Project Location: Howard County, MD

Problem: Howard County has affirmed a commitment to planting trees throughout the county, given the many benefits of urban forests and tree canopies. These benefits include noise reduction, improved air quality, temperature regulation, augmented aesthetics, higher property values, and stormwater management (reduced erosion, flooding, and water pollution).

Project Location: Ellicott City, MD

Problem:  A staircase connecting Ellicott City’s historic Main Street to a public parking lot had become unsafe and unusable, due to chronic flooding issues as well as an earthquake in 2013. 

Project location: Silver Spring, MD

Problem:  Breewood Stream receives most of its flow from four storm drains that convey stormwater runoff from surrounding neighborhoods.  Flowing unmitigated into the creek, stormwater was eroding the streambanks and carrying pollutants such as pesticides and fertilizers.  In addition, Breewood Stream suffered from exposed sewer lines and fish passage blockages along its length.

Project location: Colesville, MD

Problem:  Portions of Hollywood Branch, a tributary of the Anacostia River, were becoming severely eroded from stormwater during rain events, creating unsafe and unsightly conditions in addition to damaging water quality in the stream.

Project location: Silver Spring, MD

Problem:  Sligo Park Hills, a neighborhood in Silver Spring, was experiencing severe flooding and erosion during rain events, with portions of speed bumps breaking away and washing down the street.  Road debris, silt, and pollutants were washing into Sligo Creek, which feeds into the Anacostia River. 

Project location: Forestville, MD

Problem:  The New Redeemer Church in Forestville was prone to flooding and erosion due to poorly-managed stormwater. 

Project Location: Riverdale Park, MD

Problem:  Riverdale Park is a densely-populated community in Prince George’s County with a high level of impervious cover.  Stormwater runoff from the community had severely eroded the stream channel of Brier’s Mill Run, a tributary of the Anacostia River.  In addition, stormwater carried silt, trash and pollutants to the creek and created unsightly and unsafe conditions at the community’s middle school, where a majority of students are minority and low-income.

Project Location: Annapolis, MD

Problem:  The property of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis’ Eastport neighborhood includes a wooded area that had been overtaken by invasive plants, putting the tree canopy in danger of failing. This posed serious safety risks and threatened to undermine the site’s biodiversity and ecological integrity.

Project location: Hyattsville, MD

Problem: The parking lot of First United Methodist Church in Hyattsville was prone to flooding, and polluted runoff from the lot was entering the local waterway Wells Run.  In addition, the parking lot experienced frequent cut-through traffic, which created unsafe conditions for pedestrians. 

Project location: Annapolis, MD

Problem:  In Annapolis’ Bay Ridge neighborhood, a culvert at Cat Hole Creek had become overwhelmed by the volume of stormwater flowing from surrounding areas during rain events.  Excess water had eroded the hillside near the culvert and caused sinkholes to form, making the area unsafe for Bay Ridge residents who had enjoyed swimming in the Creek.