Past Grants

Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

For support of educational programs for conservation voters in public policy decisions at the state and local levels. Through its role as a coordinator of the coalition of environmental groups and the use of its capacity-building tools such as the List Enhancement Program, the environmental Briefing Book, and Environmental Community Online System, the Education Fund helps the conservation community play a strong and more effective role in public health and conservation policy process at the state level.

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.

The Chesapeake Rivers Association

Two grants in support of the Severn Riverkeeper Program’s efforts to protect, preserve, and restore the Severn River. Through daily shoreline and river monitoring, the Riverkeeper program protects vulnerable waterways by providing effective legal representation to stop inappropriate development and promotes enforcement by local and state authorities. By providing scientific evidence and effective legal representation to stop inappropriate shoreline development, the association was influential in the Maryland Critical Areas Commission decision to increase penalties for non-compliance and infractions from $500 to $10,000. Ongoing efforts are being made to install living shoreline in place of traditional riprap for erosion control.

The Chester River Association

Toward a planning grant to serve as a catalyst for systemic change in the way environmental organizations address farming issues. The overall goal is to increase cooperation with farmers in the watershed and implement best management practices.

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.