Tree-mendous New Partnership Plans Record Tree Planting in Howard County 

Howard County Government and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are working together to expand Howard County’s tree canopy. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the project to help mark Arbor Day on April 26. The County will dedicate $230,000 in proposed Fiscal Year 2025 funding to support DNR’s efforts to plant 32,800 trees on roughly 82 acres of state land in Howard County. Representing the largest single planting initiative of any kind in Howard County history, these trees will support the health of both the Patuxent and Patapsco watersheds, which contribute to quality of life and sustain the Chesapeake Bay.  

The new partnership joins existing tree programs such as the fall Annual Tree Giveaway and the spring Trees for Bees giveaway. When combined with the County’s Department of Recreation & Parks’ Natural Resources Division’s Tree Canopy Program, Turf to Trees Program, Stream ReLeaf Program, volunteer tree plantings and more, the County has planted more than 80,000 trees under Ball’s administration.  



These programs support Howard County’s ambitious goal announced last October by County Executive Ball to reach 50 percent tree canopy coverage by 2030. This is an important strategy to meet the goals of the Howard County (HoCo) Climate Forward: Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. 

Dayton Oaks Students Branch Out on Arbor Day

Fifth grade students at Dayton Oaks Elementary celebrated this year’s Arbor Day with some hands-on, experiential education. The students helped plant 70 native trees on school grounds and the neighboring Dayton Oaks Park as part of the Students Branching Out program, a joint initiative of Recreation and Parks, the Office of Community Sustainability, and Howard County Public School System. Since 2013, the program has involved over 3,000 students in the planting of more than 6,500 trees through organized spring and fall plantings. 

More than 350 people across Howard County participated in April’s 20 Minute Cleanup annual litter removal initiative. Spending as little as 20 minutes and as much as six hours throughout the month, participants reported removing more than 78 bags plus more than 500 pounds of trash and recycling from communities in Clarksville, Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, North Laurel, Savage, West Friendship, and other locations around the county.

Thank you all to all of our 2024 participants and those who have participated in the past! Find participant photos online. 

County Funding Available for Nonprofits & HOAs to Address Stormwater Concerns

OCS is now accepting proposals through June 20 for FY25 grants. This is a competitive program open to nonprofit members of the Nonprofit Watershed Protection Partnership and HOAs. Please email program manager Avery Farrell with any questions at afarrell@howardcountymd.gov.

Spotlight on Lightbulb Recycling and Disposal

The lightbulb exchange program does not accept tube lights, halogen lights, or used LEDs. For these lightbulbs, Howard County’s Bureau of Environmental Services has created a handy chart of disposal options. A few local retailers will accept used lightbulbs for recycling. Please note that lightbulbs of any type are not accepted in curbside recycling.

Climate Opportunities for Youth

EcoAmbassadors, Howard EcoWorks’ summer youth program for high school students is now accepting applications through May 20. The program meets once weekly from June 16 through August 17. Howard County high school students aged 16-18 are eligible and participants will receive a $600 stipend for completing the program. Students will learn about sustainability and environmental leadership, conduct community outreach, and work together on a community cleanup event. The EcoAmbassador Program is made possible through a PREP grant from the Howard County Office of Community Sustainability. Learn more about the job description and apply online by May 20. 

Interfaith Power & Light, a grassroots faith-based climate nonprofit, is seeking applications to join their team as part of the Maryland Climate Corps Fellowship program. The program is open to high school graduates or equivalent who will be age 18 by September 11, 2024. Starting in September 2024, the followship is a full-time, 10-month hybrid position with ongoing in-person programming in Maryland. Learn more about the program online and apply here by June 1.

Summer Outdoor Program for High School Students

Wanted: Gardeners & Wannabes

Want to get your hands dirty this spring while sharing your knowledge or learning something new about native plants and rain garden maintenance? Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake is coordinating a Garden Guardians program to help the watershed and connect volunteer gardeners – both expert and novice – with rain gardens on the grounds of Howard County congregations. Volunteer opportunities run through June 28 and meetups are scheduled on both weekdays and weekends, mornings and afternoons, at locations around the County.  Sign up online. 

May 23, 4:30-6:30pm: Lake Elkhorn Trail Cleanup Hosted by Upcycled

Register online to join Upcycled in a trail cleanup at Lake Elkhorn Park. Drop in anytime between 4:30 and 6:30pm to participate in beautifying the park and creating a more environmentally conscious community.  

May 25, 9am-12pm: Stream Cleanup & Invasive Species Removal

Join Patapsco Heritage Greenway and Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake to clean up Plumtree Branch, a tributary of the Patapsco River. Register in advance and meet at Resurrection-St. Paul School the day of the cleanup.

June 1, 9-noon: Downtown Columbia BikeAround Block Party

Celebrate the Spring 2024 BikeAround Downtown Columbia weekend with a Block Party on Saturday, June 1st in the Merriweather District from 9-12. The Downtown Columbia Partnership, the Howard County Office of Transportation, Bike HoCo, and more will be on hand to help you make cycling a bigger part of your transportation, fitness, and recreation routine. Register in advance for and check-in on site to get your BikeAround shirt.

June 9, 2-4:30pm: Oakland Mills Interfaith eARTh Art Show, Meet the Artists Reception

The Oakland Mills Interfaith Green Team hosts a sustainability-themed art exhibition on view now through July 13 at The Meeting House Gallery in the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center. A June 9 “Meet the Artists” Reception will feature a native plant giveaway for registrants, live music, a scavenger hunt, an art marketplace, and light refreshments. Register to attend and learn more about the exhibition.