Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection Awards Nearly $750,000 to Community Organizations for Water Quality Improvement
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, has awarded a total of $748,000 in funding to 19 community-driven initiatives across Montgomery County. These grants, provided through the Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program, support local watershed groups, faith-based organizations and other community-based nonprofits in their efforts to improve water quality and promote stewardship of local natural resources.
Grant amounts range from $20,000 to $75,000 and will fund on-the-ground projects designed to improve stream health, reduce stormwater runoff and engage communities in sustainable environmental practices. The program is made possible through the County’s Water Quality Protection Fund and is administered jointly by DEP and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
“The Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program plays a critical role in our ongoing commitment to ensuring all residents of Montgomery County have access to clean waterways and natural resources,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Over the past decade, this program has provided approximately $6.5 million in funding. We are confident that this year’s grants will continue to enhance the long-term health and sustainability of our environment, benefiting communities throughout the County.”
The 19 funded projects are located throughout Montgomery County. Each grant will help reduce stormwater runoff and pollutants affecting water quality, while also focusing on education, outreach and stewardship. Projects include planting native trees and rain gardens, educating residents on responsible road salt use, engaging community members in litter cleanups and water quality sampling, installing rain barrels, reducing pet waste and empowering high school students to design environmental solutions for their neighborhoods.
“DEP is committed to supporting organizations that are led by or serve people of color and low-income communities,” said DEP Director Jon Monger. “This year, 37 percent of the awards went to organizations directly benefitting these communities. Through this initiative, these organizations are fostering environmental stewardship and engaging individuals to take action. From litter cleanups to water quality sampling and conservation landscaping, this funding not only educates but also enhances the health of our local waterways.”
Montgomery County Government is tasked with meeting regulatory watershed restoration and water quality improvement goals. Given that privately owned land vastly exceeds County-owned property, significant efforts from individuals and community-based groups are necessary. The Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program helps local residents and organizations with the tools to take meaningful action to achieve these water quality goals on a community level.
“Empowering more residents to get involved on the local level in their communities promotes the sustainability of the entire County, as well as downstream,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “These residents often cause a ripple effect that inspires other community members to take action. Person by person, neighborhood by neighborhood, projects like these will lead to a measurable difference in the overall health of our local waterways and other natural resources and the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.”
The Clean Water Montgomery grant program typically opens for applications each August. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Chesapeake Bay Trust to discuss potential project ideas prior to applying.
Clean Water Montgomery 2025 Awarded Projects:
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Alice Ferguson Foundation (Silver Spring) — Interactive environmental education and community-led litter cleanups with Rolling Terrace, Sligo Creek and East Silver Spring elementary schools.
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (Silver Spring) — Convert asphalt into a bioretention for stormwater management at Parkside Plaza Condominiums.
Anacostia Riverkeeper (Countywide) — Hands-on community science through water quality sampling and educational community events.
Bethesda Green (Bethesda) — Pet waste initiative to reduce pet waste in parks, neighborhoods and trails to protect local water bodies.
Common Ground Earth, Inc . (Clarksburg) — Implementation of native meadows and rain barrels with community outreach at Clarksburg Church.
Centro de Apoyo Familiar (Silver Spring) — Youth-led watershed stewardship outreach program to Spanish-speaking, faith-based organizations.
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Fairhaven United Methodist Church (Darnestown) — Plant 22 native understory trees to fill in larger canopy tree plantings.
Izaak Walton League of America (Countywide) — Educate and train residents in environmentally conscious road salt application.
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Izaak Walton League of America (Countywide) — Educate and train public schools, businesses and commercial property owners in road salt application best practices.
Little Falls Watershed Alliance (Bethesda) — Build a 600 sq. ft. rain garden and an 800-gallon cistern at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church.
Live Peace Tech Corporation (Silver Spring and Germantown) — Watershed stewardship initiative to empower South Asian American communities.
National Wildlife Federation (Countywide) — Campaign to support native plant installations by congregations and their members.
Nature Forward, Inc (Countywide) — Community-led water quality sampling and public education stations.
Potomac Conservancy (Countywide) — Series of community-centered litter cleanups and watershed stewardship volunteer training.
So What Else, Inc (Gaithersburg-outside city limits) — Community-based programming at Willows Apartment complex to include litter clean-ups, field trips and workshops.
Vietnamese American Services (Countywide) — Build awareness of stormwater management and promote stewardship programs within the Vietnamese community.
Wat Thai Washington, D.C . (Silver Spring) — Conservation landscaping to manage stormwater runoff and improve campus safety.
“The Clean Water Montgomery grant allows us to center youth leadership in environmental problem-solving,” said Maisie Hughes, cofounder and executive director of The Urban Studio. “Through the Community Design Lab: Seneca Creek Watershed, high school students from Germantown will co-create solutions for the stormwater challenges they see every day. It’s about building knowledge, confidence and real impact—from the ground up.”
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Release ID: 25-137
Media Contact: Cindy Peña 202-875-1563
Categories: Award , Education , Environment , Grants , Health , Public Safety , Public Works
For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=46807