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 (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 -
2021Analyzing Anacostia Watershed Litter Survey Data
Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay ProgramView Project Details for Analyzing Anacostia Watershed Litter Survey Data -
2021Seeking 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.View Project Details for Seeking Stormwater Solutions: Getting the MOST for Local Leaders -
2021Reaching Latinos in the Greater Riverdale Area
The EFC supported the Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization Community Development Corporation (CKAR) in conducting targeted outreach to the Latino community in the Greater Riverdale Area. The goal of the project was to assess community needs and develop tailored outreach focused on family and community health and wellbeing. EFC provided technical expertise in strategy development, focus group and interview design, data analysis and synthesis, and development of messaging and communications delivery mechanisms. View Project Details for Reaching Latinos in the Greater Riverdale Area -
2021Chesapeake Beach and North Beach Flood and Sea Level Rise Action Plan
EFC, in partnership with the towns of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach, facilitated a multi-phase project that enabled each town to develop and implement comprehensive flood and sea level rise action plans. The two towns are neighboring communities in Calvert County, situated directly on the Chesapeake Bay.View Project Details for Chesapeake Beach and North Beach Flood and Sea Level Rise Action Plan -
2020 - 2024Nature in Urban Planning for Better Human Health
Urban planning, public health, and nature are intricately connected. Studies show that exposure to natural environments can reduce stress, improve mental health, increase social cohesion, and promote physical activity – all of which can attribute to positive health outcomes. Understanding the specific elements of nature experiences and their health benefits is crucial for tailoring urban planning efforts to meet community and public health goals.View Project Details for Nature in Urban Planning for Better Human Health