Legislative Recap: 2023 Session Bills Impacting Planning

Planning Assistance in Action

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) strives to inform counties and municipalities of legislation that impacts local planning efforts, and as needed, develop guidance and technical assistance to help jurisdictional staff and citizen planners address new requirements or access resources.

Continue reading

Maryland Launches New Website and Tree Planting Tracking Tool as Part of Five Million Trees Initiative

Resources and Tools

by Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner

In April, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) launched a new online tree survey, which is a mapping tool designed to help track the state’s progress in its ambitious goal of planting five million native trees by 2031.

Finalized in October 2022, The Five Million Tree Plan was developed by the Maryland Commission for the Innovation and Advancement of Carbon Markets and Sustainable Tree Plantings (Commission). The Maryland General Assembly established the Commission with the Tree Solutions Now Act of 2021.  

Continue reading

Planning Commissioner Training Course Upcoming on Sunday, June 25 at MML

Resources and Tools

Resources and Tools

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA), in conjunction with Maryland Municipal League (MML), invite you to attend the Planning Commissioners Training Course, either in-person or virtually, on Sunday, June 25 at the MML summer conference in Ocean City. 

Continue reading

2023 Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards: Nominations Now Open

Planning in Progress

by Chuck Boyd, AICP, Director Planning Coordination

The Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards celebrate significant achievements by individuals, businesses, organizations or local governments in realizing the 12 planning visions adopted by the Maryland General Assembly. The annual awards promote exemplary work that represents or inspires collaboration, innovation, conservation, community impact and quality of life.

Continue reading

The Maryland State Data Center Announces Latest Release of Census Data Estimates

Planning in Progress

A division of the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), the Maryland State Data Center (MSDC) is the state’s primary liaison with the Census Bureau. MSDC provides Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments with demographic and socioeconomic statistics. It also produces the State’s official population and household projections and develops school enrollment forecasts.

Continue reading