Eleven Municipalities Receive 2020 Sustainable Maryland Certified Award from the University of Maryland

by: Mike Hunninghake

The Towns of Bel Air, Berwyn Heights, Boonsboro, Chesapeake Beach, Frostburg, Greenbelt, Landover Hills, Mount Airy, Riverdale Park, Takoma Park and University Park were honored at the 2020 Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s virtual annual Fall Conference on October 9.

This year’s Sustainability Champion is the City of Greenbelt which amassed an impressive 795 points on their application, more than any other community in 2020 and since the inception of the program.

According to Mike Hunninghake, Program Manager for Sustainable Maryland, “This year’s eleven Sustainable Maryland Certified communities represent a broad cross-section of the state, from small towns to large cities, from rural agricultural areas to densely populated urban communities. Each one has demonstrated a firm and on-going commitment to meeting the urgent sustainability challenges we face here in Maryland, and as part of a planetary community in crisis.”

"Our mission has always aimed toward improving our community and the livability of Frostburg. The Sustainable Maryland mission supports our initiatives and helps us conserve our resources and remain resilient. We have saying, "Frostburg: it's just cooler here!" and Sustainable Maryland helps us stay that way. We thank you!" - Mayor W. Robert Flanigan, City of Frostburg

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Sustainable Maryland Certification: To achieve certification, municipalities are required to form a Green Team comprised of local residents, community leaders, municipal staff and officials; complete a variety sustainability-related Actions worth a total of at least 150 points (including two mandatory actions and two of six priority actions), and submit the appropriate documentation as evidence that the Sustainable Maryland Certified requirements have been satisfied. The Sustainable Maryland Action Menu can be seen here: http://sustainablemaryland.com/actions-certification/actions/

The complete list of 2020 newly certified (denoted by *) and re-certified communities includes:

Bel Air (first certified in 2014, re-certified in 2017)

Berwyn Heights (first certified in 2014, re-certified in 2017)

Boonsboro (first certified in 2014, re-certified in 2017)

Chesapeake Beach (first certified in 2014, re-certified in 2017)

Frostburg (first certified in 2017)

Greenbelt (2020 Sustainability Champion for highest point totals of any town; first certified in 2014, re-certified in 2017)

*Landover Hills (NEW!)

Mount Airy (first certified in 2017)

Riverdale Park (first certified in 2014, re-certified in 2017)

Takoma Park (highest point total; first certified 2014, re-certified in 2017)

University Park (first certified in 2014, re-certified in 2017)

A full report on each certified community’s Actions can be viewed here: http://sustainablemaryland.com/actions-certification/participating-communities/

Sustainable Maryland Certified Municipalities as of 2020 (9th full year of the program):

• Total Municipalities Sustainable Maryland Certified: 40 (25% of Maryland’s municipalities)

• Total Municipalities Sustainable Maryland Registered: 79 (50% of Maryland’s municipalities)

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About Sustainable Maryland: Sustainable Maryland is an initiative of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland that is designed to support Maryland's 157 municipalities as they look for cost-effective and strategic ways to protect their natural assets and revitalize their communities. Using best practices in resource areas like water, energy, planning, health, food, and economy, a municipality can earn points toward sustainability certification. Sustainable Maryland offers a customizable menu of concrete actions, allowing communities to select initiatives that best fit their specific needs. This free and voluntary program, with the support of the Maryland Municipal League and the US Environmental Protection Agency helps communities choose a direction for their greening efforts; complete their chosen actions with help from program tools, trainings, expert guidance, and other resources; and be recognized statewide for their accomplishments. For more information about Sustainable Maryland: www.sustainablemaryland.com