SM CERTIFICATION/RE-CERTIFICATION WEBINAR, APRIL 2

Join Sustainable MD staff on Wednesday, April 2 from 1:00 - 2:00pm for an overview of the 2025 Sustainable Maryland certification cycle and a review of new aspects of the application process.

Municipalities that were last certified in 2022 are due for re-certification this year. Municipalities that are seeking certification for the first time are strongly encouraged to attend!

Applications are due June 30, 2025.

So whether your municipality will be applying for certification for the very first time, or for re-certification this year, or you are looking for inspiration for new Actions or updating your Action Plan, please join us on April 2.

Register here

SM SPRING VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR, APRIL 25

Join the SM Team for one of our quarterly virtual Happy Hours this year. Share what's inspiring you, or perhaps confounding you; learn about upcoming SM and other events and opportunities; and get feedback from a supportive group of your peers.

All are welcome - Green Team members, local elected officials, government staff, state and nonprofit representatives, and engaged citizens. Register below for a specific event and to receive a zoom link:

Spring – Friday, April 25, 4:00pm, register

Summer – Friday, June 20, 4:00pm, register

Fall – Friday, October 3, 4:00pm, register

Winter – Friday, December 5, 4:00pm, register

We hope to see you there!

ROCKVILLE'S DRAFT ELECTRIC VEHICLE READINESS PLAN

The City of Rockville has developed the city's first Electric Vehicle readiness Plan. The EV Readiness Plan identifies ways the city can work with county, state and federal programs to better facilitate a rapid adoption of electric vehicles and meet a growing demand for charging. By knowing how many, where, and what types of chargers are needed to serve residents, businesses, visitors, and city fleet, we are well-prepared for grant opportunities for public charging.

For more info about the Plan click here.

GAITHERSBURG RESIDENTS -

PROVIDE INPUT ON CITY'S WATERSHED PLAN UPDATE

The City of Gaithersburg is updating their watershed plans and needs your help! Watershed planning involves assessing stream health and identifying solutions to issues while implementing community input. A crucial component of watershed planning is the collaboration between stakeholders, which comprise members of the community and local government.

Join City staff for the first of 12 stakeholder meetings on February 19, where they will outline the schedule for the next year and provide an introduction from conservation organizations doing important work in the community.

Click here to register for the Feb. 19 meeting.

Click here to take the survey about your watershed concerns.



URBAN FORESTRY CAREERS CAMP AT UMD, JULY 13-19

Explore your future career in the exciting and growing field of Urban Forestry. Come spend a week on Maryland's flagship campus in College Park and experience hands-on learning with industry professionals and experts in many forestry-related fields.



Be one of 40 high school students selected to spend a week at the University of Maryland with other like-minded students from across the state.

The one-week camp will be held from July 13-19. For more information and application form, click here.



MARYLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT CLIMATE ACTION SUPPORT PROGRAM

Environmental Finance Center/Sustainable Maryland staff are now providing direct technical support to select counties and municipalities to help them access federal and state funding to address climate change. This assistance will be delivered at no cost to recipients, through an award from the Maryland Department of Environment. Available services include assistance identifying climate pollution reduction projects; developing plans; building technical, financial, and managerial capacity; and completing funding application materials. Assistance is available on a need basis to the following counties and municipalities located within the following counties: 

• Western Maryland (Garrett, Allegany, Washington counties) 
• Southern Maryland (Calvert, St. Mary’s counties)
• Eastern Shore (Kent, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Worcester counties)

To request climate action technical assistance for your municipality, please complete this form or e-mail efc_climateaction@umd.edu.

For more information click here.