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Maryland Department of the Environment sent this bulletin at 06/02/2025 01:00 PM EDT

Edition #21 | June 2025

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: Our volunteers, including Marie Panday, participated in Nature Everywhere Week—a collaborative effort with our partners at InDiGo to plant trees at Druid Hill Lake Park in Baltimore. Our statewide goal is to plant 5 million trees by 2031.

As we near the end of spring tree planting season, I want to tell you about our 5 Million Trees Initiative. Each time I walk beneath the shade of a tall oak or hear the breeze rustling through a grove of pines, I’m reminded of the quiet power trees have to heal our land, protect our communities, and connect us to one another.

We launched this initiative with a clear mission — to plant five million native trees by 2031, with at least 500,000 of those in underserved urban and rural areas. This is more than a numbers game. It’s a commitment to environmental justice, public health, and community resilience.

Trees are nature’s climate warriors. They absorb carbon dioxide, reduce flooding, cool our neighborhoods, filter air and water, and provide homes for wildlife. In cities, they offer relief from heat. In rural areas, they protect farmland and streambanks. And for every Marylander, trees are a long-term investment in cleaner air, safer streets, and stronger communities.

We’re already seeing momentum. Across the state, volunteers, schools, landowners, and local governments are coming together to dig in. With the help of our partners — including the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and dozens of community organizations — we’ve already planted hundreds of thousands of trees. But we still have work to do, and we need you to make it happen.

Here’s how you can take action:

Plant trees on your property. Native species are best — they thrive here and support local ecosystems.
Join a community tree planting event. These are great chances to meet neighbors and make a lasting impact.
Partner with us. Are you part of a school, faith group, or nonprofit? Let’s work together to bring more trees to your neighborhood.
Register trees to make them count toward our goal.

We often talk about legacy and what we leave behind. Planting trees is one of the most powerful, tangible ways to leave a legacy of hope and health. With your help, we can grow that legacy into something magnificent.

Let’s plant possibility. Let’s grow justice. Let’s root our climate solutions in community.

GOVERNOR MOORE SIGNS CHEASAPEAKE BAY LEGACY ACT INTO LAW

This landmark law strengthens the Bay’s health, supports farmers, and boosts our $3 billion Bay economy. The law creates long-term funding for farm conservation practices that reduce pollution and restore local waterways. It also advances regenerative agriculture, improves water quality monitoring, streamlines aquaculture reporting, and funds targeted watershed restoration across the state. MORE

FUNDING FOR CLEAN WATER IN TALBOT, FREDERICK, PRINCE GEORGE’S

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved nearly $20 million to support major water infrastructure improvement projects, create local jobs, improve public spaces, and enhance property values. This funding is part of Governor Wes Moore’s FY 2026 capital budget that includes more than $400 million for clean water and Chesapeake Bay projects. MORE

U.S. CLIMATE ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF CLEAN CARS COALITION

Maryland has joined California, Colorado, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. The alliance was formed to help tackle vehicle pollution and lower barriers for consumers to own, drive, and maintain clean cars more affordably. The initiative was launched to adopt and implement clean vehicle programs. MORE

VIDEO OF THE MONTH: Team MDE gathered at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore to celebrate Earth Month and contribute to 5 Million Trees for Maryland

>>> WATCH VIDEO

POST OF THE MONTH: 🚨Lead exposure is still a real danger—especially in older homes. And the ones most affected? Children under 6. 🚨

Peeling paint, old pipes, and even dust can contain lead. It can cause learning disabilities, developmental delays, and behavior problems. But here’s the thing—lead poisoning is 100% preventable.

>>> WATCH REEL