The Maryland Municipal League (MML), with membership in attendance, demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship through participation in two major events this November. Tyler Brice, MML Manager, Advocacy and Public Affairs, attended both the Greater Baltimore Climate Summit and the "Wandering Maryland's Waterways" Bus Tour, engaging with local and state leaders on critical resilience and water quality issues.

Greater Baltimore Climate Summit: Focusing on Resilience and Action

On Monday, November 3, the Greater Baltimore Climate Summit was held at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. The full-day summit, running from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., centered on resilience, community, and action in the face of uncertainty.

The summit served as a platform for bringing awareness to the most pressing environmental issues in the region and included learning from industry experts and advocates about the latest policies, finance strategies, and community solutions to combat the climate crisis. MML's participation underscored the League's dedication to fostering collaboration with government, academia, the private sector, and civil society to enhance the region's environmental infrastructure and programming.

 "Wandering Maryland's Waterways" Bus Tour: Local Solutions for Cleaner Water

On Friday, November 7, we attended the educational "Wandering Maryland's Waterways" Bus Tour. The tour, which commenced and concluded at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, focused on practical, on-the-ground local government strategies for pollutant management, flood protection, and green infrastructure.

The day's itinerary included visits to several key sites showcasing local solutions:

The tour began with a Welcome at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, featuring Kelly Porter, Mayor of the City of Seat Pleasant, and Les Knapp, Assistant Director for Science and Water Administration with the Maryland Department of the Environment. The first stop, Site 1, showcased Community Green Infrastructure Practices at University Christian Church in Hyattsville. Site 2 focused on Flood Protection and Mitigation at the Edmonston Stormwater Pumping Station, featuring the Prince George's County Office of Storm Drain Maintenance. Attendees enjoyed lunch at the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center, with a presentation by special guest Adam Ortiz, Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of the Environment. The final stop, Site 3, explored Natural Solutions to Pollutant Management back at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, with Green Mechanics and Prince George's Parks & Recreation, M-NCPPC. 
The day concluded with an Anacostia River Boat Tour. This tour provided valuable insight into how municipalities are successfully investing in stormwater infrastructure that protects, prepares, and pays off.

MML’s active presence at both events highlights our dedication to ensuring that Maryland's municipal leaders are equipped with the knowledge and partnerships necessary to build a more sustainable and resilient future for their communities.

Please see the following photos from both events: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCAdiR