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Sustainable Maryland Update
May 2014
Dear Friend

May is Bike Month! Lots of cycling events and springtime festivals and programs happening across the state. Check out our monthly sampling of news, resources, events and other items from across the sustainability spectrum in Maryland.  
Northwest Branch, Anacostia Tributary Trail System
GRANTS
Transportation Alternatives Program 
Deadline: May 15  

Anacostia Trails Heritage Program Mini-Grants
Deadline: May 15
More info

Maryland Bikeways Program
Deadline: June 5

MD Recreational Trails Program

Deadline: July 1

More info  


EVENTS
May is Bike Month
 
Great Give (Anne Arundel County)
Date: May 7

 

Boonsboro Green Fest

Date: May 10 

Link

Gateway Arts District Walking Tour (Prince Georges County) 

Date: May 10
Link

Maryland Mountain Native Plant Sale

Date: May 10

Link 

 

Greenbelt Green Man Festival

Dates: May 10-11

 

Bike to Work Day
Dates: May 16
Rockville Green Business/Bike-Friendly Business Workshop 
Date: May 21
Link

Rivers to Rockets Bike Rally
Date: May 31 
Link

DC Green Festival
Dates: May 31-June 1
Link

LOOKING AHEAD...

Maryland Green Registry Leadership Awards & Networking Event
Date: June 11
Link
REMINDER: SM Certification Webinar, May 6
The deadline for 2014 Sustainable Maryland Certified applications is Monday, June 30. Green Teams in communities that expect to apply for certification this year should make sure they are familiar with the process of online submission. To learn more about the submission process, certification requirements and guidance on completing Actions, please sign-up below for a online Q & A with SMC staff.

Tuesday, May 6, 2:00pm
CERTIFICATION ACTION IDEAS
Create a Buy Local Campaign
The benefits of a Buy Local campaign include educating consumers about the social and economic benefits of independent, locally owned businesses, and creating a thriving local economy that maximizes the potential of local independent businesses by creating a culture of support. College Park has an excellent Shop College Park website, which highlights a number of initiatives designed to encourage local residents to shop locally.

Green Purchasing Policy

Green Purchasing Policies can help your community leverage the power of responsible procurement to conserve resources, mitigate pollution and waste, and promote a healthy economy. Check out Sustainable Maryland's Green Purchasing Policy resources: 

 

SMC's Sustainable Procurement Policy Template is easily adaptable for communities of all sizes

City of Hyattsville's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy

Responsible Purchasing Network's Green 101 Purchasing Policies

SMC's Green Purchasing Policy submission requirement

SPOTLIGHT ON: Riverdale Park
Riverdale Park Sign
Riverdale Park's Sustainability Committee has taken on the role of the town's Green Team, and come out of the gate strong with their community outreach efforts. Their new website and Facebook page will serve as a platform for engaging residents in ongoing and future projects within the community.

NEWS: MD in Top Gear in National Bike Rankings
Bicycle Friendly Community Bethesda
Maryland ranks #7 in the League of American Bicyclist's annual Bicycle Friendly State rankings. We get high marks in education and legislation categories. See MD's report card here.

QUOTE
"Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race."
-H.G. Wells, author, The War of the Worlds and The Time Machine

For more information about how your municipality can register in the Sustainable Maryland Certified program, plus customized Green Team training and access to student resources that are available to provide consultancy services for municipal planning, please call 301 405-7956 or email mikeh75@umd.edu 

Mike Hunninghake
Program Manager 
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