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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2021 - 2023Town of Slaughter Beach Oyster Restoration Support
The Town of Slaughter Beach is working to build economic resilience by valuing natural resources, exploring ecotourism, and promoting economic opportunity in the Mispillion River and Cedar Creek watersheds. EFC partnered with the Town on its efforts to build the local economy, educate and restore the town, and provide new opportunities for oyster habitat recovery in the Delaware Bay.View Project Details for Town of Slaughter Beach Oyster Restoration Support -
2021 - 2022Emmitsburg Phase I Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study
The Environmental Finance Center assisted the Town of Emmitsburg, MD in developing a sufficient, sustained, and equitable financing strategy for stormwater management.The Town is required to comply with a Phase II National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for discharges from small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). As a result of evaluating potential future budget solutions, the Town is considering a stormwater utility as a viable alternative to funding its stormwater management program services.View Project Details for Emmitsburg Phase I Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study -
2021 - 2022Town of Emmitsburg Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study
Over the period of six months (October 2021-March 2022), EFC conducted a comprehensive Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study for the Town. The study included reviewing and analyzing the Town’s existing stormwater program and future needs, conducting a Level of Service Analysis, reviewing the Town’s budget and annual reports for the past three years, and conducting four meetings with the Stormwater Utility Feasibility Advisory Committee (the Committee).View Project Details for Town of Emmitsburg Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study -
2021 (September)An Analysis of Current Water Infrastructure Financing in Pennsylvania
Report authored by the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland and the Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania.Project funders:The Campbell FoundationThe Heinz EndowmentsWilliam Penn FoundationAttachmentsView Project Details for An Analysis of Current Water Infrastructure Financing in Pennsylvania -
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.View Project Details for Community-Centered Natural Resource Benefits Valuation: Mispillion Watershed, Delaware -
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.View Project Details for Ecotourism and Resilience Investment Strategy for the Mispillion and Cedar Creek Watersheds Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware