UMD’s Environmental Finance Center (EFC) is recruiting coastal counties to participate in building adaptation capacity and developing Resilience Work Plans that address flooding issues and enhance wildlife habitat.
The University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center (EFC) is leading a project with support from the National Coastal Resilience Fund to design and deliver Resilience Action Planning for Maryland’s Coastal Communities. This multi-approach project will offer coastal communities in Maryland the opportunity to participate in a coastal resilience training seminar, receive direct technical assistance, and develop a Resilience Workplan that summarizes key vulnerabilities and a set of prioritized, finance-ready, nature-based coastal resilience project ideas. By the end of this project, the knowledge gained, the Workplan and resources shared, and the peer networks established will position participating communities to be able to continue addressing local climate challenges and responses beyond the initial engagement.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
To be eligible to participate in this program, applicants must be:
- A Maryland coastal community located within coastal eight-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC8) watersheds and adjacent HUC8s that are low-lying/tidally influenced (see the National Coastal Resilience Fund Footprint for the general area that is included).
- An incorporated municipality, a municipality/county partnership, or a clearly defined unincorporated area that is partnered with a county, as long as there is a lead entity that will take responsibility for and has the authority to pursue project funding and implementation after completion of this process.
- Committed to partnering with at least one locally identified and trusted community-based organization that is led by or serves underrepresented populations within their community. *Funding is available to support the participation of community-based organization representatives.
- Interested in pursuing adaptation projects that provide both community resilience benefits and fish and wildlife habitat benefits to address climate-related coastal hazards such as coastal flooding, sea level rise, stormwater flooding, poor drainage/rising water tables, riverine flooding, shoreline erosion, marsh loss, and related issues.
- In need of technical assistance to explore and pursue viable adaptation projects.
SELECTION PROCESS
EFC is seeking eight communities to participate in this pilot program. The selection committee will evaluate applications that meet the eligibility requirements and will prioritize and select participants according to a combination of characteristics, including:
- Underserved/overburdened status (according to tools such as the Maryland Department of Environment’s (MDE) Environmental Justice Screening Tool or the Maryland Environmental Justice Screen)
- Amount of exposure to coastal hazards and climate risks (current or projected)
- Located near important coastal habitat (e.g. higher values in the Fish and Wildlife Index of the Coastal Resilience Evaluation and Siting Tool)
- Commitment to meaningful community engagement as demonstrated by willingness to partner with at least one locally identified and trusted community-based organization. Please note, the community-based organization does NOT need to be selected prior to submitting the application but will need to be identified prior to the start of the coastal resilience training seminar and Resilience Workplan development process.
APPROXIMATE TIMELINE:
- Thursday, August 8 at 12PM – Info session REGISTER NOW (it will also be recorded)
- Tuesday, August 27, 2024 by 5PM – Application deadline
- September 2024 – Selected communities announced
- October – December 2024 – Kick-off meeting and Ready for Resilience Assessment
- January – March 2025 – Coastal resilience training seminar
- March – December 2025 – Work with experts to assess vulnerability & develop a Resilience Workplan
- Early 2026 onwards – Pursue funding applications
HOW DO WE APPLY?
Click here to access the brief application form.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
- EFC Climate Team: efc_climateaction@umd.edu
- Stephanie P. Dalke, Program Manager, Water Resources and Climate Adaptation
- spdalke@umd.edu
- (301) 405-5036
At the 2024 MACo Summer Conference general session, “A Rising Tide” How Maryland is Bracing for Sea Level Rise,” panelists wil dive deep into what Marylanders can expect as a result of sea level rise and what options are on the table to mitigate against this fast-approaching reality.
The 2024 MACo Summer Conference will be held at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD, from August 14-17. This year’s theme is “Turning the Tide.” More information can be found on our conference website.
