The information below was taken from a press release written by Sustainable Maryland's Program Manager Mike Hunninghake.
On October 12, 2020, the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the Town of University Park was one of eleven Maryland municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s virtual annual Fall Conference.
A detailed summary of University Park’s sustainability actions can be found in their Certification Report.
Highlights of University Park’s accomplishments include:
- Drafted a Municipal Carbon Footprint report, which analyzes the Town’s energy usage and greenhouse gas emission, proving a baseline from which to track energy-efficiency improvements.
- Expanded the community compost collection program to 30% of households in 2020.
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved walkability and bikeability by funding a Shuttle Bus to/from the nearest metro station, installing two bikeshare stations, and purchasing three hybrid police vehicles.
- Developed a Safe Routes to School program.
- Provided residents with reimbursement of up to $300.00 toward the price of any tree in the official Shade Tree list and $100.00 toward the purchase price of any tree in the official Understory Tree List.
"How we do our work matters, and has to be measured by what we have done substantively on the ground to mitigate climate change and its effects,” said Mayor Len Carey. “On behalf of all of our volunteers who have worked toward that, we are honored that University Park continues to be Sustainable Maryland Certified."
According to Mike Hunninghake, Program Manager for Sustainable Maryland, “This year’s eleven Sustainable Maryland Certified communities represent a broad cross-section of the state, from small towns to large cities, from rural agricultural areas to densely populated urban communities. Each one has demonstrated a firm and on-going commitment to meeting the urgent sustainability challenges we face here in Maryland, and as part of a planetary community in crisis.”
To view a short video of the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony on October 9, click the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5vq05jxk6Y
For detailed information about the Town's sustainability initiatives, please email the University Park's Sustainability Committee Chair Joe Schultz at jschultz@upmd.org.
A big congratulations to the Sustainable Committee for ensuring the Town's continued certification with Sustainable Maryland since 2014 and a special thanks to Committee Member Roy Alvarez for leading the recertification process. Thank you!