Board of Public Works approves $6.3 million for park improvements, land conservation

BALTIMORE, MD—The Board of Public Works has approved Maryland Department of Natural Resources items totaling $6.3 million in grants to local governments and land trusts to improve parks and protect land with perpetual conservation easements. The Antietam Creek Waterway Trail will be receiving a grant of $480,000, which will be used to provide new access to and parking for the […]

Baltimore County to consider dredging at Hart-Miller Island following Key Bridge collapse

SPARROWS POINT, MD—As part of the latest effort to support regional port infrastructure following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Baltimore County on Tuesday announced a call for applications to serve on a new steering committee to lead an extensive public engagement process regarding the development of a potential new community benefit agreement to support Hart-Miller Island. Maryland […]

Air Quality Alert issued for Baltimore area on Saturday

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued an Air Quality Alert for Saturday in the Baltimore area. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert will be in effect for June 22, 2024. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from […]

NASA’s Airborne Research Program set to take off over major U.S. cities

BALTIMORE, MD—This summer, NASA will be flying aircraft over major cities across the U.S. to collect data on air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions as part of a NASA Student Airborne Research Program. From June 17 to July 2, the planes will fly over Baltimore, Philadelphia, parts of Virginia, and California. They will be collecting data on carbon dioxide and […]

Long Green Valley Conservancy to acquire easement to protect mile-long stream buffer in Gunpowder River watershed

BALTIMORE, MD—A historical park, a playground, and trails at Emmitsburg’s Rainbow Lake are among the projects across the state that will receive millions in grants to help preserve Maryland’s natural resources and provide recreational opportunities for residents. The $4.5 million in grants approved Wednesday by the Maryland Board of Public Works will help local governments in Washington, Carroll, and Queen […]

Oyster harvest hits record high in Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources released new data this week that shows a record high of oysters harvested by commercial shellfish operations in the state. The DNR reports that 466 commercial shellfish operations leased 7,478 acres of state waters in 2023. The total harvest for 2023 was 94,286 bushels, which is an increase from 94,257 bushels in 2022. […]

Perry Hall, Carney schools win prizes in 2024 Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge

TOWSON, MD—On Tuesday, twenty-four Baltimore County Public Schools were awarded $38,000 in environmental literacy grants for their outstanding clean-up initiatives during Clean Green 15 Litter Challenge. During this year’s challenge, 6,874 volunteers from schools and community-based groups conducted a record-breaking 502 clean-ups, filling 3,228 bags with litter that could have made its way into streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Since […]

County Council creates Seven Oaks Park, protects 65 acres of Open Space

NOTTINGHAM, MD—At the June 4th legislative session, the Baltimore County Council passed legislation to create two new county parks and add over 65 acres to the inventory of parkland in Carney, Perry Hall, and White Marsh—at virtually no expense to taxpayers. Baltimore County Councilman David Marks reports that, under the legislation, the 65 acres of county-owned land has been reclassified […]