MARCH 2026

Your monthly SM news & updates


Correction:

In the February 2026 newsletter we inadvertently located Pocomoke City in Wicomico County. It is located in Worcester County.

FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Prince George's County Stormwater Stewardship Grants

Deadline: April 30

More info


MDOT Urban Tree Grants

Deadline: July 15

More info


Maryland State Arts Council - Organization Grants

More info


Maryland Bikeways Grants

More info


Climate Catalytic Capital (C3) Fund

More Info


Rockville RainScapes

More info


Montgomery County Energy Efficiency Program

More info


Prince George's County Sustainable Energy

More info


Prince George's County Green Energy Loan

More info


Maryland Urban & Community Forestry Grants (MD DNR)

Deadline: semi-annual

More info


Urban Trees Mini Grant -Chesapeake Bay Trust Deadline: Rolling

More info


Charles County Tree Planting - CBT

Deadline: Rolling

More info


Prince George's County Community Garden Mini-Grant - CBT

Deadline: Rolling

More info


Community Engagement & Restoration Mini Grant - CBT

Deadline: Rolling

More info

EVENTS

Wild & Scenic Film Fest

Date: April 1

Location: Annapolis

Info


SM 2026 Certification Webinar

Date: April 8

Location: virtual

Info


Wandering Delmarva's Waterways Bus Tour

Dates: April 16-17

Location: Delmarva

Info


DC Climate Week

Dates: April 20-26

Info


Placemaking and Placekeeping Conference

Dates: April 20-26

Location: Mount Rainier

Info


Maryland Parks and Recreation Association Conference
Dates:
April 21-23
Location:
Cambridge

Info


Montgomery County Energy Summit

Date: April 28-29

Location: Silver Spring

Info


National Urban Farm Festival

Date: May 2

Location: Upper Marlboro

Info


Better Buildings Summit

Dates: May 11-13 Location: Arlington, VA

Info


Choose Clean Water Conference

Dates: May 18-20

Location: Lancaster, PA

Info

SM COMMUNITIES IN THE NEWS

Students sprout little free library, resource guide at Hyattsville Food Forest

More


College Park debates lifting grass height restrictions to help pollinators

More

"We must never surrender. America will get better and better. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive. Keep hope alive."


-Jesse Jackson, civil rights activist, 1941 - 2026

SM Founding Partner

SM Funders

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Celebrating 15 Years with Sustainable Maryland

Join us in celebrating Sustainable Maryland's 15th anniversary in 2026! SM wouldn't be the program it is today without the incredible support of municipal and community partners who have participated in our program over the years. 


To celebrate this anniversary, we are asking our registered and certified municipalities to provide us with some testimonials and photos from all of your SM certification work over the years. We are planning to use these submissions for some of our anniversary programming later this year. Send us:


  • your best stories
  • innovative projects that were certified
  • photos of your Green Team or events
  • links to your Green Team websites / social media
  • your Green Team's logo (see a few below)
  • other SM-related gems you have


We look forward to seeing your submissions and sharing them with the broader SM community! 


CORRECTED LINK BELOW


Click here to submit your information

SM Welcomes New Sponsor WasteZero

SM is pleased to welcome a new corporate sponsor to the program. WasteZero, a U.S.-based environmental services company that partners with municipalities, waste haulers, and organizations to reduce waste and improve materials management. Founded in 1991, WasteZero is a certified Benefit Corporation that designs and implements programs that encourage residents to generate less trash. The company provides program design, public outreach, and logistical support, focusing on customized strategies that incorporate incentives and fairness for residents. WasteZero’s programs have helped hundreds of communities reduce landfill waste, decrease reliance on incineration, increase recycling, and achieve meaningful environmental and financial benefits.


WasteZero recently worked with the City of Greenbelt to develop an innovative Pay As You Throw program called Flex that is driving waste reduction and enabling residents to save money. For more information, contact Kristen Brown at kbrown@wastezero.com

Sustainable Maryland

2026 Certification Webinar - April 8

Join Sustainable Maryland staff on Wednesday, April 8th from 1:00 - 2:30pm for an overview of the 2026 Sustainable Maryland certification cycle and a review of the new certification tier. Register here.

SM Green Team Trainings

SM staff held several of our Green Team Trainings all across the state in the first months of 2026, including with Bel Air, University Park, Cambridge, Kensington, Berwyn Heights, and Snow Hill. All of these towns are planning to apply for SM re-certification in 2026, so a refresher about the program and their Green Team Action Plans is the perfect way to tee that up.


Let us know if your town would like to schedule a Green Team Training - contact mikeh75@umd.edu

Berwyn Heights

Kensington

Montgomery Green Business Certification Program

The Montgomery County Green Business Certification Program is a voluntary program that recognizes businesses and organizations committed to reducing their environmental impact and operating more sustainably. Participants earn certification at one of four tiers based on points accumulated through sustainable practices and become part of a supportive community of like-minded organizations. Certified businesses receive public recognition through social media, Ride On bus campaigns, and other promotional opportunities. Check out the program website here.

Sustainable Maryland is an initiative of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland. It is a free and voluntary program designed to help Maryland communities choose a direction for their sustainability efforts, improve access to resources needed to implement action, and recognize their accomplishments. Our Founding Partner is the Maryland Municipal League. Our Funders include the State of Maryland, Prince George's County Department of the Environment, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Sustainable Maryland is a proud founding member of the national Sustainable States Network.


For more information about how your municipality can register in the Sustainable Maryland program, plus customized Green Team training and access to UMD student resources that are available to provide consultancy services for municipal planning, please contact 301-405-7956 or mikeh75@umd.edu


Mike Hunninghake

Director, Sustainable Maryland