50th Anniversary of Earth Day Goes Virtual /
Barnesville's New Sustainability Resource Webpage /
SM Offers Assistance with Zoom, Online Meetings /
COVID-19 Info from MML
Our monthly sampling of news, resources, events and other items of interest from across the sustainability spectrum in Maryland.
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FUNDING
OPPORTUNITIES
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EarthShare Energy Grants
Deadline: May 1
MD Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), Safe Routes to School (SRTS), Recreational Trails Program (RTP)
Deadlines: May 15
Maryland Bikeways Deadline: May 22
Montgomery County Green Bank
More info
Montgomery County Energy Efficiency Program
More info
Prince George's County Sustainable Energy grants
More info
Prince George's County Green Energy Loan program
More info
Maryland Urban & Community Forestry Grants
(Maryland DNR)
Deadline: semi-annual
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 Raincheck Rebate
(Chesapeake Bay Trust)
Deadline: Rolling
More info
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WEBINAR AND EVENT CALENDAR
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*** Please contact event organizers to see if previously scheduled events have been moved online ***
April is National Volunteer Month
Clean Water Art Contest (Montgomery County)
Deadline: April 30
Info
Forever Maryland Land Trust Webinar Series
Dates: May
Looking Ahead
Chesapeake Basic Economic
Development Course
Dates: July 27-30
National Public Health Law Conference
Dates: Sept. 16-18
Location: Baltimore
Design DC 2020
Dates: Sept. 21-23
Location: Wash. DC
Maryland Clean Energy Summit
Date: October 20
Location: College Park
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SUSTAINABLE MARYLAND COMMUNITIES IN THE NEWS
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Chesapeake Beach Councilman Larry Jaworski obtains Climate Change Professional designation
Potomac Edison to install more electric vehicle charging stations in Frederick County
Can a town go fossill-free? Takoma Park is about to see
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NEWS ACROSS MD
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Camden Yards Gets Stormwater Update
Climate Change Bills Failed in Shortened Maryland Session
Maryland, Other States Go Their Own Ways on Environmental Enforcement During Crisis
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EARTH DAY (VIRTUAL) 50th ANNIVERSARY
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This year's 50th Anniversary of Earth Day remains an important time to reflect on how far we have come since 1970, but also, clearly, how far we still need to go. Many groups have transitioned to virtual events during these challenging times, which presents the opportunity for even greater engagement with people in your community, state, and across the world. Here are some ways you can plug into online celebrations and calls to action for Earth Day and Earth Month:
Earth Day Network Goes Digital
On April 22, join us for 24 hours of action in a global digital mobilization that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and the planet.The Earth Day Network has also rescheduled its live 50th anniversary of Earth Day event on the National Mall to October 24-25, 2020 to mark the half birthday of Earth Day. #EarthDay2020 and #EARTHRISE
Earth Day 2020 Live
Vote for our future! From April 22-April 24, activists, performers, thought leaders, and artists will come together for an empowering, inspiring, and communal three-day livestream mobilization.
Earth Day Teach-In Toolkit
Earth Optimism Summit
Smithsonian Institution
April 22-25 (Live-streamed)
University of Maryland's Virtual Earth Day
April 22 (Live-streamed)
100 Acts of Green
Check out Bowie's suggestions for everyday actions you can take to help the planet. Feel free to share!
Play Energy BINGO during Earth Month! Win cool prizes!
And please send us your local virtual Earth Days events, or feel free to post them on the SM Facebook page.
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SM OFFERING ZOOM, WEBEX TUTORIALS FOR GREEN TEAMS
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SM staff are offering tutorials on Zoom and WebEx platforms for Green Teams who need assistance transitioning their meetings to online. Please contact Mike at mikeh75@umd.edu if you wish to receive assistance. Also,
check out the Public Information and Engagement (PIE) Solutions Catalog courtesy of our partners at Sustainable Jersey. This is a list of almost 100 platforms and tools to help keep your citizens engaged and municipal functions up and running.
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UMD STUDENT ASSISTS TOWN OF BARNESVILLE WITH NEW SUSTAINABILITY RESOURCES WEBPAGE
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Last summer, Sustainable Maryland worked with several towns to produce online Sustainability Resource Centers. A UMD student, Galina Koroleva, worked with the town of Barnesville (Montgomery County) to build a website through Wix that would provide information on the town's sustainability efforts.
The webpage, aptly named Sustainable Barnesville, contains information on Barnesville's Green Team, spotlights sustainability projects the town has been working on, and presents resources geared towards Barnesville's people and the town's goals. The town's goals can also be found on the website, through a link to their Action Plan. By featuring upcoming events, and updating what they choose to spotlight, the town can readily reach out to the people of Barnesville and encourage them to stay involved. The accessibility of relevant local, state, and national resources is a vital step in a town's progression towards sustainability.
This project counts for 5 points on the town's future Sustainable Maryland certification application. If you are interested in receiving similar technical assistance from Sustainable Maryland, please contact mikeh75@umd.edu
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COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
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The League wants to make sure Maryland's cities and towns have access to the most up-to-date resources during this time. Listed on its Coronavirus Resource Page, you will find links to local, state, and federal information on the coronavirus that can assist you in dealing with the issues surrounding this pandemic.
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US CENSUS: REMIND YOUR RESIDENTS TO SHAPE THEIR FUTURE!
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Local governments and Green Teams
: Please remind your residents to respond to the 2020 Census. A high response rate is more important now than ever. Responses will continue to be collected. Your community can shape its future
here.
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QUOTE
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"COVID-19 is the most urgent threat facing humanity today, but we cannot forget that climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity over the long term. Soon, economies will restart. This is a chance for nations to recover better, to include the most vulnerable in those plans, and a chance to shape the 21st century economy in ways that are clean, green, healthy, just, safe and more resilient."
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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. 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
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Mike Hunninghake
Program Manager
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