Skip to Main Content

Loading

Loading
Homepage
  1. Pay & Apply
  1. Alerts & Notices
  1. Report
/QuickLinks.aspx
Search sm
  1. City News
  1. City Departments
  1. Mayor & Council
  1. City Events
  1. City Maps
  1. City Governance
/QuickLinks.aspx

Guide:

Sustainability

Sustainable Maryland Certification

October 24, 2022 - The City of College Park is pleased to announce that it received the Sustainable Maryland Certified Award during the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s (MML) Fall Conference on October 13, 2022. The City was certified at the Silver Level.  This is the fourth time that the City has received the award, after its first certification in 2013.

A total of 18 Maryland municipalities were honored at the awards ceremony. To achieve certification, municipalities are required to form a Green Team comprised of local residents, community leaders, municipal staff and officials; complete a variety of sustainability-related actions; and submit the appropriate documentation as evidence.   To achieve a Silver level, municipalities must score above 400 points; the City was certified at the Silver Level with 580 points.

 For a detailed summary of the City of College Park’s sustainability actions and certification report, please click here.

City sustainable initiatives

ONLY RAIN DOWN THE DRAIN!

In the Fall of 2021, the Committee for a Better Environment partnered with the College Park Arts Exchange to bring environmental awareness about pollution, specifically what goes down the drain ends up in our waterways. The storm drain murals depict plants and animals that are part of the Anacostia Watershed. Look for more artwork in the near future.

  1. Sunset on the Water

    "Sunset on the Water", by artists Maria Soboleva, Jak Lunsford, and Maddie Olek. Located at Knox Avenue at the intersection of Yale Avenue, in back of City Hall. Completed in May 2023

  2. Dog Park 1

    "Wise Mr. Toad" by artist H.K. Beall, is located at 9300 51st Avenue, at the Dog Park. Completed May 2023.

  3. Dog Park 2

    "Box Turle Speaks Up" by artist H.K. Beall, is located at 9300 51st Avenue, at the Dog Park. Completed May 2023.

  4. Rowboat and turtle

    "Our Creature Neighbors" by artist Niamh Ducey. Located at St. Andrews Place to the left of the entrance into the park. Completed May 2023.

  5. Heron Storm Drain Final

    "Rise of the Herons" by artist HK Beall, is located in the 4900 block of Berwyn Road at the Trolley Trail. Completed October 2021.

  6. Block Grid Mural

    Block Grid Mural. Completed September 2022.

  7. Maelstrom-web

    Maelstrom. Painted by UMD Students in the Fall of 2022.

  8. Beaver-dam-Mural-web

    Beaver dam Mural. Painted by UMD Students in the Fall of 2022.

  9. birds-in-flight-web

    Birds in flight. Painted by UMD Students in the Fall of 2022.

  10. Tiny Bubbles Lakeland Storm Drain

    "Tiny Bubbles" by artist Sierra Sigmone, located in the 8000 block of Rhode Island Avenue, beside Lakeland Community Playground. Completed September 2022.

  11. Final RI Ave Pic

    "Otters at Play" by artist Chrissy Wilkin is located in the 7500 block of Rhode Island Avenue beside the Trolley Trail. Completed September 2021

  12. Updated Art Final

    "Ambiente Anacostia" by artist Alison Lovejoy Spain, is located in front of 5207 Lackawanna Street, prior to the entrance to the Greenbelt Metro. Completed May 2022.

  13. Fish Mural

    Fish Mural. Painted by UMD Students in the Fall of 2022.

  14. Turtle Mural

    Turtle Mural. Painted by UMD Students in the Fall of 2022.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14

Other Sustainability Initiatives

Better Bag Ordinance

Aims to reduce single-use plastic bag waste and litter in our local waterways and tributary system. Goes into effect September 1, 2023. Click to learn more.

Food Scrap Drop Off & Curbside Collection Programs

Divert organic materials from the landfills at our Food Scrap Drop-Off locations or via curbside collections (you must register to participate). Click to learn more.

Tree Plantings

Learn about the City's Tree Canopy Enhancement Program and much more!  Click to learn more.

Solar Panels on City Buildings

The City has installed solar panels on the City's Youth and Family Services building's roof as well as the Department of Public Works garage.

