.: for Scope 4- planning for clean water- local government workshops. $69,983.

OpinionWorks LLC: for Scope 1- public access research. $74,692.

Skeo Solutions, Inc.: for Scope 10- developing standards and metrics to target the conservation of “green spaces” in underrepresented and low-income urban and rural communities. $69,943.

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES): for Scope 2- a social science road map for advancing Chesapeake Bay Program partnership goals. $74,990.

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES): for Scope 12- cost effective denitrification measurement in oyster reefs. $80,000.

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES): for Scope 7- forage indicator development- using environmental drivers to assess forage status. $60,000.

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William & Mary: for Scope 8- synthesis of shoreline, sea level rise, and marsh migration data for wetland restoration targeting. $72,418.

Virginia Institute of Marine Science, School of Marine Science, College of William & Mary: for Scope 6- modeling climate impacts on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the Chesapeake Bay. $75,000.

Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns

The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Grant Program is a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. This program is designed to help communities develop and implement plans that reduce stormwater runoff, increase the number and amount of green spaces in urban areas, improve the health of local streams and the Chesapeake Bay, and enhance quality of life and community livability. To learn more about this grant program, click here.

Backyard Basecamp, Inc.: for green infrastructure practices at BLISS Meadows in Baltimore, Maryland. $45,465.

Bolton Hill Community Association: for a green streets concept plan for the Bolton Hill and Madison Park communities in Baltimore City. $15,000.

Bon Secours Unity Properties: for a community greening project in Baltimore, Maryland. $34,065.

Capon Bridge Revitalization Group, Inc.: for green infrastructure practices in Capon Bridge, West Virginia. $78,500.

Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.: for a stormwater retrofit pollution load reduction calculator. $16,365.

City of Annapolis: for green infrastructure design and implementation in Annapolis, Maryland. $65,000.

City of Frederick: for a green infrastructure master plan in Frederick, Maryland. $15,000.

City of Hyattsville: for a green streets concept plan in Hyattsville, Maryland. $15,000.

City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania: for green infrastructure practices in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. $151,251.

City of Salisbury: for green infrastructure practices in Salisbury, Maryland. $100,000.

Civic Works, Inc.: for a vacant lot greening project in South Clifton Park. $16,500.

Commissioners of Ridgely: for a green streets concept plan for the Town of Ridgely, Maryland. $14,940.

International City County Management Association: for a white paper on local government resrouces for financing green infrastructure practices. $19,750.

Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc.: for a green infrastructure master plan for the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland. $30,000.

Nanticoke Watershed Alliance: for green infrastructure practices in Seaford, Delaware. $100,000.

Nature Sacred: for a white paper on the health-economics-based case for incorporating nature and green infrastructure into hospitals and other health-facility grounds. $20,000.

Neighborhood Design Center: for a green infrastructure community culture analysis in Prince Georges County, Maryland. $15,000.

Oxford Borough: for a green infrastructure concept plan for Oxford, Pennsylvania. $14,847.

Prince George’s County, Maryland: for a green infrastructure design and community greening project in Mt. Rainier, Maryland. $80,000.

ReBUILD Metro, Inc. (f/k/a TRF Development Partners, Inc.): for a green infrastructure master plan for Greenmount Park in Baltimore City. $15,000.

Ridge to Reefs: for green infrastructure practices in Park Heights, Maryland. $50,000.

Seton Hill Association, Inc.: for a tree planting project in the Seton Hill Community in Baltimore City. $15,283.

ShoreRivers: for a green infrastructure concept plan for Saint Mary Refuge of Sinners and Star of the Sea Parish in Cambridge, Maryland. $12,432.

ShoreRivers: for green infrastructure practices at Washington College, in Chestertown, Maryland. $89,802.

The 6th Branch: for a tree nursery and youth workforce training program in Baltimore, Maryland. $47,500.

The Community Ecology Institute: for a green infrastructure engineered design for Atholton High School in Columbia, Maryland. $30,000.

Town of Bath: for green infrastructure practices in Bath, West Virginia. $30,000.

Town of Bel Air: for a green infrastructure concept plan for Bel Air, Maryland. $14,850.

Town of Galena: for a green infrastructure concept plan for Galena, Maryland. $16,750.

Town of Glen Echo: for a green streets concept plan for Glen Echo, Maryland. $14,700.

Town of Laurel: for green infrastructure practices at the Dunbar Building in Laurel, Delaware. $99,000.

