Past Grants

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.

Waterkeeper Alliance, Inc .

Toward support of the Chesapeake Stormwater Initiative, a collaborative project of local waterkeepers organized to monitor and initiate legal action against noncompliant developers known to be polluting the waterways. The regional office coordinates the activities of the “Get Out the Dirt” campaign, focusing on the reduction of stormwater from construction sites.

South River Federation, Inc.

For continued support of the South Riverkeeper initiative. The Riverkeeper program, in its efforts to protect the South River, will undertake specific legal actions and related advocacy efforts to promote better enforcement of sediment control in critical areas and other laws governing the use of land and resources in the South River watershed. While investigating dozens of complaints, the Riverkeeper will continue to expand and use its neighborhood-based volunteers to watch over the creeks and provide the eyes and ears to spot critical area violations and problems with sediment and erosion control.

West/Rhode Riverkeeper, Inc.

For continued support of outreach activities in efforts to protect, preserve, and restore the West River, the Rhode River, surrounding tributaries, and watershed. The group plans to enhance preservation and restoration efforts by operating a waste-water pump-out boat on the rivers, and expanding water quality monitoring and bacteria testing efforts to 12 sites. It will continue to advocate for greater enforcement of the Critical Area Act.

1000 Friends of Maryland

Challenge grant for continued support of staffing and expenses related to the Partners for Open Space campaign, to ensure full funding for Program Open Space. The campaign will also ensure that Program Open Space funds are spent strategically through the development of targeted and ranked priorities: 1) discussion of the transfer tax revenues for new programs, such as operating needs of state parks and forests; and 2) the need to engage in a public debate about the important role of open space and ongoing protection of the state’s natural resources.