Frederick County (MD) Division of Energy & Environment

Come learn about tree-planting programs to fit your property and goals. Plus info on creating bird habitat, rotational grazing, regenerative agriculture, land preservation, and other ecological practices.

FREE
Thurmont Library 11/19, drop in 5:30-7pm
RSVP: catoctinlandtrust.org/event/nov-19...

Please join us in celebrating this year's Frederick County Sustainability Award winners! The individuals and organizations recognized here help protect our environment and build a healthier, more inclusive community. We thank them for their eco stewardship, leadership, and commitment to service.

Help protect local wildlife by swapping your porch light!
Amber, yellow, or red bulbs are less disruptive to bats, pollinators, and migrating birds than bright white or blue light. Adding a motion sensor or downward light deflector helps reduce light pollution as well.

So proud of our @sustainablefcmd.bsky.social team for this amazing award!

Our Green Homes Program just won an award for its inclusive approach to helping residents save money, energy, and water while making homes more comfortable and sustainable.

From free home retrofits, to rebates and personalized assistance, learn more & join in: www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/GreenHomes

Help pollinators: let fallen leaves, dried up stems & old plants stay in your yard for the winter. They're valuable habitats for overwintering insects like luna moths, honeybees, & butterflies. If you want leaves off a lawn, rake them under shrubs and into flower or vegetable beds.

FredCo property owners can apply for the Creek ReLeaf Reforestation Program through 12/31/25.
🌿 Native trees & shrubs planted at no cost
🌿 5 years of land maintenance provided
🌿 Pays $9,000/acre for permanent conservation easement

Be part of a greener future: frederickcountymd.gov/ReForest

Stop by our booth The Great Frederick Fair this week! We'll tell you about green incentives like appliance or septic rebates, discounted solar panels, EV tax credits, or how to get FREE trees for your land! We can be found in the City Streets/Country Roads Pavilion at the end of Tractor Row.

Join staff from MD Forest Service to collect Wild American Plum seed and support native plant reforestation!

WHEN: September 13, 9am-12pm
WHERE: New Market Elementary - 93 W. Main Street

Bring what you might need to spend a beautiful morning outside! Questions? Email delaney.curran1@maryland.gov

Which is better clickbait- beautiful specimens that are an important part of our ecosystem or monarch butterflies?

National Public Lands Day: Volunteer for invasive species control, native plant garden & trail cleanup, etc.
- Saturday 9/27 @ 10 am
- Monocacy Natl' Battlefield, 4801 Urbana Pike

💩

Poop quiz! How much bacteria is in dog waste?
A: One gram of dog doo can contain 23 million fecal bacteria!
Scooping poop protects people, drinking water, and aquatic habitats. Stay on the pet owner honor roll: pick up and dispose of dog waste.
Learn More at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ItsYourDoody

There are three days left to review and comment on the draft community-wide Climate and Energy Action Plan. Take a look and make sure that your concerns and priorities are part of the record!
www.PublicInput.com/ClimateActionFrederick

Final chance to connect with our staff and partners from the nonprofit Solar United Neighbors (SUN)!
🌟𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗮𝘁 𝗖 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘇 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 - 𝟲𝗽𝗺
We'll discuss rooftop solar, how to save money on installation AND take advantage of tax credits (before they disappear!), and answer your questions!

The DRAFT Climate & Energy Action Plan is ready for community review! If you didn't participate in a public input session this spring, now's your last chance to participate.
Through 8/22, you can read the draft doc and leave comments on our project portal: www.PublicInput.com/ClimateActionFrederick

Join staff from the County Division of Energy & Environment and partners from nonprofit Solar United Neighbors to sip, socialize, and learn about solar! We'll cover how to get it for less and how to get off the grid. Bring a neighbor!

Wednesday, August 13 @6pm: McClintock Distillery

Federal tax incentives that refund 30% of the costs of rooftop solar are being eliminated at the end of this year. Combined with the purchasing discount offered by our Switch Together program the best time to go solar is...NOW!
www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/SwitchTogether

The AC may seem like you best friend today, but ceiling & portable fans use far less electricity. Dressing in light breathable layers & closing the window blinds will help you keep your cool- even when the electric bill arrives!

How to keep your home (and your pets) cool & save money too:
-Close blinds/curtains in daytime
-Dress light & use ceiling/portable fans instead of lowering the thermostat
-Wash clothes in cold water and hang them outside to dry
-Skip the stovetop/oven: microwave, grill outside, or eat cold foods

Nobody likes bug bites. But everybody likes lightning bugs! How can you deter the bad guys without harming nature in your yard? Don't use foggers or hire a company to spray- that kills ALL the bugs. A simple trick is to create a "mosquito bucket!" homegrownnationalpark.org/mosquito-buc...

Know a local business, individual, nonprofit, or student who is helping make our community more sustainable? Nominate them for an award so they can get the recognition they deserve! Apply by July 15 at: www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/GreenAward

Storm drains send water to local creeks, rivers, & the Chesapeake Bay—no filters, no treatment. That means litter, pet waste, & soapy water can pollute the places we love.
🌊 Protect our water. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀! www.frederickcountymd.gov/Stormwater

The health of the Chesapeake Bay starts in your yard. Simple actions like replacing a little bit of lawn with native plants can help protect our watershed. Want to take it t he next level? Learn how to get a Bay-Wise certification for your landscape!
extension.umd.edu/.../program....

Did you know that our Bay is at least a part-time home to 12+ species of shark?! While five species are regular visitors, there’s never been a recorded shark attack in the Chesapeake Bay. Shark sightings may become more common as water temperatures continue to rise. #BayAwarenessWeek

The outdoors is for *everyone*! Join us in protecting clean air & water and creating accessible programs for our diverse Chesapeake Bay Watershed community. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 #BayAwarenessWeek

DYK our watershed's land-to-water ratio is 14:1 - the largest of any coastal water body in the world! That means that for every 14 square miles of watershed land, there is only 1 square mile of water in the Bay. You live in a 64,000-square-mile funnel that sends water to the BAY! #BayAwarenessWeek

IT'S CHESAPEAKE BAY AWARENESS WEEK! This annual event celebrates the big biological wonder in our backyard. All of Frederick County's streams and rivers send water to the Bay. Work, recreation, appreciation- comment or share a photo to show YOUR connection to the Bay and join the shellabration!

Don't miss your opportunity to get a reduced-price, tax-free, no shipping costs rain barrel or compost bin! Online sales end June 21 and items will be ready for pickup on Saturday, June 28 at the County's Reichs Ford Road Recycling Dropoff Center.
www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/BarrelsAndBins

Last call to have your concerns, ideas, experiences, and priorities help map the road ahead for Frederick County's first Climate & Energy Action Plan for the Community.

The online survey is open until June 6:
www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ClimateAction

Thank you for demonstrating that climate response is part of sound long-term economic AND environmental planning for a resilient community!