March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 47 F

Chesapeake Bay Trust Awards $1.4 million in grants

CBT-CheckOff_Ad-130x130_line35The Chesapeake Bay Trust announced last week that $1.4 million in grants has been awarded to more than 100 nonprofit organizations, municipalities and local schools to help improve the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and local communities. These awards were made through the Trust’s Mini Grants, Living Shorelines, Outreach, and Environmental Education Grant Programs. These grants will fund projects and programs that restore Maryland shorelines, engage adults in community outreach efforts, and educate students through outdoor learning experiences.

“Because of programs like the Treasure the Chesapeake license plate, the Chesapeake Bay Trust is able to fund many worthwhile projects and programs that benefit our local waters and the Chesapeake Bay,” said Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “However the demand for grants continues to grow as more and more individuals work to implement projects and programs to improve water quality, engage local citizens in restoration projects, and teach young people how to protect our natural resources. We are honored to work with hundreds of grantees every day who are making our communities better and applaud their boots-on-the-ground efforts.”

In total the Chesapeake Bay Trust received close to $3 million in grant requests for this round of applications and was able to fund about half of its total requests in part or in full. The Trust awards grants quarterly thought 15 competitive grant programs which are reviewed by an external Technical Review Committee and approved by the Trust’s board of trustees.  In 2013, the Chesapeake Bay Trust awarded $5.4 million in grants through more than 320 grants throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The majority of the Trust’s funding comes from the Treasure the Chesapeake license plate, donations to the Bay Fund on the Maryland state income tax form, and partnerships with federal and state agencies. For every dollar the Trust receives, 90 cents is directed to support restoration projects, community outreach programs, and environmental education efforts.

“The Chesapeake Bay Trust offers a wide range of grant programs so that everyone can be a part of the Bay restoration effort,” continued Davis. “Whether you are looking for a $250 grant to plant trees with your homeowners association or a $250,000 grant to implement stormwater management techniques, the Trust is here to work with dedicated citizens and organizations that are ready to get their hands dirty and make a difference for the Bay and its rivers.”

February 2014 Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant Awards:

Environmental Education Grant Program: Awards funding to expand and enhance environmental education programs for K-12 students in Maryland. Sixteen grants totaling $415,000 were awarded to the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Talbot County Public Schools, Washington College Center for Environmental & Society, Anacostia Watershed Society, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Patterson Park Audubon Center, Pickering Creek Audubon Center, Howard County Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Annapolis Maritime Museum, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Alice Ferguson Foundation, and the Carnegie Institution for Science. An additional $78,000 was awarded for 52 small grants for teachers to do work on their school properties.

Living Shorelines Grant Program: In partnership with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of Environment, this program provides grants to design, implement and promote living shorelines in Maryland. Nine grants totaling $515,936 were awarded to Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, Town of Port Deposit, Talbot County Department of Public Works, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, West/Rhode Riverkeeper (two), Spriggs Farm Preservation Foundation, Narrows Pointe Council of Unit Owners, and Blue Water Baltimore.

Outreach and Community Engagement Grant Program: Awards funding to engage Maryland citizens in Bay awareness projects, behavior change efforts, and outreach programs. Thirteen grants were awarded totaling $350,000 to the Anacostia Riverkeeper, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (two), Watershed Stewards Academy, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Alice Ferguson Foundation, University of Maryland (two), American Farmland Trust, Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, Blue Water Baltimore, City of Frederick Department of Planning, and the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy.

Community Engagement & Restoration Mini Grants Program:  Provides small grants to engage Maryland citizens in activities that raise public awareness in the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. Fifteen grants totaling $42,320 were awarded to the Baltimore Tree Trust, Fort Garrison Elementary School, Center for Watershed Protection, Rock Creek Conservancy, Town of Federalsburg, Green Casa Maryland, Restore America Estuaries, Friends of Baker Park, Blue Water Baltimore, North East Isles Community and Homeowners Association, Town of Betterton, River Network, Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, William S. Schmidt Center, and the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy.

Previous Article

Annapolis Symphony Roman Holiday by Lexus

Next Article

AFF Short: Woody Before Allen

You might be interested in …