SM May 2022 News: It's Official - Governor Signs SB14 SM Funding Bill!

Governor Larry Hogan signed SB14-Sustainable Maryland Program Fund into law on May 16. EFC staff and SM Executive Committee members were on hand to witness the event. SB14 will provide the Sustainable Maryland program with $500,000 each year to continue our work with, and to expand our assistance to, communities all across Maryland, including small grants for community sustainability projects. This new source of funding, which will begin in July 2023, will provide much-needed stability for the program, and will enable SM to leverage additional funding sources and partnerships. We cannot thank enough the many people and organizations who have supported SM over the last 10 years!

POLLINATOR WEEK (JUNE 20-26) WILL BE HOPPING ALONG THE ROUTE ONE CORRIDOR

SM was pleased to help convene the municipalities along the Route One corridor in Prince George's County recently to discuss the creation of a pollinator corridor. One of the first outcomes of that initiative will be the celebration of Pollinator Week with several events, including:

Saturday, June 25, 10:00am - 12 noon

University Park Meadow Day

Located at the University Park Pollinator Meadow on Adelphi Road. Celebrate Meadow Day with University Park Tree Committee, Anacostia Watershed Society, UMD Bee Lab, and BUMBA ( Bowie and Upper Marlboro Beekeepers Society) display tables with a Scavenger Hunt, and Earth Sangha Native Plant Pick Up. Master naturalists will be on hand to help you identify meadow plants and inhabitants, a selfie station and more! Come dressed as your favorite meadow inhabitant!

Saturday, June 25, 11:00am-2:00pm

Visit a Model Pollinator Garden at Cottage City Community Garden

Open House and tours, free refreshments

Cottage City Community Garden, 4222 Cottage Terrace, Cottage City. Celebrate National Pollinator Week at the Cottage City Community Garden. Walk through the garden that features two honey bee hives, and native and pollinator plantings. Tour the 32 raised beds that provide residents a safe place to gather and grow/harvest organic vegetables and flowers. The garden was established in 2010 and features a compost system, rain barrel irrigation system, hoop house, fruit tree and a peaceful sanctuary in a vibrant diverse neighborhood.

For more information: www.cottagecitygarden.com

Saturday, June 25, 1:00-4:00pm

College Park Bee Hotel Building Workshop

College Park's Bee City USA committee will have a Bee Hotel Building Workshop for Pollinator Week. Location: Davis Hall, 9217 51st Ave, College Park.

Sunday, June 19, 10:00am-2:00pm

Free Milkweed Plugs, Greenbelt Farmers Market, Roosevelt Center Parking Lot

The Greenbelt Pollinator Group will be handing out FREE Milkweed plugs to attendees.

Tuesday, June 21, 7:00pm

Pollinator Presentation, Greenbelt Pollinator Group

USGS Bee Lab director, Sam Droege, will present a virtual pollinator talk, including the current state of research. Contact kdriscoll@greenbeltmd.gov for registration information.

REMINDER: SM CERTIFICATION APPLICATIONS ARE DUE JUNE 30

If your municipality is interested in applying for Sustainable Maryland certification for the first time, or if your town is up for it's 3 year re-certification, please remember to submit your application by June 30. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact mikeh75@umd.edu

QUOTE

"We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make now can secure a liveable future. I am encouraged by climate action being taken in many countries. There are policies, regulations and market instruments that are proving effective. If these are scaled up and applied more widely and equitably, they can support deep emissions reductions and stimulate innovation."

-IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee, from the April 2, 2022 UN Climate Report

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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 US Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Municipal League. Sustainable Maryland is a proud founding member of the national Sustainable States Network.

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

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