Environment Maryland Research & Policy Center, Inc.
$50,000 / 2012 / Environment
Toward continued support of the Restore the Chesapeake Bay campaign. The focus of the campaign is to provide research-based reports that call attention to relevant problems of urban and farm runoff pollution, organize press conferences, and mobilize grassroots support for effective policies to reduce pollution.
Environmental Integrity Project (EIP)
$150,000 / 2012 / Environment
For continued support of the Brooklyn/Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point Environmental Justice Campaign. EIP will conduct additional research to determine the precise locations of air pollution sources, such as emissions from petroleum storage tanks, ships, and equipment at the Port of Baltimore. EIP will also continue to negotiate permits with Constellation Energy to secure binding terms for the new coal ash landfill in the Curtis Bay area, and work to address heavy diesel traffic pollution infiltrating the neighborhoods.
American Farmland Trust
$65,000 / 2011 / Environment
For the third and final year of the pilot project, Clean Water for the Chesapeake Bay – Mobilizing Farmers to Improve Water Quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Designed as a risk-management tool, the Best Management Practices Challenge for Planned Nitrogen Reduction benefits the 29 regional farmers who, committed to reducing their fertilizer use, were guaranteed reimbursements if yields were lower. A certified nutrient management specialist was hired and more precise computerized systems with infrared sensors were employed to determine the amount of nitrogen already in the ground. As part of the “best practices,” these findings may be useful in scaling up environmentally sound practices, thus reducing nutrient runoff into the Bay.
Audubon Maryland DC
$25,000 / 2011 / Environment
For continued support and expansion of educational services at the Audubon Center in Patterson Park. The center plans to provide 400 science-based outdoor educational programs to students from the local school, residents, and families living within walking distance of the park.
Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.
$78,700 / 2011 / Environment
Toward support of “Pollution Source Reduction in Baltimore Watersheds,” in an effort to make the harbor clean enough for fishing and swimming. This two-year pilot on Harris Creek and Gwynns Falls sub-watersheds will focus on identifying and eliminating pollution sources of trash, nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, and bacteria. By involving community members in monitoring efforts, the pilot is expected to increase its implementation of pollution reduction strategies.