In February of 2023, the Office of Community Sustainability (OCS) launched a free ongoing LED exchange program at the East Columbia and Elkridge Libraries. Residents in the County can visit either library during business hours to exchange their used incandescent and CFL light bulbs for new LED light bulbs. Citizens should visit the circulation desk,… Read more »
On Monday, Dec. 12th the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability released the Preliminary Report of Howard County’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan titled HoCo Climate Forward. Once completed, the document, will be an update and expansion on previous climate action planning. However, different from past climate action plans, HoCo Climate Forward also focuses on resiliency… Read more »
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Conservancy announced the process for selecting properties for the first-in-state program to permanently preserve environmentally sensitive properties. The Purchased Conversation Easement pilot program provides financial incentives to non-profit property owners to protect sensitive areas. The program is modeled after the County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program which… Read more »
In the State of the County address on Wednesday, October 13, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball declared the State of Howard County to be strong. “We are award-winning environmental stewards. Our communities are safe, strong and accessible. And we have thriving businesses that are the backbone of our community,” said County Executive Ball. Along with… Read more »
A record 3,000 trees were distributed to Howard County residents through the annual tree giveaway. Sign ups opened Wednesday, September 7th and residents were given the opportunity to register at two different times. Half the trees were made available at 2pm and the other half at 7pm to make the trees more accessible to individuals… Read more »
On August 31, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that Howard County received LEED Platinum for the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Cities and Communities Program. Platinum is the highest designation for this certification category. “This recognition is an acknowledgement of efforts we have undertaken to become the most sustainable community in… Read more »
Howard County Office of Community Sustainability wants to give a big thanks to our 2021-2022 Chesapeake Conservation Corps Intern Avery Farrell! The Chesapeake Conservation Corps (CCC) is a program run through the Chesapeake Bay Trust that increases access and opportunities to green careers across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Corps places individuals (ages 18-25), many… Read more »
On August 4th, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, joined by Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Joe Bartenfelder announced a transformational $11 million to support critical renovations to the Maryland Wholesale Produce Market in Jessup. The market supports the food chain of the entire Mid-Atlantic region. The funds include $1 million in Howard County’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget… Read more »
On July 12th Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced and committed $2 million to a new land conservation program with the Howard County Conservancy. “Preservation is core to our mission and the reason the Conservancy was founded 32 years ago by a group of concerned citizens,” said Howard County Conservancy Board Vice Chair Lisa Marini. This… Read more »
On June 17th, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, joined by Senator Chris Van Hollen, state and local officials, and community members celebrated the completion of the purchase agreement for Camp Ilchester. The County Executive’s proposal to include $6 million in the budget to acquire the 21-acre property from the Girls Scouts of Central Maryland (GSCM) was approved… Read more »