Prince George’s County and the Chesapeake Bay Trust
Announce up to $1 Million in Grants Available through the Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program

The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE) and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announce funding opportunities through the Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program. This program supports on-the-ground environmental restoration activities that improve local water quality, beautify communities and engage residents in the restoration of local rivers, streams and other natural spaces in Prince George’s County.

Grants will support water quality restoration and community engagement projects that aim to increase resident awareness of watershed issues and engage citizens in action projects to preserve the County’s natural resources.  Grant eligible projects  include green practices (rain gardens, bioretention cells, streamside forest buffers and green roofs) capturing stormwater flowing from parking lots or other impervious surfaces; pet waste management; litter prevention and reduction efforts; resident education focusing on  practices that can be implemented at the homeowner level; trash awareness and behavior change projects; work with faith-based communities to provide outreach and education for the Alternative Compliance Program; tree plantings; and projects that foster K-12 environmental education.

“The Chesapeake Bay Trust is thrilled to continue our partnership with Prince George’s County to engage local residents and organizations in projects that create and improve greening of our communities,” said Jana Davis, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  “Since 2014, together we have made 56 grants through this program that have engaged thousands of residents in outdoor activities including installing stormwater implementation projects that treat impervious surface and protect local streams. We are very excited to offer this opportunity to community groups again this year.”

Non-profit organizations, including local watershed groups, community associations, service and civic groups, and faith-based organizations, are eligible and encouraged to apply for funding. Grants up to $50,000 are available for outreach and education projects with larger awards possible for water quality projects. All projects must take place in Prince George’s County (excluding the City of Bowie). As part of an effort to more fully engage underrepresented groups in its grant-making, the Trust strongly encourages projects that increase awareness and participation in multicultural communities to improve watershed health and local ecological ownership.

“We are making a difference in Prince George’s County communities. Through this monetary support, County residents and environmental organizations are investing in the present and future well-being of this County. Government cannot work alone to improve water quality in our region. Everyday citizens and non-government groups can utilize these grants to impact the environment from a grassroots level and galvanize their friends, family, neighbors and local business owners to help reduce water pollution and create a cleaner, greener and healthier Prince George’s County,” commented DoE Director Adam Ortiz.

Applications are due on July 28, 2017 by 5 p.m. To learn more and review the request for proposals, visit www.cbtrust.org/prince-georges-stormwater-stewardship-2 or contact Sadie Drescher at 410-974-2941, x105.

About the Chesapeake Bay Trust

The Chesapeake Bay Trust (www.cbtrust.org) is a nonprofit grant-making organization dedicated to improving the natural resources of Maryland and the Chesapeake region through environmental education, community engagement, and local watershed restoration. The Trust engages hundreds of thousands of individuals annually in projects that have a measurable impact on the waterways and other natural resources of the region. The Trust is supported by the sale of the Treasure the Chesapeake license plate, donations to the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund on the Maryland State income tax form, donations from individuals and corporations, and partnerships with private foundations and federal, state, and local agencies such as Prince George’s County Department of the Environment. The Trust has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator for fourteen years: 92 percent of the Trust’s expenditures are directed to its restoration and education programs.

About the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment

The Department of the Environment (DoE) works for a healthy, beautiful and sustainable County through programs that provide clean water, flood control, recycling and waste management, litter prevention, animal management and pet adoption in partnership with residents and other stakeholders. DoE administers a variety of water quality programs through its Clean Water Program, which includes the Rain Check Rebate Program, the Alternative Compliance Program, the Clean Water Partnership and the Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program.