University of Maryland College Park: for a green street engineered design in Prince George’s County, Maryland. $20,000.

Pooled Monitoring Initiative

The Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, and other partners announce a Request for Proposals for its Restoration Research award program. The goal of this research program is to answer several key restoration questions that are a barrier to watershed restoration project implementation. To learn more about this grant program, click here.

Ecosystem Planning and Restoration: to research if stream restoration can be done without diverting the stream around the construction site during construction. $354,576.

Tetra Tech, Inc.: to consider future climate change impacts to rainfall patterns and use this to update stormwater designs. $228,436.

The Pennsylvania State University: to assess how well stormwater practices work when too much road salt enters them and what solutions can be used to keep practices working well. $196,183.

University of Maryland Baltimore County: to measure how stormwater management facilities protect aquatic life from hot temperatures. $201,774.

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES): to use a novel method that detects genetic material to assess stream health and restoration success. $193,772.

Sponsorship

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.

Arundel Rivers Federation: for support of the 2021 Half Shell event, to present the State of the Rivers report card. $250.

Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.: for support of the 2021 National Watershed and Stormwater Conference. $1,000.

End Time Harvest Ministries: for the 2021 Port Towns Youth Council (PTYC) and Pathways to Career Success (PTCS) Program virtual graduation scholarship. $1,000.

Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy: for support of the 10th annual Watershed Stewards Academy conference. $1,000.

Forever Maryland Foundation: for support of the 2021 Maryland Land Conservation Conference. $1,000.

Harford Land Trust, Inc.: for a month-long, self-guided event designed to increase awareness and appreciation of local natural resources. $1,000.

Lower Shore Land Trust: for support of events to promote native plants, conservation landscaping, and small-scale practices such as rain barrels and rain gardens. $500.

Neighborhood Creative Arts Center: for support of the 2021 NatureFest. $983.

Watershed Assistance Grant Program

This program supports 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 region. For information about this grant program click here.

Gaiacene Services LLC: for technical assistance services for the Community-Based Organization Capacity Building Initiative. $145,000.

Jan 26
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Project Highlight: ‘Scoop that Poop’ Pet Waste Education Campaign

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In 2017, the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center (EFC) received an award through the Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program to conduct phase II of the Pet Waste Education Campaign. This campaign is an effort to support the broader Pet Waste Management (PWM) Initiative, known as “Scoop That Poop,” launched in 2016 by Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE). To date, over 200 pet waste stations have been installed across more than 40 municipalities and homeowners associations (HOAs) through the PWM Initiative. The Pet Waste Education Campaign carried out by EFC’s Sustainable Maryland team was designed to offer outreach, education, and infrastructure support to increase awareness about the issue of pet waste pollution and to encourage residents to pick up their pet’s waste. The campaign was defined by four major strategies: 1) convening outreach activities focusing on pet waste and stormwater pollution, 2) developing and promoting bilingual outreach education material, 3) deployment of an asset management tool, and 4) identifying locations for and installing pet waste stations.

By the Numbers
1
Pet Waste Video
1
Pet Waste Management Summit
5
Homeowners Associations
7
Municipalities
86
Pet Waste Stations Installed

Pet waste station installed at Tunic Park in Capitol Heights, Maryland.

EFC worked with seven municipalities for this phase of the campaign: Colmar Manor, Hyattsville, Fairmount Heights, Berwyn Heights, Seat Pleasant, Forest Heights, and Capitol Heights. Each municipality received support in identifying pet waste and stormwater management goals, had customized outreach and education plans delivered to them, and received up to 10 pet waste stations each – for a total of 70 pet waste stations! EFC assisted in identifying ideal locations for each station, then the municipalities took the installation of each station into their own hands. Following the installation of the pet waste stations, EFC distributed 100 copies of “Scoop That Poop” brochures and four “Scoop That Poop” car magnets to each of the seven municipalities, which were placed on DPW and code enforcement vehicles. During this project, the municipalities also received support through train-the-trainer sessions, where EFC staff convened and trained key staff, elected officials, and local Green Team members on best practices for talking to residents about pet waste management and stormwater pollution. EFC also worked with five HOAs during phase II: Village Green Mutual Homes Cooperative, East Pines Neighborhood association, Fox Chase I Civic Association, Riverdale RRC Community Association, and Avondale North Woodridge Citizen’s Association. These HOAs received assistance in identifying suitable pet waste station locations. A total of 16 stations were installed amongst the five HOAs.

