2023 - 2025
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC)
What is the Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers Program (EJ TCTAC)?
2021 - 2022
Emmitsburg 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.
2020 - 2024
Nature 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.
2022 (February)
Mispillion and Cedar Creek Natural Resource Evaluation and Management Plan
The Mispillion River and Cedar Creeks drain to the Delaware Bay in Kent and Sussex County Delaware. The vast marshes connecting them are part of an international flyway for migrating birds and a horseshoe crab sanctuary, which brings tourist dollars to the area and secures land value for residents. In addition, the marshes act as a “coastal stronghold” for managing the effects of sea level rise, including reducing property damage from flooding. Together, these resources produce multiple benefits to the state of Delaware, and the towns of Milford and Slaughter Beach.
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.
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.