17 Mid-Atlantic organizations win $800,000 in G3 Grants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Chesapeake Bay Trust and Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently announced more than $800,000 in grants for organizations in the Mid-Atlantic through the Green Streets, Green Towns, Green Jobs Grant Initiative (G3).

“These funds help communities transition to a sustainable environment and economy by creating a cycle of pollution prevention, greening and job creation — leading to a better quality of life,” EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin said. “By keeping rain water from coming into contact with pollution in the first place, green infrastructure improves the health of our waters, while reducing flooding, and helping our communities become more resilient to climate change.”

The funding will go to 17 organizations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. The G3 Grant Program is administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and offers grants for research, up to $20,000; planning and design, up to $30,000; and implementing green infrastructure projects, up to $75,000.

“The Chesapeake Bay Trust has been so pleased to partner with EPA and Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources on this program, combining forces and resources to provide opportunities for area residents to make a difference in their own neighborhoods and for their local waterways and community spaces,” Chesapeake Bay Trust Executive Director Dr. Jana Davis said. “We want to provide local jurisdictions and neighborhood associations the tools and incentives to use green techniques when embarking on larger infrastructure projects, and to replace impervious surface with green where we can.”