Locally targeted outreach efforts were complimented with a county-wide Pet Waste Management Summit focused on pet waste and stormwater runoff pollution. Close to 50 attendees participated in this summit, which also provided a platform for phase I municipalities to share experiences and the value of pet waste education, stations, and ongoing monitoring efforts. EFC supported monitoring efforts throughout this project by working with the DoE to build out and enter pet waste station data into a monitoring application. During phase II, EFC was able to collect monitoring data from 13 stations installed in phase I.

Phase II culminated in the creation of an educational pet waste video. This minute-long video explains the harmful impact that pet waste can have on human health when left on the ground. Pet waste that is improperly disposed of can be carried away into local streams and rivers, where it decays and releases excessive nutrients that contribute to decreased oxygen levels. Pet waste bacteria can spread human diseases, making local waters unsafe to swim and fish.

Fortunately, proper disposal of pet waste is easy – especially when the right tools, such as pet waste stations, have been made readily available. Prince George’s County wants you to “Scoop That Poop” for more beautiful, healthier communities and cleaner waterways!

Sep 29
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Pollution Prevention and Water Quality go Hand in Hand

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This past week commemorated the 30th celebration of Pollution Prevention Week, a week focused on educating and mobilizing government agencies, industries, and individuals to play their part in reducing and preventing pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines pollution prevention as “reducing or eliminating waste at the source.” By targeting pollution at its source, less energy and resources are spent in the management and disposal of pollution. Though most of the burden of this source reduction falls on industries and government agencies, individuals can take meaningful steps to reduce pollution at home.

One step we can take is to reduce the amount of trash we are generating. On average, a single person generated 4.51 pounds of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), otherwise known as trash, per day in 2017 which amounts to about 1,700 pounds of trash generated in a single year. The total amount of trash generated in the United States in 2017 was 267.8 million tons, a number that rises each year. Plastic products represented 13.2% of the 267.8 million tons of trash generated, the second highest category of trash produced after paper and paperboard (25%).

Plastic waste poses a serious environmental threat for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed region, as some of this plastic makes its way into our local waterways and eventually into the Bay. Wildlife can be entangled by or ingest plastic, which can ultimately lead to starvation and death. Beyond presenting a direct physical danger to wildlife, plastic products contain or carry several different chemical components, some of which are toxic and slow to degrade. The physical and chemical impacts of plastic pollution lead to weakened ecosystems and waters that are not safe to swim or fish in. However, there are several small but significant steps we can take to protect the health of our communities and increase the quality of local streams and rivers.

One way we can help cut down on plastic pollution is to reduce our use of plastic. Below are a few of the ways we can cut down on our use of plastic products.

  • Bring your own cloth bags to the [store]
  • Go to the farmer’s market and purchase fresh fruits and veggies (not packaged in plastic)
  • Clean with baking soda and vinegar instead of cleaners packaged in plastic
  • Store all your food in glass containers. If you purchase something bottled in glass, clean it and reuse it!
  • Compost your trash, reduce your use of plastic trash bags

The ideas above are just a few small steps you can take to generate less plastic waste. The full list of tips and ideas from Reef Relief can be found here.

Aug 31
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Chesapeake Conservation Corps Profile: Sam Myers & The Nature Conservancy

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Sam coring a white pine as part of her Capstone project to study the impact of historical fires on forest structure at TNC’s Sideling Hill Creek preserve in western Maryland. (Photo: Deborah Landau/TNC)

Participating in the Chesapeake Conservation Corps (Corps) is a unique experience. We are showcasing the individual Conservation Corps members in the 2019-2020 cohort along with information on their host site and descriptions of the incredible work they are doing. This month’s featured Corps member: Sam Myers.

Growing up in Maryland, Sam’s love for the environment was ignited by her experiences in the marshes of the Chesapeake Bay. Sam will always remember her middle school field trip where her class spent time out on the water setting out crab pots, netting fish close to the shore, and mucking in the nearby marsh. She states, “this hands-on learning is what drew me to environmental science and sparked my love for ecology and environmental conservation.” During her time at Washington University in St. Louis, she pursued a degree in environmental studies and worked in their research labs studying plant population ecology and plant pathology. In college, Sam was able to visit the Mojave Desert in California, and Hawaii to study the unique ecology and geology on federally managed lands. Sam also studied abroad in Panama learning about tropical ecology and indigenous resource conservation. Her time traveling helped her realize that there is so much more to learn about the natural world and how different communities work to manage and preserve it.

