Sustainable Maryland Update

June 2016

Welcome Aboard Havre de Grace / Connect with SM at MML in Ocean City / SM Application Deadline: June 30

Our monthly sampling of news, resources, events and other items of interest from across the sustainability spectrum in Maryland.

Havre de Grace Marina

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Working Waterfronts Grants (MD-DNR)
Deadline: June 17
More info

Charles County Forestry Grant Program (Chesapeake Bay Trust)
Deadline: Rolling
More info

Community Engagement & Restoration Mini-grants (Chesapeake Bay Trust)
Deadline: Rolling
More info

Prince Georges County Weatherization Program

Deadline: Rolling

More info

Prince Georges County Raincheck Rebate (Chesapeake Bay Trust)

Deadline: Rolling
More info

EVENTS CALENDAR

Battling Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Date: June 11
Location: University Park
Link

Rain Garden Maintenance Workshop
Date: June 15
Location: Columbia
Link

Smart Growth America - Local Leaders Policy Forum 2016
Dates: June 18-19
Location: Washington, DC
Link

Montgomery County Heritage Days

Dates: June 25-26

Locations: various

Link

International Society of Ecological Economic Conference

Date: June 26-29

Location: Washington DC
Link

Looking Ahead

Talbot County Fair
Dates: July 6-9
Location: Easton
Link

Washington County Ag Festival & Fair
Dates: July 16-23
Location: Boonsboro
Link

Green Clean Schools Leadership Institute
Dates: July 28-29
Location: Ellicott City
Link

Garrett County Agriculture Fair
Dates: July 30-August 6
Location: McHenry
Link

Our Full Events Calendar

2016 CERTIFICATION APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 30!

If your municipality intends to apply for Sustainable Maryland certification this year, please remember that the deadline is June 30. If you have not already done so, please contact SM staff (mikeh75@umd.edu) to let us know your town or city will be applying so that we can ensure a smooth application process. Thanks!

SUSTAINABLE MARYLAND 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

Check out the Sustainable Maryland 2015 Annual Report for information on certified municipalities, events, trainings and more.

WELCOME ABOARD HAVRE DE GRACE!

Havre de Grace Community Garden

The City of Havre de Grace (Harford County) is the latest municipality to join the Sustainable Maryland program, and judging by its new mayor's first year in office, the city plans to go green and save green in a big way. Mayor Bill Martin has set a goal of making the city's operations 100% solar-powered, and recently got this effort in gear with the purchase of new electric vehicles.

Located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River, this city of 13,000 residents is a hub of activity in many other ways. Amtrak, MARC, and freight trains pass though the city via the impressive bridges over the river, under which kayakers can launch their boats.

Launching kayaks at Jean Roberts Memorial Park

The city boasts more than 3,000 acres of state, county and local parkland, stitched together by numerous trails that highlight local history and natural areas. Local food is a priority, with volunteers maintaining an active community garden program and a farmers market that recently celebrated its 20th year. And with such a broad range of residential and commercial historic buildings, it's no wonder the city maintains an active historic preservation commission. We look forward to working with Havre de Grace!

CONNECT WITH SM AT THE MML SUMMER CONVENTION


SM booth at MML

Attendees of the annual Maryland Municipal League Summer Convention in Ocean City (June 26-28) should make sure you stop by the Sustainable Maryland booth (#720 in the Main Street exhibit area) to learn how your community can register with Sustainable Maryland; ask staff last minute questions about your 2016 certification application; or learn more about what other SM communities are doing to advance sustainability projects in their communities.

SIGN UP FOR GREEN TEAM TRAINING

Edmonston's Green Team at a recent training

Do you have new members on your Green Team who need to get up to speed on the Sustainable Maryland program? Is it about time to update your Action Plan? Need some technical assistance in getting a specific Action off the ground? If so, it's time to schedule a FREE Green Team training. SM staff will come to your town for a 90-minute session with the focus on the topic(s) of your choice.


Berwyn Heights Green Team

Recent Green Team trainings in Berwyn Heights, Edmonston and Bladensburg touched on reinvigorating Green Teams, coordinating messaging, and recruiting volunteers, as well as facilitated brainstorming on updating Action Plans. To schedule a Green Team training contact Mike at mikeh75@umd.edu or 301-405-7956.

QUOTE

"There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred."

-- Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President and conservationist

2016 is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. Get out and Find Your Park this summer!

Sustainable Maryland is an initiative of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland. It is a free and voluntary program designed to help Maryland communities choose a direction for their sustainability efforts, improve access to resources needed to implement action, and recognize their accomplishments. Our sponsors include the Town Creek Foundation, US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Maryland Municipal League. For more information about how your municipality can register in the Sustainable Maryland program, plus customized Green Team training and access to student resources that are available to provide consultancy services for municipal planning, please contact 301 405-7956 or mikeh75@umd.edu

Mike Hunninghake

Program Manager

Sustainable Maryland