|
Click on photo to view larger image
|
Good deeds for the environment and the soul
Through the Maryland Smart, Green & Growing campaign, MDE participated in ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover in Mardela Springs near Salisbury. The Smart, Green & Growing group includes state and local government, businesses, schools, community, service and faith-based organizations that are helping create a more sustainable future for Maryland by promoting Smart Green & Growing programs, services and tools to their members, customers and constituents, adopting sustainable practices and sharing their own innovative ideas and successes.
Smart, Green & Growing gave hourly presentations to neighbors and spectators who came to watch the makeover progress. Each week, Extreme Home Makeover features a deserving family that has fallen on hard times. The show provides a free, eco-friendly renovation of the families’ home with the help of hundreds of community volunteers.
The newly renovated home has been rated by the national Association of Home Builders as Emerald Certified, which is the highest eco-friendly home possible. The home’s energy is provided by 33 solar panels, and is energy positive, meaning it will generate enough energy to supply the home and return additional energy to the grid to help supply the community.
Smart, Green & Growing shared information on how to create rain gardens, instruction on building environmentally friendly and energy efficient homes and best practices for creating backyard habitats in Maryland.
The episode aired in December and video of the renovated home is available through ABC’s website.
Holiday tree planting at Carroll Park Golf Course
MDE’s Office of the Secretary took time during the busy holiday season to plant a live holiday tree at the Carroll Park Golf Course in West Baltimore. Representatives from MDE, Carroll Park, Baltimore City Department of Parks and Recreation, and members of the non-profit Friends of Carroll Park planted a seven-foot Douglas fir along the entrance to the golf course. Live holiday trees are an environmentally friendly way to celebrate the season.
MDE and Social Media
MDE has officially launched social media properties on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Flickr. Stay up-to-date on the most important environmental issues in Maryland. Followers can expect weekly updates on topics ranging from the Chesapeake Bay to climate change and everything in-between. Log on, follow, and comment on the latest information about Maryland’s land, air, and water.
Lean and Clean Manufacturing Assistance Available until March
Manufacturers looking to improve the efficiency and profitability of their operations while also reducing environmental impacts are encouraged to take advantage of Lean and Clean Manufacturing technical assistance through the University of Maryland Manufacturing Assistance Program. The cost share from the company is $2,500 and MDE contributes $5,000 for the equivalent of $7,500 in services. Two Maryland manufacturers, Phoenix Mecano and Smiths Detection, have already participated in the program and funding is available for one more company.
The assistance is provided over a four-to six-week period and must be completed by March 30. Interested companies should contact Paul Gietka of the Manufacturing Assistance Program at 410-706-3445 or pgietka@umd.edu as soon as possible and commit no later than February 15.
Maryland Green Registry and Clean Air Partners Announce Clean Commute Contest
Does your organization encourage employees to walk, bike, telecommute, carpool, or take public transportation to work? Get credit for your efforts by entering the Maryland Green Registry Clean Commute Contest. Complete and submit the contest form by May 16, 2012. The organizations with the largest percentage reduction in employee commute miles will receive prizes from our contest sponsor, Clean Air Partners, at the Maryland Green Registry Annual Awards and Membership meeting to be held in late Spring. For further information, contact Laura Armstrong at GREEN.REGISTRY@maryland.gov.
|
