LAUREL COUNCIL CONSIDERS SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Laurel Community Garden

At their June 4 work session, Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor and the city council discussed adopting “Our Voice, Our Future,” the 2025 Laurel Sustainability Plan. If passed, the plan will enable departments throughout the city government to collaborate on and implement programs designed to address critical issues and ensure the health and well-being of the community, its economy and the greater natural environment.

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(Posted from Streetcar Suburbs)

SM HAPPY HOUR, JULY 24

DENIZENS, RIVERDALE PARK

Join us on Thursday, July 24, from 5:00-6:30pm for a Sustainable Maryland Happy Hour at Denizens in Riverdale Park.

Network with friends old and new. Share your recent projects, current frustrations, and perhaps your summer vacation plans, with a supportive group. All are welcome - Green Team members, local elected officials, government staff, state and nonprofit representatives, and engaged residents.

Note: Cash bar; appetizers provided.

RSVP

We hope you can join us!

MD SMART ENERGY COMMUNITIES FUNDING SOARS TO ONE-TIME FUNDING AROUND $64 MILLION FOR FY26

This year, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) will have a one-time offering of up to $64 Million for the Local Government Energy Modernization (L-GEM) program to support local governments’ large-scale efforts to plan and implement energy efficiency and clean energy projects. This will be in place of their annual MD Smart Energy Communities grants.

Click here for more information.

Send questions or feedback to msec.mea@maryland.gov with “L-GEM RFI” in the subject line.



PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

CLIMATE STEWARDS ACADEMY

Calling all Prince George's County climate leaders! Consider applying for the Prince George's County Climate Stewards Academy. Through this training program you will learn climate best practices, establish community connections and gain skills to lead local climate adaptation and resilience efforts.

Applications are due August 14. For more information and to apply click here

Questions? Email the Environmental Finance Center at efc_climateaction@umd.edu.

This program is funded by the Prince George's County Department of the Environment and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

MARYLAND AGROVOLTAICS SURVEY

In an effort to explore ways to meet clean energy goals while preserving farmland, the University of Maryland, including researchers from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the National Center for Smart Growth, is gathering input on how Marylanders view solar development on agricultural land. In addition to general perceptions of solar power, we're interested in local perceptions of agrivoltaics, the practice of combining solar energy production with agricultural activities on the same piece of land. To help us understand local priorities and inform balanced, community-centered solutions, we're asking Marylanders to complete a 10-minute survey.

We greatly appreciate your anticipated participation in the Maryland Agrivoltaics Survey. Participants who complete the survey are eligible to enter a raffle for a chance to win one of seven $200 Amazon gift cards. 

Please forward the survey link (see below) to family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. 

https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_2u8Hm0XpoBtKVme

MML SYMPOSIUM:

BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES, AUGUST 1

The Maryland Municipal League's third annual Summer Policy Symposium will be Friday, August 1 at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis. This year's theme is Building Resilient Communities. SM staff will be speaking at a session on The Not So Hidden Cost of Climate Mitigation at 12:45pm.

Click here for more information and to register.

CBT OUTREACH AND RESTORATION GRANTS - DEADLINE AUGUST 21

The Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Outreach and Restoration grant program is now OPEN. This grant program encourages outreach, community engagement activities, and on-the-ground restoration projects throughout the state of Maryland that increase knowledge, change behavior, accelerate stewardship of natural resources, and advance community and environmental health. This year, applicants can apply for up to $150,000 for their project.

Visit Outreach and Restoration Grant Projects, Chesapeake Bay Trust to review the Request for Proposal and Application instructions. Contact chollinsed@cbtrust.org for more information.