Chesapeake Conservation Corps members learned how to core trees and helped collect data for Sam’s capstone project at TNC’s Sideling Hill Creek preserve as part of a site visit that she hosted in February.

Upon beginning her time in the Corps, Sam initially wanted to learn about and contribute to environmental conservation projects and spend time working out in the field. She feels lucky to have been placed with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in their Maryland/District of Columbia office where she learned about restoration, land management, and conservation science.

Spanning 79 countries and territories alongside all 50 states, TNC is a science-based organization whose mission is to “conserve the lands and waters on which all life depend” by working with partners to advance conservation locally, regionally, and globally. Sam supports their mission as part of the Land Management team by assisting with controlled burns, monitoring rare plant species, and removing invasive species on their preserves. Sam has been able to work on multiple research projects of her own, including an ecosystem services analysis of TNC’s preserves in Maryland and a Capstone project, which is part of each Corps member’s work plan for the year, and is a graduation requirement.

One of her favorite things to experience (before COVID-19 restrictions were put in place in Maryland) was exploring the different landscapes across the state encapsulated in TNC’s preserves—from the Delmarva bay wetlands on the Eastern Shore to the Central Appalachian forests and montane bogs in western Maryland. Even though she grew up in Maryland, Sam admits, she had no idea of the vastly diverse ecological communities feeding into the treasured Chesapeake Bay.

Assisting with a controlled burn at Plum Creek Cedar Swamp on the Eastern Shore in January 2020. The burn helped to prepare two grass fields for a longleaf pine planting in February. (Photo: Chase McLean/TNC)

For her Capstone project, Sam studied the impact of historical fires on forest structure at TNC’S Sideling Hill Creek preserve in western Maryland. Sideling Hill Creek preserve is an 800-acre oak-pine forest with areas of shale barrens that harbor the unique biodiversity of plants and animals. TNC has been conducting controlled burns since 1962 and uses fire as a management tool to sustain fire-dependent ecosystems and prevent catastrophic wildfires. In Maryland, TNC has been conducting controlled burns on the Eastern Shore since 2008 and has started to develop a burn program in western Maryland (central Appalachians). Though fire was once common and widespread throughout this region, fire exclusion during the past century has threatened the dynamics of this forest. Sam’s capstone project examines how the fire history at Sideling Hill Creek may have shaped today’s forest dynamics. It will serve as a baseline to inform TNC’s management of the preserve and can also inform management of forests regionally across the central Appalachians.

At TNC, Sam has been able to dip her toes into different conservation projects and learn about the interdisciplinary functioning of a global non-profit conservation organization. Sam states that through this opportunity she has gotten to know some wonderful people who have enriched her Corps experience, including her mentor, Deborah Landau. Among other professional development opportunities, the Chesapeake Conservation Corps program also provided a variety of opportunities to learn about other environmental organizations and work alongside other Corps members. Sam will be attending the University of Massachusetts – Amherst to further her learning in their Master of Science program for Environmental Conservation, where she will take a sustained connection to the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the people she has met through the Corps. Sam hopes to continue developing interdisciplinary skills to bridge the gap between conservation practitioners and scientists.

Gearing up for a controlled burn at Sideling Hill Creek preserve in western Maryland in November 2019. (Photo: Sev Smith/TNC).

The 2019-2020 class of the Chesapeake Conservation Corps graduated on August 13th, 2020 at a virtual ceremony, where Tamara Toles O’Laughlin the North American Director of 350.org gave an inspiring speech. The graduating class has members who are attending graduate school at the George Washington University, the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, and Yale University; working in other “corps” positions like AmeriCorps or TerraCorps; and working at organizations like the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Horizons Outdoor Learning Center, and ShoreRivers; to name a few.

The 2020-2021 class of the Chesapeake Conservation Corps had orientation on August 18th, 2020 at a virtual ceremony. To find out more about the new members and their host sites please see their member placements, here. The Chesapeake Bay Trust is also excited to announce the first Corps Alumni web page is now available here, showcasing 10 years of the program.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust thanks the 2020 – 2021 Corps program supporters, BGE an Exelon Company, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the National Parks Service Chesapeake Bay Office, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, American Chestnut Land Trust, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks – Carrie Murray Nature Center, and Maryland Department of the Environment.

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