{"id":4074,"date":"2024-01-17T10:15:03","date_gmt":"2024-01-17T15:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mde\/?p=4074"},"modified":"2024-01-24T15:04:48","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T20:04:48","slug":"maryland-department-of-the-environment-appoints-first-assistant-secretary-for-environmental-justice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/mde\/2024\/01\/17\/maryland-department-of-the-environment-appoints-first-assistant-secretary-for-environmental-justice\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Department of the Environment Appoints First Assistant Secretary for Environmental Justice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aneca Y. Atkinson to oversee efforts to address environmental disparities and reduce pollution in overburdened communities; Appointment underscores commitment to environmental justice as a top priority<\/em>

BALTIMORE (Jan. 17, 2024) \u2013 Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain today announced the appointment of Aneca Y. Atkinson as the agency\u2019s first Assistant Secretary for Environmental Justice.

\u201cAssistant Secretary Atkinson will lead the way as we reach out to communities that have disproportionately experienced pollution and put into place policies that ensure no one is left behind,\u201d Secretary McIlwain said. \u201cShe knows how the system works and how we can focus critical resources and action toward communities that have historically been overlooked.\u201d

Assistant Secretary Atkinson comes to the department from National Audubon Society Mid-Atlantic, where she served as director of the organization\u2019s Delaware River Watershed Program. Prior to that, Assistant Secretary Atkinson served in several roles with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

\u201cI can\u2019t wait to get started on this path to making Maryland a cleaner, greener place to live for everyone,\u201d Atkinson said. \u201cThe key to environmental justice is communication. We are listening to those who have been ignored in the past and taking action to give everyone the same access to a healthy environment.\u201d

Assistant Secretary Atkinson led Audubon\u2019s work to incorporate science-driven policy, advocacy, conservation, and public engagement work to increase funding for on-the-ground improvements to the watershed \u2013 with a focus on communities that have historically been excluded from greenspaces and other environmental amenities and protections.

In Pennsylvania, she managed erosion and sedimentation control and stormwater management programs. She also served as director of the Office of Program Integration, and, from 2018 to 2022, deputy secretary overseeing the Office of Water Programs. She played a critical role in developing and implementing the strategy and vision for diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

At the Maryland Department of the Environment, Assistant Secretary Atkinson will provide expert guidance for Secretary McIlwain and other senior officials to advance environmental justice as one of the secretary\u2019s top priorities. The department previously added an environmental justice coordinator and a liaison responsible for helping communities obtain funding and stay informed.

Other recent environmental accomplishments by the Maryland Department of the Environment include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n