From Risk to Resilience: Local Tools for a Stronger Maryland

Explore how Maryland counties can align resilience planning, financing, and technical support to turn climate goals into projects that protect communities.

Resiliency planning is essential for helping counties prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies while strengthening the infrastructure and systems communities rely on every day. By bringing elements of emergency planning and public works together, counties can better identify vulnerabilities, coordinate resources, and design projects that reduce risks before disasters occur. This collaborative approach supports more effective emergency operations, protects public assets, limits service disruptions, and helps communities recover more quickly from severe weather, infrastructure failures, and other unexpected events.

Description: Maryland’s resilience and climate goals are moving from planning to implementation, with new tools helping local governments turn priorities into projects. This panel will offer a broad look at how the Resilient Maryland Strategy is creating a more proactive, coordinated approach to strengthen communities against hazards such as flooding, extreme heat, fire, and other risks. Panelists will also explore how new financial tools can serve as practical implementation partners, using public, private, and county resources to advance clean energy, climate, and resilience goals while reinvesting in local communities. The discussion will highlight how counties can align strategy, financing, technical assistance, and governance to move projects forward and better protect Maryland communities. 

Speakers: 

  • Rachel Lamb, Assistant Secretary for Climate Policy and International Affairs, Maryland Department of the Environment
  • Stephen Morel, Chief Executive Officer, Montgomery County Green Bank
  • Mike Hinson, Chief Resilience Officer, Maryland Department of Emergency Management 
  • The Honorable Dawn Luedtke, Montgomery County Council
  • Brett Mattson, Senior Legislative Director, Justice & Public Safety, NACo 

Moderator: The Honorable Michele Guyton, Maryland House of Delegates  

Date/Time: Thursday, August 13, 2026; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm 

The 2026 MACo Summer Conference will be held at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, MD from August 12-15. This year’s theme is “Build What’s Next.” More information can be found on our conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: