{"id":24100,"date":"2018-10-01T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T13:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=24100"},"modified":"2018-10-01T11:01:02","modified_gmt":"2018-10-01T15:01:02","slug":"applications-open-for-keep-maryland-beautiful-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2018\/10\/01\/applications-open-for-keep-maryland-beautiful-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"Applications Open for Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants"},"content":{"rendered":"

$200,000 Available for Community Beautification, Greening and Environmental Initiatives<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>The <\/span>Maryland Environmental Trust<\/span><\/a>, a unit of the<\/span> Maryland Department of Natural Resources<\/span><\/a>, is now accepting applications for the\u00a0<\/span>Keep Maryland Beautiful<\/span><\/a> grants program<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The five grants being offered help volunteer and nonprofit groups, communities and land trusts support environmental education projects, litter removal, citizen stewardship and solve natural resource issues in urban and rural areas. The deadline to\u00a0<\/span>apply<\/span><\/a> for funding is Nov. 15, 2018. Awards will be announced in spring 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Keep Maryland Beautiful grants will be offered in two categories: <\/span>Environmental Education, Community Initiatives and Cleanups<\/span><\/a> for community groups, local governments and nonprofits, and <\/span>Land Trust Capacity, Excellence and Stewardship<\/span><\/a> for local land trusts. Applicants may only apply for one of the offered grants.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Maryland Environmental Trust awards Keep Maryland Beautiful grants annually to support the removal of thousands of pounds of litter and revitalization of public lands and waterways in an effort to enhance and expand local capacity to conserve the state\u2019s resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

Funding for the Keep Maryland Beautiful grants program is provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and Maryland Environmental Trust.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKeep Maryland Beautiful is an incredible multi-agency partnership supporting local cleanup and beautification efforts that promote environmental awareness and revitalize neighborhoods,\u201d Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth C. Holt said. \u201cWe are pleased to have committed more than $500,000 since 2017 to support these grants to empower community stakeholders to turn their energy into action to create and maintain litter-free streets, clear waterways, and sustainable practices for a clean and green future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Announced in April 2018, the Fiscal Year 2018 awards included\u00a0<\/span>82 grants totaling more than $300,000<\/span><\/a> for beautification projects, community cleanup activities and environmental education programs in 22 counties and Baltimore City.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKeep Maryland Beautiful is one of the leading programs through which our state\u00a0<\/span>supports local environmental stewardship,\u201d Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark\u00a0<\/span>Belton said. \u201cThrough the work of Maryland Environmental Trust and the support of our\u00a0<\/span>valued partners, these grants inspire and engage conservation in every community.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Maryland Department of Transportation<\/span> has pledged $50,000 a year to the program for five years, starting in fiscal year 2018, totaling $250,000.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis commitment shows we can meet day-to-day transportation needs and still be a good steward of the environment<\/span>,\u201d <\/span>Maryland Department of Transportation<\/span> Secretary Pete K. Rahn said. \u201cBy working together we can beautify and change Maryland for the better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Grants and funding amount available are:<\/span><\/p>\n