Accokeek FoundationThe Accockeek Foundation, a conservation park, partners with the National Park Service to preserve the natural beauties of the lands adjacent to the Potomac River. The park's volunteer opportunities, both individual and group, includes farming, ecosystem management, and stream cleanups.
River Hill Watershed CommiteeThe River Hill Watershed Committee is a local environmental board to "enhance the well-being of the community by addressing issues relating to storm water runoff, erosion, and watershed quality." The Committee hosts community events, including tree plantings, stream cleanups, and electronic waste recycling.
Columbia Families in NatureSupported by the Community Ecology Institute, Columbia Association, and Chesapeake Bay Trust, Columbia Families in Nature brings together the community with a plethora of recreational and educational outdoors event. Hoping to encourage the time children spend outdoors exploring and exercising, Columbia Families in Nature frequently hosts hiking, nature walks, gardening, bird watching, and other nature events for all ages in the community to partake in.
Chesapeake Stormwater NetworkWith a mission to "promote more sustainable stormwater management in the Chesapeake Bay through advocating for the reform of federal, state, and local laws, permits, regulations, and design manuals," the Chesapeake Stormwater Network is a Howard County-based non-profit group designed to implement sustainable stormwater management in the seven states of the Chesapeake Watershed. The organization looks into projects that improve water quality, such as rain gardens, tree planting, permeable hardscapes, and conservation landscaping.
Blue Water BaltimoreThe mission of Blue Water Baltimore is to "restore the quality of Baltimore's rivers, streams, and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy, and thriving communities." The organization hopes to achieve the following goals and reduce pollution by providing hands-on community service opportunities, monitoring water quality, holding polluters accountable, replacing hard surfaces with gardens and trees, and advocating for Maryland laws and state assistance.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Fisheries)With its economies and culture so heavily intertwined with the Chesapeake Bay, the state of Maryland unsurprisingly established a fisheries department responsible for maintaining the health and ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. Programs within the fisheries department include Hatcheries, Artificial Reef Initiative, Youth Fishing, and Fish Passages.
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Office of Community SustainabilityOne of the many advisory offices in the Howard County government, the Office seeks to pioneer Howard County into a beacon of sustainability within the country. In partnership with the departments of Zoning, Public Works, and Economic Developments, the office intertwines Howard County's residential and business sectors with sustainable practices.
HoCo Climate ActionThe Howard County Climate Action is a volunteer group seeking to represent Howard County as a sustainable community by decreasing Howard County's carbon footprint and increase usage of alternate energy. The organization participates in numerous community events, the most recent of which was the March on Annapolis to ban fracking.
Trash Free SchoolsA designation for schools who pledged to "actively work on reducing school waste in a long-lasting, sustainable manner," Trash Free Schools encourages K-12 schools to implement waste reduction and preventative strategies . Currently, no Howard County high school is involved with Trash Free Schools. However, the organization believes that with involvement, schools can create an "active and environmentally-aware school culture," "foster environmental stewardship through student actions," and "gain recognition as an environmental leader among schools."
US Green Building CouncilLEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a designation for green building, has become an increasingly and the most popular certificate for buildings to attain to demonstrate excellence in sustainability infrastructure. Encompassing categories in sustainable sights, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, innovation, transportation, materials & resources, and energy & atmosphere, LEED is now a certification required for all newly-built Howard County schools.
Howard County Health DepartmentOne of Howard County's twelve departments, the Howard County Health Department is responsible for issues pertaining to drug use, cancer, emergency preparation, environmental health, family planning, and STDs. Among its environmental health sector, the department pays special attention to wells & septic efficiency, community hygiene, food protection, and air quality.
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