Maryland county governments and the Chesapeake Bay Trust are offering grants of up to $75K to increase public engagement in restoring natural resources to benefit the water quality of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and rivers.
Arguably, the Chesapeake Bay is Maryland’s greatest resource and treasure. County governments often need to work creatively and in partnership with one another to encourage the continued protection and commitment needed to ensure this treasure remains a vital artery of Maryland commerce, agriculture, and tourism.
Four tracks of grant programs ranging from $30-75K are now available via application. In partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, several MD county and city governments are incentivizing community engagement projects and activities which will “increase knowledge, change behavior, and accelerate stewardship of natural resources.” The awarded funds will be given in hopes that Maryland communities will be inspired to take a more involved, long-term approach in maintaining the Bay.
The initiative is an excellent example of how multiple entities can work together to create lasting change. “The Outreach and Restoration Grant Program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Charles County, the City of Annapolis, the City of Baltimore Department of Public Works, the City of Gaithersburg, the City of Salisbury, Harford County, Howard County, and the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (Chesapeake Bay Trust).
According to a Charles County press release:
[They are] looking for projects that include:
- Educating commercial businesses about dumpster maintenance and best practices
- Design and installation of stormwater best management practices
- Tree plantings, rain gardens, meadow plantings, floodplain restoration
- Educating residents about the negative impacts of litter and engaging residents in litter prevention and clean-ups
Applicants can request funds from one of the following tracks:
- Track 1: Outreach/Knowledge Building Projects; up to $30,000
- Track 2: Behavior Change Projects; up to $50,000
- Track 3: Restoration Projects; up to $50,000
- Track 4: Outreach and Restoration Projects; up to $75,000
