In 2018, Montgomery County DEP led a group of stakeholders to review the County’s green building property tax credit for commercial and multifamily buildings. The credit had been in place since 2006 and incentivized green building certifications similar to the LEED rating system. The stakeholder workgroup produced a report recommending updates and improvements, which were
During this challenging time, I’ve been taking solace in the incredibly selfless actions on the part of frontline workers and ordinary folks helping out their fellow human beings. I try to focus on how the current crisis has, in many instances, released the “better angels of our nature.” And, I believe, that’s the power of
The mission of the Green Business Certification Program is to empower businesses to green their operations through the provision of tools, incentives, inspirational ideas, collaboration, and leadership opportunities and encourage local consumers and other businesses to consider Certified Green Businesses when making purchasing decisions. As such, we will be sharing important information to you about programs available
The mission of the Green Business Certification Program is to empower businesses to green their operations through the provision of tools, incentives, inspirational ideas, collaboration, and leadership opportunities and encourage local consumers and other businesses to consider Certified Green Businesses when making purchasing decisions. As such, we will be sharing important information to you about
More and more people realize the environmental benefits of renewable energy, which produces no fossil fuel emissions. In the past, switching to clean energy sources meant putting solar panels on your roof. But what if you have a shady roof, or you own or rent an apartment? What are your options? Two local Montgomery County
Global Communities works in 27 countries around the world, but our roots are deep in Montgomery County. As a global development and humanitarian assistance organization committed to working in partnership with communities worldwide to bring about sustainable change, we have seen first-hand the direct effects of our changing climate on the lives and livelihoods of
Thank you for joining us for DEP’s biggest virtual event! On April 22nd we hosted an all-day live stream event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. We featured a wide variety of DEP programs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm from 17 presenters over 13 sessions live! DEP Live! #EarthDay2020
Celebrate the 50th-Anniversary of Earth Day This year, Earth Month events are going to look a little different as we stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are bringing you a month full of fun at-home activities using online tools to bring you a VIRTUAL Earth Month. This year, we’re celebrating Earth Month with
Now in its third year, the Gift Outside the Box Campaign is a program where Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and our partners challenge you to reduce waste by thinking differently about how you shop for and give gifts. Together, we can reduce waste, save energy and build a strong local economy. With the holiday
You reduce and recycle like a fiend. You have a compost bin in your kitchen, and you carry a metal straw in your purse. You obviously take carbon footprint reduction seriously – but does your hair salon? Most of the hair color, color tubes, foils, papers, plastics containers, glass, and cans your stylist uses ends
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and the Montgomery County Committee of USGBC National Capital Region invite proposals for educational presentations at the 2020 Montgomery County Energy Summit. The theme for this year’s Summit is “A Path to Zero.” We will explore strategies, technologies, and case studies focused on the commercial, multifamily, and residential
Non-Profits Sustaining Sustainability is a regular feature where we highlight a Montgomery County non-profit organization that is making a difference with their work in sustainability spaces across a variety of industry sectors. This time, we feature the Charles Koiner Center for Urban Farming (CKC Farming) in Silver Spring, find out how they are working to
This regular feature introduces Montgomery County non-profit organizations that are making a difference with their work in sustainability spaces across a variety of industry sectors. This segment details the efforts of the Bethesda-based Rock Creek Conservancy. Beginning near Laytonsville, Rock Creek winds its way for 33 miles through Montgomery County and the metropolitan D.C. area
It’s not often that conservation, environmental impact studies and carbon footprint reduction planning involves children who haven’t yet reached double-digits, but the year-round programs designed by Bar-T Mountainside Education and Enrichment are notable exceptions. According to the environmental education non-profit organization’s founder, Joseph F. Richardson, Jr., the reach to children began with a summer program
Fitzgerald Auto Mall, a car dealership originally founded in North Bethesda, MD , is extensively devoted to sustainable practice and proves so through their recycling commitments and their use of green power. In addition to their promise to recycle 80% of the solid waste generated at each of their facilities, Fitzgerald Auto Mall was recently recognized
Montgomery County is a hub of development in the DC region, with new construction and renovations constantly underway. Development proves to be a great opportunity to increase buildings’ energy efficiency, and thankfully, many developers and real estate managers take this initiative. For The Tower Companies, a Montgomery-County-based commercial real estate developer, owner, and manager, sustainability
This regular feature introduces Montgomery County non-profit organizations that are making a difference with their work in sustainability spaces across a variety of industry sectors. Our first subject is the Silver Spring-based Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC). Created in 1998, the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) is a non-profit, community-based, non-government organization (NGO) that promotes and certifies
The sixth annual Montgomery County Energy Summit—the largest in the event’s history—was held on Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. The event attracted approximately 315 attendees composed of building owners, property managers, energy contractors working in the County, young professionals in the energy field and those interested in sustainable commercial buildings.
This year, Earth Day will be celebrated on Monday, April 22nd. It is a day held to demonstrate and promote environmental awareness and calls for the protection of our planet. April 22nd is a day for reflecting on the achievements made to restore and protect our environment as well as raise awareness to future challenges, in fact
As any visitor will attest, Glenstone is a veritable paradise with grand vistas, serene walking paths, and stunning art. This magnificent place is the result of the conviction of its founders, Mitchell and Emily Wei Rales, who deeply believe in the restorative value of, and the connection between, art and nature. That belief manifests in