St. Mary’s River Watershed Association
$5,000 / 2006 / Environment
Toward the cost of a demonstration project to test the potential of farmed, selectively bred, native oysters. An evaluation of the project will measure the improvement of water quality and biodiversity, and the extent of an increased harvest to help Maryland meet its goal of increasing the oyster biomass tenfold by 2010 from a 1994 baseline.
South River Federation.
$5,000 / 2006 / Environment
For continued support of the Riverkeeper Program. The purpose of the program is to ensure that appropriate laws are being enforced, water quality monitored and tested for dissolved oxygen and bacteria, and county and state advocacy laws strengthened. Through volunteers, the program will undertake restoration projects, including creating oyster reefs and living shorelines.
West/Rhode Riverkeeper, Inc.
$10,000 / 2006 / Environment
For start-up costs for monitoring activities to clean up the West/Rhode River watershed by increasing the number of volunteers and expanding outreach activities. The riverkeeper will meet with state and local leaders to develop cooperative efforts, file complaints with state and county commissioners, testify on pollution issues, commission a study on the effectiveness of the Critical Area Act, and review approved variances.
1000 Friends of Maryland
$35,000 / 2006 / Environment
For continued support of Partners for Open Space and Program Open Space. The Partners will commission a statewide poll to assess the extent of grassroots support for the preservation efforts of Green Print, Rural Legacy, Maryland Preservation Farmland Foundation, and Heritage Conservation Fund as well as Program Open Space. A report, “The High Cost of Conservation Cuts to Counties,” will be released and disseminated to public officials and legislators.
American Farmland Trust
$50,000 / 2005 / Environment
For continued support of activities designed to ensure the success of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation program. In preparation for the Governor’s Forum on Agriculture in February 2006, the American Farmland Trust facilitated eight sessions with representatives from farming communities to address issues facing Maryland farmers: profitability, land preservation, protection to ensure well-managed agricultural land, and education for the next generation of farmers.