Maryland earmarks $35.8 million for Chesapeake Bay restoration projects

BALTIMORE, MD—A total of 34 ecological restoration projects across Maryland will receive $35.8 million in grants from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced. The grants, awarded for fiscal year 2025, are expected to remove 63,000 pounds of nitrogen, 10,000 pounds of phosphorus and nearly 14,000 tons of sediment from local […]

Code Orange Air Quality Alert issued for Monday in Baltimore area

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Monday in the Baltimore area. 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 asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects […]

Chesapeake Bay health improves to C+ for first time in over 20 years

BALTIMORE, MD—The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) released its annual report card this week with the overall Chesapeake Bay earning a grade of C+ (55%), the highest grade since 2002. The 2023/2024 Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card is the 17th annual ecosystem report card. Overall, the health of the Chesapeake Bay is improving slightly, with 11 […]

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 […]