Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11, 2024

Contact: Mike Hunninghake, Director, Sustainable Maryland, 301-405-7956, [email protected]

17 Municipalities Receive Prestigious Sustainable Maryland Certified Award at Maryland Municipal League Conference

College Park, MD (November 11, 2024) – The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that 17 Maryland municipalities were honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference last week.

“The 17 towns achieving certification this year represent the leading edge of Maryland’s sustainability initiatives at the local level,” said Mike Hunninghake, Director of the Sustainable Maryland program. “Their efforts, and those of many towns and cities across the state, collectively move the needle in the right direction as we grapple with making communities climate-resilient, healthy and economically viable places to live for current and future generations. Sustainable Maryland is proud to support their vital work, which serves as a beacon of inspiration for other communities.”

Attached is a photo of representatives from all 17 of this year’s Sustainable Maryland Certified municipalities.

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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 pointsfor Bronze level certification, or 400 points for Silver level certification, 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: https://sustainablemaryland.com/certification/actions

The complete list of 2024 newly certified (denoted by *) and re-certified communities includes:

Berlin (first certified in 2012, re-certified in 2015, 2021, and 2024)

Bladensburg (first certified in 2013, re-certified in 2016, 2019 and 2024)

Brunswick (first certified in 2015, re-certified in 2021 and 2024)

Cheverly (first certified in 2013, re-certified in 2017, 2021 and 2024)

Cottage City (first certified in 2018, recertified in 2021 and 2024)

Emmitsburg (first certified in 2015, re-certified in 2018, 2021 and 2024)

*Fairmount Heights (NEW)

*Forest Heights (NEW)

Glen Echo (first certified in 2021, re-certified in 2024)

Laurel (first certified in 2015, re-certified in 2018, 2021 and 2024)

La Plata (first certified in 2021, re-certified in 2021)

Mount Rainier (first certified in 2012, re-certified in 2015, 2018, 2012 and 2024)

North Beach (first certified in 2017, re-certified in 2021 and 2024)

Poolesville (first certified in 2015, re-certified in 2018, 2021 and 2024)

Rockville (first certified in 2012, re-certified in 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2024)

*Somerset (NEW)

Takoma Park (first certified in 2014, re-certified in 2017, 2020 and 2024)

Our 2024 Sustainability Champion: This year’s Sustainability Champion is the City of Takoma Park which amassed an impressive 730 points on their application, more than any other community in 2024.

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

Sustainable MarylandCertified Municipalities as of 2024 (13th year of the program):

· Total Municipalities Sustainable Maryland Certified: 51 (32% of Maryland’s municipalities)

· Total Municipalities Sustainable Maryland Registered: 90(57% 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

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