For more than three decades, the Environmental Finance Center has helped hundreds of local, state, and federal partners throughout the Mid-Atlantic region advance policies, programs, and financing strategies that achieve outcomes for people, places, and the environment. See EFC’s featured work below.
EFC's Featured Work
Region 3 WaterTA Program
The Region 3 WaterTA program offers direct support to municipalities, tribes, and water utilities in US EPA Region 3 to help them access federal and state funding to address water infrastructure needs.
Maryland Local Government Climate Action Support Program
EFC is coordinating with the Maryland Department of Environment to help build the local capacity of Maryland communities to plan, fund, and implement climate projects and community-based climate-related outreach campaigns.
Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Breweries
The Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Breweries Program offers free sustainability consultations to help craft brewers assess operations and implement practices related to energy, water, wastewater, air emissions, and cleaning and sanitizing – all while saving costs and improving brand recognition.
Rainwater Harvesting for Urban Farms
EFC is coordinating with UMD's School of Public Health, Extension, and USDA Agricultural Research Services to help urban farmers harvest and filter rainwater to nourish their crops and create more sustainable farms and resilient communities.
EFC Projects and Publications
See EFC’s work in action by browsing our current and archived (completed) projects below.
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2026 - 2027Harnessing Nuisance Flooding Data in Cecil County, MD
This project addresses Cecil County’s limited data on nuisance flooding—including where flooding occurs, how long it lasts, and how it affects residents, businesses, roads, and critical facilities. While the County has updated its Nuisance Flood Plan (2025) and has documented areas of concern using roadway and ditch overflow observations, dock flooding, and emergency services reports, County staff recognize that the most detailed and timely information often comes from the people experiencing flooding firsthand.View Project Details for Harnessing Nuisance Flooding Data in Cecil County, MD -
2026Gaithersburg Climate Action Planning
EFC, in partnership with Blue Strike Environmental, is supporting the development of the City of Gaithersburg’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP will establish a comprehensive, data-driven roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate resilience, and advance equitable sustainability strategies aligned with Maryland’s climate goals and regional best practices.EFC is serving as a local technical advisor and community engagement partner, providing:View Project Details for Gaithersburg Climate Action Planning -
2026Frederick Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan
Mobilize Frederick is developing a coordinated Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan that brings tree canopy expansion, workforce development, and community-based engagement into a unified, actionable framework. This effort supports the city’s goal of achieving 40% tree canopy coverage while advancing near-term priorities such as planned tree plantings and the training and employment of local youth. EFC is supporting the strategic planning process, assisting with coordination, stakeholder engagement, and draft strategy development. View Project Details for Frederick Urban and Community Forestry Strategic Plan -
2025 - PresentSupporting Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's Morgan State Planning Fellowship Program
With support from the Region 3 Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay launched a yearlong graduate fellowship with Morgan State University’s School of Architecture & Planning. Fellows are placed with partner municipalities to lead public outreach and engagement on pre-identified environmental priorities, culminating in an implementation-ready community plan.This initiative aims to:View Project Details for Supporting Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's Morgan State Planning Fellowship Program -
2025 - PresentRockville HOA Sustainability Action Framework and Outreach Campaign
EFC is working with the City of Rockville to develop a new residential action menu tailored to the city’s programs, resources, and funding opportunities. EFC will work with a cohort of three Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) to establish Green Teams, create individualized Sustainability Action Plans, and host an HOA Sustainability Summit.View Project Details for Rockville HOA Sustainability Action Framework and Outreach Campaign -
2025 - 2026Promoting mutually beneficial land use planning practices in Maryland
Maryland has committed to rapidly expanding the production of renewable energy – including solar – while also maintaining strong commitments to land conservation and farmland preservation. While these priorities are not inherently incompatible, they do create practical questions about where renewable energy infrastructure should be located, how agricultural land should be protected, and whether new models of shared land use can help reduce conflict.View Project Details for Promoting mutually beneficial land use planning practices in Maryland