SHARE:  
 A Unit of the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation

N e w s l e t t er

January 2023

CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED TREE CANOPY FUNDING AND POLICY ROUNDTABLE, JANUARY 30

Join EFC staff for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Tree Canopy Funding and Policy Roundtable: Outcomes Webinar on Tuesday, January 30, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST.


The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Tree Canopy Funding & Policy Roundtable project was a year-long effort intended to accelerate state and regional efforts to expand urban tree canopy in communities across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Coordinated by UMD-EFC in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program, the project’s centerpiece was a two-day, virtual Roundtable held March 2023. The event convened 125 state and local leaders from across the Watershed to share data, tools, and approaches to strengthen tree canopy outcomes. 


During the Roundtable Outcomes webinar on January 30, attendees will hear highlights of the project as well as key findings and recommendations that emerged from the Roundtable event. There will also be opportunity to discuss how this process can help guide more equitable, climate-resilient tree canopy implementation throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed moving forward.


Register here

WALKABLE WATERSHED PROJECT COMES TO PORT TOWNS IN MARYLAND

This spring, EFC, in partnership with Maryland's Port Towns, Skeo, Defensores de la Cuenca, and Hirschman Water & Environment, will be holding a series of community meetings and stakeholder calls for the Port Towns Walkable Watershed project.  


The Walkable Watershed Initiative provides a community-based, green infrastructure planning tool to address flooding and resilience in the context of revitalization planning. The WW planning approach is unique in linking environmental and social equity goals. This integrated approach means that we can help local communities leverage more resources, work more efficiently to find new solutions, and increase the likelihood of success by acting on multiple fronts simultaneously. The WW approach engages community members and partners to work together to protect the watershed while also supporting community needs and goals, such as improved connectivity and access, safe routes, vibrant open space, and outdoor amenities. The end result will be a watershed concept and action plan of green infrastructure strategies to improve quality of life and watershed health. In addition to developing one comprehensive plan for all four Port Towns, this funding will also enable us to install a large-scale stormwater management project.


Additional information and project updates (in English and Spanish) can be found on the Port Towns Walkable Watershed website. If you live, work, or own a business in Bladensburg, Colmar Manor, Cottage City, or Edmonston and would like to participate in a stakeholder group or would like to receive information about the community meetings, please contact Michelle Kokolis at EFC (mkokolis@umd.edu). Si resides, trabajes, o tienes negocio en los Port Towns y estás interesado en participar en el proyecto o recibir información sobre los reuniones de comunidad, favor contactar a Natalia Sanchez de EFC (nsanchez@umd.edu).

PARTICIPATE IN UMD FOOD, ENERGY AND WATER SURVEY!

University of Maryland researchers working on the Global FEWture Alliance Grand Challenge project are looking to support positive change in underserved communities at the connection of food, energy, water, climate, and health.



We invite you to participate in a short survey (around 15 minutes long) to provide us with more information about current Food, Energy, and Water (FEW) projects and initiatives in your community to better understand the needs and barriers to implementing FEW-related work.


No personally identifiable information is required for participation. Participation in this survey is voluntary. You must be at least 18 years of age in order to participate in this study. There are no known risks to participating in the survey.


We appreciate your participation!

LEADERSHIP TRAINING:

ACCESSING FUNDING FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY-RELATED PROJECTS,

FEBRUARY 26

Join EFC/Sustainable Maryland staff and energy finance experts on Monday, February 26 from 9:00am - 4:00pm for a hybrid (in person and Zoom) leadership training on Accessing Funding for Climate and Energy-related Projects.


Overview: Learn about Maryland's Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA); existing and upcoming Maryland and Federal funding opportunities related to building electrification, electric vehicle transition, and adopting renewable energy; and best practices for securing funding.


Note: This is a hybrid event: registrants may attend in-person at Adele H. Stamp Student Union at the University of Maryland in College Park, or attend virtually via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants.


Click here for agenda and registration.

FOLLOW EFC ON SOCIAL MEDIA

You can follow EFC and some of our programs on social media: EFC is on Twitter @EFCUMD, Sustainable Maryland is on Facebook, and the Municipal Online Stormwater Center (MOST) is on Twitter @TheMOSTCenter

The Environmental Finance Center, part of the


Jennifer Cotting, Director

jcotting@umd.edu


Mike Hunninghake, Editor

mikeh75@umd.edu

Connect.
Facebook  Twitter  

Consider.


 "A successful COP28 is not about a single individual or nation, but the collective will and concerted efforts of all countries in these negotiations. The science compels: phase out fossil fuels rapidly, accelerate renewable energy adoption, and radically scale up finance."


-Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and former UN Climate Envoy, at recent COP28 in Dubai

 

The Environmental Finance Center's supporters include: