An overgrown alleyway blooms into an oasis for walkers and cyclists, city parks shed creeping invasive species and solar lighting illuminates neighborhood pathways. These are among the 11 projects set to receive a portion of $125,000 from Pepco and the University of Maryland’s Sustainable Maryland program as part of the Sustainable Communities Grant Program, a new partnership between the D.C.-area utility and UMD’s statewide “greening program” to advance local sustainability projects.

Joe Cook With Large Willow Oak on McKeldin Mall, 11.17.22 Photo by Sam Bahr

Members of UMD Club Sports will help cultivate our living campus, but all are welcome to join.  Tools and gloves are provided and volunteers should wear close-toed shoes. Volunteer tasks include weeding, planting, pruning, and mulching. 

Members of the UMD Men's Lacrosse team will help cultivate our living campus, but all are welcome to join.  Tools and gloves are provided and volunteers should wear close-toed shoes. Volunteer tasks include weeding, planting, pruning, and mulching. 

American chestnuts, Castanea dentata, are majestic deciduous trees that once filled forests across the eastern United States. A mature American chestnut can reach an impressive size, it can grow over a hundred feet tall with a 10-foot trunk diameter.