Chesapeake Climate Action Network
$60,000 / 2012 / Environment
For continued staffing support and expansion of the Maryland Healthy Communities campaign in collaboration with the Environmental Integrity Project. The goals are to ensure that Maryland’s environmental laws are enforced, Maryland Department of Environment programs are meeting federal standards, and the decision-making process is transparent.
1000 Friends of Maryland
$30,000 / 2011 / Environment
Two-year funding for continued support of staffing and expenses in support of the Partners for Open Space campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that full funding of the dedicated one-half of 1 percent of Maryland’s transfer real estate tax remains earmarked for planning, acquisition, and development of recreation land or open space areas as part of Program Open Space, serving as a national model of a successful conservation strategy.
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.