10.14.2022 Gaithersburg Receives Prestigious Sustainable Maryland Certified Award
Gaithersburg, MD (October 12, 2022) – The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland announced that the City of Gaithersburg was one of 18 Maryland municipalities honored during the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference in Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. The City accumulated 500 points and completed the required mandatory and priority actions necessary for the new Silver level certification.
"I'm proud that Gaithersburg has received its fourth Sustainable Maryland Certification," said Mayor Jud Ashman. "This recognition highlights our staff's commitment to meeting the needs of our exceedingly diverse community while ensuring a healthy environment for all. Gaithersburg continues to take a proactive approach to sustainability and environmental stewardship, mitigating the effects of climate change on our community while becoming more adaptive and resilient for future generations.”
"We are pleased to be awarding a record number of certifications this year," said Mike Hunninghake, Director of the Sustainable Maryland Program. "These certifications show a commitment to sustainability by Maryland's municipalities that is truly impressive in both depth and breadth. The commitments and associated actions are a critical investment for a future where local governments will increasingly be at the forefront in the fight against climate change. Sustainable Maryland stands ready to support and celebrate these communities, elected officials, and Green Teams.”
Gaithersburg's priority actions consisted of transitioning to renewable energy, advancing recommendations from municipal energy audits, developing a municipal carbon footprint, implementing a watershed plan, and maintaining a stormwater management program. A detailed summary of the City's sustainability actions can be found in the Certification Report here.
To achieve certification, municipalities are required to form a Green Team comprised of local residents, community leaders, municipal staff and officials; complete a variety sustainability-related actions worth a total of at least 150 points for Bronze level certification or 400 points for Silver level certification, and submit the appropriate documentation as evidence that the Sustainable Maryland Certified requirements have been satisfied. The Sustainable Maryland Action Menu can be found here. A full report on each certified community's Actions can be viewed here.
For more information about sustainability initiatives in Gaithersburg, please contact Deb Moran, Sustainability Coordinator, at 240-805-1257, Deborah.Moran@gaithersburgmd.
About Sustainable Maryland: Sustainable Maryland is an initiative of the Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland that is designed to support Maryland's 157 municipalities as they look for cost-effective and strategic ways to protect their natural assets and revitalize their communities. Using best practices in resource areas like water, energy, planning, health, food, and economy, a municipality can earn points toward sustainability certification. Sustainable Maryland offers a customizable menu of concrete actions, allowing communities to select initiatives that best fit their specific needs. This free and voluntary program, with the support of the Maryland Municipal League and the US Environmental Protection Agency helps communities choose a direction for their greening efforts; complete their chosen actions with help from program tools, trainings, expert guidance, and other resources; and be recognized statewide for their accomplishments. For more information about Sustainable Maryland: www.sustainablemaryland.com
