The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently re-established the rail safety Maryland Operation Lifesaver program.
Operation Lifesaver, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1972, is a non-profit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings, as well as preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks.
A new Maryland Operation Lifesaver Coordinator, Stacey Beckett, manages rail safety outreach and education throughout the State of Maryland and is an integral part of helping to #STOPTrackTragedies.
Click below to learn more and sign up as a volunteer to help spread the rail safety message!
The National Park Service is accepting applications for a second round of funding for its Semiquincentennial Grant Program.
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Congress created this grant program in 2020 to support the preservation of state-owned sites and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation.
Maryland’s Second Statewide Brownfield Conference is being held on Wednesday, November 16 and will provide a forum for local governments, consultants, attorneys, developers, and non-governmental/community organizations to learn and share information about brownfields.
Fig 1 – Photo collage showing Leonardtown Warf, a revitalized brownfield. source: public domain.
The group will delve into how revitalizing land through brownfield cleanup and redevelopment/reuse can bring improvements in equitable access to recreational spaces in Maryland’s communities and serve as A Walk in the Park for All.
Register Today! Maryland State Wide Brownfield Conference
Conference Schedule & Topics
Wednesday November 16
8:15 – 8:45 a.m.
An opportunity to connect with other attendees before the welcoming remarks Wednesday morning including a mindfulness exercise.
9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Welcome remarks from Secretary of Planning, Rob McCord, Secretary of the Environment, Horacio Tablada, and U.S. EPA Region III Environmental Education Coordinator and Environmental Justice Liaison, Stephanie Branche.
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Keynote speech by Jerome Shabazz of the Overlook Environmental Education Center
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Session 1: Post-assessment funding resources – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will address post-assessment funding opportunities and how those can be leveraged for recreational reuse projects.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Session 2: Brownfields to greenfields and ballfields – An environmental consultant, a community organization representative, and local government staff will present case studies from Maryland communities about brownfields with recreational reuse including Sparrows Point Park in Baltimore County, Gold Street Park in Baltimore City, and Lake Street Park in Salisbury.
12:45 – 1:45 p.m.
Session 3: How environmental justice and equity can grow green community refuges– Experts will examine how environmental justice can result in recreational spaces that benefit communities and restore environmental well being.
In-person events:
Wednesday November 16, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Brownfield tour and social gathering/networking event– Join us for an exciting tour of a redeveloped brownfield site and an opportunity for in-person engagement: Cross Street Partners invites you to tour The Packing House, the repurposed historic Phillips Packing Company, Factory F in Cambridge. Networking happy hour to follow at RaR Brewing, Cambridge.
Register Today! Phillips Packing House Tour
Thursday, November 17, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Brownfield tour and social gathering/networking event – Join us for a second exciting opportunity to tour a redeveloped brownfield site and for in-person engagement: Footer Building Development LLC invites you to tour The Footer Building, the repurposed historic Footers Dye Works building in Cumberland. Networking lunch to follow at The Crabby Pig, Cumberland. (Note: in the dropdown for “Date,” select “Thu Nov 17, 2022”)
by Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner
Keynote speaker, Eli Glazier, will be focusing on the importance of pedestrian safety and walkability during his presentation at the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association’s (MPCA’s) 39th annual conference later this month.
by Jason Dubow, CC-P, Manager, Resource Conservation and Management and Matthew Rowe, Assistant Director, Water and Science Administration, Maryland Department of Planning
Note: this article was originally published in the Maryland Municipal League’s September/October online magazine, Municipal Maryland.
Fig 1 – Photo of sign warning fisherman of rising waters.
To protect private property, public health, government infrastructure and local environmental resources, municipalities should take steps to study the expected impacts of climate change. Those steps should include identifying vulnerable areas, populations, and assets to develop strategies to avoid or lessen those impacts.
Maryland Planning Blog