Reduce Stormwater Runoff

The Greening of St. Catherine Laboure

In May 2021 the Alliance and our partners at ecoLatinos set forth on a new project: The Greening of St. Catherine Laboure. I should start by saying St. Catherine was very green already. Sitting on almost 10 acres of beautiful property in Montgomery County, MD, the Catholic church has immaculate grounds. However, more than half …

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Every Day is Earth Day for the Cougars

Every day is Earth Day for the Cougars of John B. Cary Elementary School in Richmond, VA. This school year, amidst a pandemic and with his staff and students working and learning 100% virtually, Principal Michael Powell established Richmond Public School’s first Eco Campus

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The Best of the Best in Urban Stormwater Practices

Hosted by the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, the BUBBAs (Best Urban BMP in the Bay Awards) honor the innovation and success behind some of the Chesapeake Bay’s latest best management practices (BMPs). BMPs reduce the quantity or improve the quality of stormwater runoff in urban areas throughout the watershed. This ensures that runoff flowing into our …

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Investing in Our Contract Partners

One of the most underrated aspects of the Alliance’s work with the RiverSmart Homes program is its potential value for small companies looking to move into green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, rain barrels and permeable pavers. By providing training and ongoing support, we enable contractors to take on new, ecologically responsible projects.

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A close up of the flower, rudbeckia

Introducing a New Video Series: Native Plant Narratives

Native Plant Narratives is a series of short, educational videos highlighting the benefits of plants native to the Chesapeake Bay region and conservation gardening. Most of the videos will focus on specific native species, where and when to use them, as well as how to care for them. There will also be videos on more …

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Lancaster Tree Tenders

Green Infrastructure Program takes root in the City of Lancaster!

The Alliance kicked off a new partnership with the City of Lancaster in the midst of a pandemic. While the impact and implications of COVID-19 moved through local communities we geared up for operating in a remote world. Passionate people who care deeply about the Lancaster community and our environment see opportunities to leverage and expand our work – even in the midst of uncertainties.   

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Riverwise Education

Riverwise Schools meets STEM in Richmond, VA

Environmental educators from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the James River Park System are thrilled to be working together to bring an after-school program to Richmond Public Schools (RPS) students next year.

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Promoting the Use of Rain Barrels at Rooting D.C.

For the past three years the Alliance’s D.C. staff has presented at Rooting D.C., a free urban gardening forum that educates attendees about urban agriculture and local food issues. In 2019, I had the pleasure of giving a presentation on edible native plants that can be incorporated into rain gardens and BayScape gardens. These practices …

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A close up of the flower, rudbeckia

Resolve to Lose a Little Lawn in 2020

There are many good reasons to have a lawn. A lawn can be used for overflow parking, a space for children and dogs to play, or as a stable surface for heavy foot traffic around buildings and houses. But about ten percent of the land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed is lawn cover. Do we …

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Working Together to Strengthen DC’s Green Job Workforce

“No other city that I know of has convened a meeting like this,” expressed Andrew Moore of the National League of Cities, commenting on the DC Workforce Development and Green Jobs Roundtable that was created by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, in partnership with the Department of Energy and Environment and the National League …

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