Maryland Environmental Trust Announces
2004 “Keep Maryland Beautiful” Program Awards
Montgomery, Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties receive awards
ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) recently announced the winners for the 2004 Keep Maryland Beautiful (KMB) awards. Funded by the State Highway Administration, these awards recognize voluntary activities and achievements by school groups, civic and community organizations that address environmental issues."These projects were chosen because they have significantly benefited Maryland's natural environment," says Ellen Kelly, KMB committee chairperson. “We applaud all of those who submitted their projects.”
As part of the KMB program, the Maryland Environmental Trust annually accepts applications for the Margaret Rosch Jones Award and the Bill James Environmental Grant for projects that focus on environmental education.
The Margaret Rosch Jones Award grants a sum of up to $2,000 to voluntary non-profit groups or communities that show continuing plans for a project demonstrating a basic understanding and resolution of an environmental issue.
The 2004 winners of the Jones Award were the Herald Harbor Citizens Association in Anne Arundel County, The East Forest Road Revitalization Committee of Landover, Prince Georges County, and Alliance for Community Education in Anne Arundel County. Volunteers with these groups have promoted greening and cleanup projects, litter prevention, planting native species, and increased use of low-technological, but cutting edge means to address stormwater runoff and soil erosion from home and building sites.
“I’m pleased that these groups which are acting locally on statewide environmental problems are being recognized,” said State Senator Roy P. Dyson (D-district 29, Calvert, Charles & St. Mary's Counties). “I’m especially impressed by the Alliance for Sustainable Communities, which has worked with local governments to highlight a number of serious environmental problems and innovative solutions.”
The Bill James Environmental Grants provide up to $1,000 each to proposed environmental education projects by non-profit youth-oriented groups.
The 2004 winners of the Bill James Grants were The Potomac River Fund’s Offutt Island Program (Montgomery County) and The Towson University Student Chapter of The National Science Teacher’s Association (Baltimore County). These groups will use grant money to enhance educational and interpretive signage on the Potomac River’s Offutt Island and in a section of the Soldier’s Delight Natural Environment Area, respectively, thereby reducing the tendency for visitors to wander off trails and inadvertently damage delicate, rare plants in their quest to observe unique natural features.
The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) is a statewide local land trust governed by a citizen Board of Trustees. Its goal is the preservation of open land, such as farmland, forest land, and significant natural resources. Its primary tool for doing this is the conservation easement, a voluntary agreement between a landowner and MET. For more information visit http://dnr.maryland.gov/met/.
Posted June 11, 2004