A spring 2025 cooperative planting between Howard County and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources added 46,800 seedlings across 107 acres of Howard County’s priority forests in the Green Infrastructure Network. Recent drone footage showcases the scale and growth of the planting at Belmont Manor in Elkridge, where 5,800 trees were planted on 13 acres. These new plantings, benefiting from consistent maintenance and deer protection, have over 90 percent survivability after just 18 months. 

In addition to plantings on public lands, Howard County’s Annual Tree Giveaway concluded in September with 6,000 trees distributed to County residents. For those who missed out or hope to add even more trees to their property, several Forestry programs are available for eligible residential properties. The next County-wide tree giveaway will occur this spring with Howard County Bee City’s “Trees for Bees” giveaway. Registration details will be announced in early 2027.

Howard County’s work in climate action and clean energy was recognized this fall with two awards: the Chesapeake Solar & Storage Association’s Clean Energy Champion Award and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters' Climate Champion Award.  

County Executive Calvin Ball accepted the CHESSA Clean Energy Champion Award virtually at the regional trade association’s Energize Summit in September.

Howard County’s Office of Community Sustainability (OCS) received the Maryland League of Conservation Voters' Climate Champion Award at the organization’s Changemakers signature event on October 1. Howard County Deputy Chief of Staff and former OCS Administrator Tim Lattimer accepted the Climate Champion Award and thanked his colleagues in his remarks. “Their outstanding dedication and ‘whole-of-government’ collaboration is the ‘secret sauce’ that drives our progress on clean energy and climate.”

Howard County’s five-cent bag fee funds the County’s Plastic Reduction & Environmental Protection (PREP) Grant, which recently awarded 13 nonprofits a cumulative $385,348 for an assortment of local environmental projects. Three organizations are first-time PREP grantees: the Columbia Association will conduct a Salt Watch stream monitoring and water quality education campaign, Emmanuel United Methodist Church will electrify its building and pursue energy-related community outreach, and Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland is expanding its reusable bicycle collections at Alpha Ridge Landfill to reduce waste and support active transportation. The PREP Grant webpage has a list of all the grantees for 2026. The application for the 2027 PREP grant will be posted in early 2027 with a deadline of April 30. 

Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities

Beginning November 14, Robinson Nature Center will host a new traveling exhibit, “Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities,” from the National Science Foundation. The exhibit explores how communities across the United States are adapting to and preparing for a changing climate. The center is hosting an exhibit opening event on November 14; see events calendar below for details. 

Leave the Leaves

Sometimes, the most helpful green action is to do nothing at all. This fall, Howard County Bee City is reminding residents to leave the leaves to benefit insect populations and support carbon sequestration and water quality. Fallen leaves are an important source of shelter for a wide variety of insects during the fall and winter months, and function as a fertilizer by storing and releasing nutrients as they decompose. Whether you choose to let leaves lay where they fall, rake them into piles, or use them as mulch in the garden, please consider letting nature take its course. Sign Bee City’s Leave the Leaves pledge for a chance to win a “Leave the Leaves” yard sign or a signed copy of Wildscape by Nancy Lawson. 

Switch Together Solar Discounts End Soon

Looking into rooftop solar to save money on your electricity costs? Changes to solar “net metering” mean that locking in solar before July 2027 will get you the best rates on any electricity that sells back to the grid.

Through Howard County’s partnership with the Switch Together group buying program for rooftop solar installations, residents have until November 18 to register for a no-hassle, no-obligation quote on rooftop solar, battery storage, and/or electric vehicle charger installation. The program is run in conjunction with Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit that also operates a free solar help desk.

Safe Routes to School Program Underway

Howard County’s Office of Transportation is promoting walking and biking to school with a new Safe Routes to School Program. Led by new Safe Routes to School Coordinator Mandy Elder, the program is a collaborative effort with the Howard County Public School System Office of Student Transportation, school administrators, and parent-teacher associations. Elder, who has enjoyed biking to school with her own kids for many years, will support schools to coordinate events and routines, such as annual Walk and Bike to School Days, walking school buses, bike buses, and bike rodeos. Her focus will be on education, encouragement, and safety to motivate and enable more students and families to choose active transportation to school. A long-time bicycle advocate and bike bus organizer, Elder will work closely with a handful of schools to build Safe Routes to Schools Teams and action plans. According to Elder, “Walking and biking to school is sustainability wrapped with so many other personal benefits. Physical and mental wellness, connecting with family members and friends, a sense of belonging and care within your community, breathing fresh air and experiencing nature...all incorporated into a short daily routine.” 

Volunteer Opportunity: Rain Garden Project

First Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, a recipient of Howard County’s Community Stormwater Partnership Grant Program, is seeking volunteers for workdays on October 31 and November 7 to help with their grant project to “stabilize steep slopes, reduce invasive plants, and survive deer damage in rain gardens.” Volunteers can sign up for duties ranging from light to strenuous activity on the “Rain Garden Refurb” SignupGenius.

In addition to Howard County’s support, the church has partnered with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake to develop a brochure for homeowners about eco-friendly, deer-resistant gardening with insights from lessons learned at the First Lutheran gardens. 

Community Grants Program

The Community Foundation of Howard County is accepting applications through November 2 for its 2026 Community Grants Program. Community grants support nonprofit organizations serving Howard County across a range of issue areas, including the environment. 

Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program

Volunteer groups, nonprofits, schools, and local communities are invited to apply by December 1 for the Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program, offered by the Maryland Environmental Trust in partnership with the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Funding is available for community stewardship (up to $5,000), land trust assistance (up to $10,000), and tree planting on agricultural lands (up to $10,000-$50,000 depending on acreage). 

A little rain couldn’t dampen the energy of the EV Show & Meetup at Blandair Park on October 2. Twenty electric vehicles were on display, ranging from new models to those with a decade on the road. Attendees enjoyed a demonstration of EV capabilities with a Ford F-150 Lightning-powered popcorn machine and large screen television. EV drivers networked and discussed the benefits of driving electric with residents who came to learn more about EVs. The event was hosted as part of National Drive Electric Month by Howard County’s Office of Community Sustainability and its Clean Miles Club. To join the Clean Miles Club and find out about upcoming "Ask an EV Driver" webinars and events, fill out a short form on the Live Green Howard website.