2024 CLEAN Awardees in the Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center Community Chesapeake Bay Trust - $47,672 Description: The Chesapeake Bay Trust and Constellation will partner together to invest in environmental outcomes in Calvert County, Maryland, primarily through providing resources to community organizations for natural resource protection, restoration, and engagement projects.
Chesapeake Bay Trust: American Chestnut Land - $50,000 Project Title: Re-Envisioning Rural Lands: A Conservation Campaign for Southern Maryland Description: The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT), on behalf of the Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance (SMCA), will propose the creation of a conservation campaign for Southern Maryland with the goal of curbing suburban sprawl and increasing land conservation efforts in the region. The conservation campaign will accomplish this goal by providing SMCA members with clear and effective outreach materials to communicate with landowners, community groups, local officials, and other target groups about the economic benefits of conserved land and Southern Maryland’s potential for ecotourism
Chesapeake Bay Trust: Ann’s Circle, Inc. - $23,731 Project Title: Community Planting at Annmarie Garden – The Story of the Understory Description: Ann’s Circle, Inc. will serve as a resource for educating the public about the benefits of regenerative gardening, the use of native plantings to support local ecology, and provide hands-on community service and educational workshops that model and replicate best management practices for home gardens and landscapes.
Chesapeake Bay Trust: Asbury Foundation - $9,475 Project Title: Native Wildflower Meadow Description: The Asbury Foundation will promote nature-based solutions in the community to demonstrate the practice of converting maintained lawns to native meadows in suburban communities. In addition, efforts will be used to make Asbury Solomons Continuing Care Retirement Community a model community in Southern Maryland in stormwater management and environmental stewardship.
Chesapeake Bay Trust: East John Youth Center, Inc. - $19,122 Project Title: Youth Led Conservation Landscaping & Rainwater Harvesting at East John Youth Center Description: The East – John Youth Center will focus on educating youth and the community about their roles in environmental stewardship. The youth center will serve as a space to hold workshops and outreach events that address environmental issues such as stormwater runoff and its impact on the Chesapeake Bay. The East John Youth Center will serve as a hub for community engagement, offering outreach events, workshops, and restoration projects. Key initiatives include installing rain barrels, creating a vegetated buffer, and reforesting areas to enhance biodiversity and reduce runoff. Efforts will culminate in a "Bay Day" will celebrate these efforts, showcasing achievements and promoting sustainable practices. The project aims to increase community knowledge, encourage sustainable behaviors, and improve local environmental quality.
Chesapeake Conservancy: American Chestnut Land Trust - $10,000 Description: The American Land Trust project funding will serve as a catalyst to establish the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge. In partnership with the Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance and US Fish and Wildlife Service, a land protection plan has been identified leading to the first National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland since 1962. For the refuge to be considered “official” the USFWS must acquire its first interest in land, therefore the funding will be applied toward land purchase and conservation of the first parcel in the refuge. Preserving the first piece of land will enable the coalition to officially establish the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge, thereby leading the way to future opportunities to recover federally threatened and endangered species and habitat in Southern Maryland.
