2021 (June)
Ecotourism and Resilience Investment Strategy for the Mispillion and Cedar Creek Watersheds Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware
The state of Delaware is in the midst of explosive population growth and development at a time when it faces increasing risks of flooding from sea level rise and climate change. A coalition of partner organizations called the Waterways Infrastructure and Investment Network (WIIN) recognized that natural infrastructure (in the form of wetlands, rivers, creeks, open space, and bay beaches) provide a multitude of benefits that can mitigate some of the impacts of climate change while contributing to biodiversity, community way of life, and the economic health of the region.
2024
Economic Benefits of Nature Based Solutions and Landscape Architecture
The American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) believes that landscape architects maximize the benefits of nature-based solutions through design. Nature-based solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss are more than mangroves, forests, and grasslands. Using landscape architecture strategies, they can be woven into places where people live. They take the form of parks, recreation areas, streets, coastal infrastructure, and more. Through inclusive design, they can provide even greater benefits to people and support the healthy urban ecosystems people rely on.
2023 (August)
Delaware Tree Stewards Pilot Program Evaluation: Findings and Recommendations
In 2023, UMD EFC assisted the Delaware Forest Service (DFS) in evaluating the pilot phase of the Delaware Tree Stewards program, which offered training on tree science, tree maintenance, and tree planting project development, with the goal of equipping volunteers to plant and care for trees in Delaware communities. EFC's program evaluation consisted of a participant survey, focus group, partners strategy session, and a review of program material.
2025 (June)
Delaware Tree and Climate Workshop
EFC partnered with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Division of Climate, Coastal, and Energy to plan and facilitate the Delaware Tree and Climate Workshop. This event convened partners from across the state to forge alignment around Delaware’s interrelated priorities related to forestry, urban trees, natural and working lands, and climate resilience.
2021 (June)
Community-Centered Natural Resource Benefits Valuation: Mispillion Watershed, Delaware
Over the last century, the Mispillion watershed, which includes the City of Milford and Slaughter Beach, Delaware, has experienced considerable losses in forests and wetlands. Residents describe the remaining Mispillion watershed marshes as “pristine” and “unique”. The watershed contains significantly protected lands, is bordered by National Wildlife Refuges, and contains internationally recognized flyways for migrating birds, including the endangered Red Knot.
Congratulations to the Sustainable Maryland Class of 2024!
The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that 17 Maryland municipalities were honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference last week.
EFC Project Supports Local Stormwater Solutions
The Environmental Finance Center (EFC), in partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and other local organizations, developed a series of peer-to-peer learning workshops for municipal governments in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: Hendricks Delivers Keynote on Hybrid Stormwater Systems
Assistant Professor Marccus D. Hendricks delivered a keynote at the 2021 American Water Resources Association Mid-Atlantic Conference on hybrid stormwater systems. In his presentation, Dr. Hendricks proposes the merits of leveraging existing infrastructure, community resources and networked plans as part of climate hazard mitigation plans.
2022
Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space in New York City
Valuation of an area’s natural resources helps build knowledge and awareness of the importance of the services and benefits nature provides to humans. Parks and green space in urban areas, in particular, provide aesthetic, recreation, and health benefits which are vital to residents’ well-being. Despite these well-known advantages, cities still experience challenges with funding public parks. Benefit valuation is one way to communicate to decision-makers the importance of continued public funding in natural infrastructure.
2021
Seeking Stormwater Solutions: Getting the MOST for Local Leaders
The Environmental Finance Center in partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay planned and implemented a virtual training program for local governments using on-demand courses from the MOST Center, facilitated peer-to-peer discussion forums, and matchmaking with local watershed groups and technical service providers. Three pilot-scale cohorts in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, engaged 30 participants from 15 local governments throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.