Anne Arundel County residents have enjoyed the outdoors more than ever this past year and environmental issues continue to be top of mind. To address environmental issues such as stormwater management, and/or increasing community awareness and involvement in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay, local streams and rivers, and other natural areas, the Environmental Anne Arundel Grant Program recently awarded four grants, totaling $13,500. 

As part of the grant agreement, the organizations are required to submit a follow-up report and document progress, successes and barriers to success, and identify outcomes. Four programs received grants in this cycle as follows:

1. Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA) to support the WSA Class Project: Kol Shalom Conservation Landscape Planting of a 3,100-square foot conservation landscape at Congregation Kol Shalom, one of WSA’s RiverWise Congregations. The plantings will secure soil on a hillside, beautify the landscape, and treat stormwater runoff.  More than 50 volunteers, composed of Watershed Stewards Academy’s Maintenance Corps, congregation members, and preschool families will help with project installation.
2. Scenic Rivers Land Trust to support the development and implementation of an invasive control program on five acres of the Bacon Ridge Natural Area in Crownsville. This program will prevent invasive and non-native plants that, over time, would negatively alter and significantly degrade the existing ecosystems. This program will organize and train volunteers to control these trailside invasive plants to prevent people and pets inadvertently spreading seeds.
3. Annapolis Green, Kick Gas! EV-ED in Greater Annapolis to aid in production costs for an Electric Vehicle Car Showcase video, emphasizing benefits of zero-emissions driving on our natural environment (Climate Change mitigation) to boost and protect our Green community. The video will be made with Matterport, a 3D data platform that creates realistic, fully immersive experiences, and will be used as the anchor of an Earth Day virtual or in-person presentation in April.
4. Annapolis Maritime Museum to fund the development and installation of interpretive signage to identify Stormwater Management Project at Ellen O. Moyer Nature Park. The signage will be displayed at the site of the stormwater management system to act as a passive public education tool. This signage will increase the public's knowledge of the Bay through clean water messaging and encourage public ownership and pride for a cleaner Bay.

A gift made in support of Environmental Anne Arundel will help make citizens aware of environmental issues and help protect the Chesapeake Bay, local streams and rivers, and other natural areas in Anne Arundel County. Those wishing to contribute can:

• Make a secure, tax-deductible online donation through www.cfaac.org.
• Mail a check payable to “CFAAC” with “Environmental Anne Arundel” in the memo line to: 900 Bestgate Road, Ste. 400, Annapolis, MD, 21401.