New Studies Reveal 5 Reasons Policymakers Should Prioritize Local Business
It’s the season of resolutions, and creating a better environment for locally owned businesses to succeed ought to be near the top of every elected official’s list of priorities. That’s […] The post...
View ArticleCommunity FARE working to support sustainable agriculture and local food
You may have seen the article in the Frederick News Post this morning, entitled “Getting Happy with Local Food” (link and excerpts below), and largely about the work of Community […] The post Community...
View ArticleFunding for Farmland Protection and Open Space in MD is under the gun, again!
Dear Friends of Maryland farmland, Once again, funding for farmland protection and open space in Maryland is under the gun. Governor Hogan has now submitted his proposed 2017 budget to […] The post...
View ArticleThe economic value of a unique place
How many times have you heard someone say, dismissively, “Oh, that’s just aesthetics,” or, defensively, “It’s not just aesthetics” to signal that a “real” issue is involved, usually economics. Hogwash,...
View ArticleTake Action Maryland: Don’t Let Zero Waste be Hijacked by Incineration!
RE: Senate Bill 105, entitled “Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority – Name and Authority” ACTION REQUESTED: Click below to send a letter to object to this bill. BACKGROUND: The Northeast […] The...
View ArticleWhy a walk in the woods really does help your body and your soul
Have you ever wondered why you feel healthier and happier when you stroll through the trees or frolic by the sea? Is it just that you’re spending time away from […] The post Why a walk in the woods...
View ArticleLeague of Women Voters to hold Public Forum on Redistricting Reform
On Wednesday, February 24 at 6:15 p.m. the League of Women Voters of Frederick County is holding the Public Forum on Redistricting Reform. It will be at the C. Burr […] The post League of Women Voters...
View ArticleWhat is a productive place?
We use the term, “productive place,” a lot on this site. We contrast a street, which is a platform for building wealth, with a road, which is a high speed […] The post What is a productive place?...
View ArticleNew Poll Cites Overwhelming Public Support for Program Open Space
Partners for Open Space Applauds Program Open Space Trust Fund Act of 2016 The bill would establish an “Open Space Trust Fund,” fully fund Program Open Space by 2018 and […] The post New Poll Cites...
View ArticleZero waste is a goal worth aspiring to
Zero waste? C’mon, get real. That’s impossible. There’s always going to be trash. Sheeesh, what planet are you from? Zero waste is a goal. Ending poverty, hunger and war are […] The post Zero waste is...
View Article2016 Green Neighbor Forum scheduled for March 12 at Hood College
Are you interested in taking action at home or in your neighborhood to improve our environment? Not exactly sure how to get started? Or maybe you’ve already started but are […] The post 2016 Green...
View ArticleThe distorted DNA of your community
You are made principally of carbon. So is every other living thing on earth, from plants to animals to bacteria and DNA itself. There is a reason for this: At […] The post The distorted DNA of your...
View ArticleWant Community? Build Walkability!
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how our cities shape our habits and our lives. Prioritize car travel and parking lots, and you get places where everybody drives. Build places where […] The post Want...
View ArticleCBF Press Release: Supreme Court Allows Chesapeake Bay Blueprint to Stand
Farm Bureau Challenge without Merit (ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The U.S. Supreme Court today denied the request of the American Farm Bureau Federation and its allies to take up their case challenging the […] The...
View ArticlePeepers Are a-Peepin’
The ear-piercing and incessant peeping from the spring peeper is the bellwether of the our region’s annual awakening. It’s amazing that a group of frogs, each smaller than two inches […] The post...
View ArticleThe story of walking in US cities in one graph
This graph, from the 2016 Bicycling & Walking Benchmarking Report, released two days ago, tells you most of what you need to know about walking in US cities. The best […] The post The story of...
View ArticleTop threats to the fish in the Potomac River
From sediment to EDCs, fish are on the front lines when it comes to pollution The Potomac River is home to dozens of species of fish — from largemouth bass […] The post Top threats to the fish in the...
View ArticleHow Nature Can Make You Kinder, Happier, and More Creative
I’ve been an avid hiker my whole life. From the time I first strapped on a backpack and headed into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I was hooked on the experience, […] The post How Nature Can Make You...
View ArticleTen reasons for a new American Dream
A older American Dream, that of town, neighborhood, and city living, was submerged by the suburban American Dream—which controlled the regulations, finance, and investment after World War II. For three...
View ArticleThe Most Important Tree You’ll Ever Plant
Every spring, I am asked to recommend trees for specific spaces, trees that will not drop too much so-called trash, trees that will have pretty flowers, trees that are engineered […] The post The Most...
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