Past Grants

Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc.

Three-year funding for long-term research on the effect of planting switchgrass to reduce subsurface nitrogen seepage from Eastern Shore croplands into the Chesapeake Bay, and on the feasibility of switchgrass serving as a perennial grass-based source of biofuel to local agricultural and conservation communities.

Herring Run Watershed Association

Toward final construction costs of the Herring Run Watershed Center, a renovated corner storefront incorporating many “green technologies” leading to a LEED-silver certificate and aimed at reducing energy costs. This project serves as an energy-efficient model for other neighborhood rowhouses.

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

For continued support of programs to educate conservation voters about public policy issues and decisions at state and local levels. Through enhanced e-mail lists, the league will continue to educate and mobilize conservation voters around timely conservation issues, in particular, global warming.

Patuxent Riverkeeper/EarthReports, Inc .

Toward the implementation of the Patuxent 20/20 program, a plan designed to stem unchecked growth in the Patuxent watershed. Part of the plan calls for recommendations for legislative reform of the Critical Area laws, strengthening growth-management policies, joining in litigation to abate pollution infractions, and monitoring the impact of Base Realignment and Closure’s (BRAC) 11,000 new households moving into the watershed.

University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center

Toward the launching of a virtual farmers’ market website, connecting buyers and sellers with availability of local produce. This project is among the first of its kind in the country, and provides an online venue for informing the general public about when food is harvested, how much is available, and where it can be purchased from local farmers’ markets.