EV Stations

The City has installed several EV (Electrical Vehicle) charging stations around the City including at City Hall and the Downtown College Park Garage. 

PEPCO - In-Person Quick Home Energy Check-up

How It Works: A certified Energy Analyst will visit your home and assess the condition of the following items:

  • Insulation levels
  • Air leakage
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • Windows and doors
  • Lighting and appliances
  • Water heating equipment

TREES OF THE TROLLEY TRAIL

In the fall of 2021, the Committee for a Better Environment (CBE) rolled out a Tree Identification Program to show residents native trees along the Trolley Trail in College Park. Signs were installed and an online storyboard was created (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6dcf259994054ac1ae668136798d6bb7). The program will continue in 2023 with more trees being identified and the storyboard will be updated.

Green Award

Each year, the City of College Park Committee for a Better Environment (CBE) recognizes nominations for special effort made by members of the local community to protect and conserve the environment. 

In addition to commending those who have contributed in some way to a healthier environment, CBE hopes to:              

  • Increase environmental awareness. 
  • Encourage wider appreciation of nature and adoption of environmentally responsible practices.

For additional information, call the Sustainability Coordinator at  240-487-3590.

Past winners include:

  1. 2023
  2. 2022
  3. 2021
  4. 2020
  5. 2019
  6. 2018
  7. 2016
  8. 2015
  9. 2012
  10. 2011
  11. 2010
  12. 2009
  1. 2023

Girl Scout Green Award 2023girl scouts at bee hotel


Girl Scout Troup 96  (nominated by Alan Hew)

The Girl Scouts supported and participated in the City’s Spring Tree giveaway and Bee City USA’s Pollinator Week Bee Hotel Workshop. They planted a Pollinator Garden at the Permaculture Garden and built a Bee Hotel Sculpture at Calvert Road along the Trolley Trail.  




Sean Phelan Green Awardee




Sean Phelan  (nominated by Alan Hew)
For leading a beautification project at the American Legion Post 217, featuring a large pollinator garden where 150-200 native pollinator plants were planted, and a rain barrel was installed. Sean continues to add additional plants and maintains the garden.






Irene and Victor 2023 IMG_4169



Victor and Irina Yakovenko  (nominated by Anahi Espindola) 
For Environmental Leadership and Stewardship. Victor and Irina Yakovenko of Calvert Hills use solar and geothermic power, they super-insulated their home, and have a cool roof. They have high-efficiency appliances and lighting as well as high-efficiency low-E windows. They created a website where they share their knowledge and provide guidance to others.


 

 

AKA group IMG_0770



Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (nominated by Todd Larsen) 
For Environmental Leadership and Stewardship. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has helped with several City environmental events. They helped the Tree and Landscape Board distribute trees in the Fall of 2022 and they volunteered for a Committee for a Better Environment Permaculture weeding, planting, and cleanup event in March of 2023. The group’s passion for serving the community was inspiring to see. Their members come from all over, and working with them in our community highlights their willingness to serve wherever needed.


  1. 2022

Catherine OberfieldCatherine Oberfield (nominated by Todd Larson)

Catherine resides in Berwyn and is a farmer by trade.  She runs a food scrap pickup service, Berwyn Compost. In addition, while she was a student at the University of Maryland, she assisted with the community garden located at the intersection of Fordham Rd and Rhode Island Ave, adjacent to the trolley trail in the Calvert Hills neighborhood of College Park.

 

Renee Domogauer 2022Renee Domogauer (nominated by Caroline Wick)

Renee is a long-time resident of the Calvert Hills neighborhood in College Park. For many years she has organized neighbors to plant and maintain flowers & perennials in the planters along the trolley trail in Calvert Hills. This year, she also helped coordinate planting perennials in the planters along the Old Town section of the trolley trail.


Renee has also worked persistently to reduce litter on the streets of Calvert Hills and Old Town. During the pandemic, she organized neighbors to be responsible for picking up litter along individual streets in the Calvert Hills neighborhood and collaborated with UMD students to pick up litter in the Old Town neighborhood. She also successfully advocated for more trash and recycling receptacles along the trolley trail. 

Most recently, Renee organized a refurbishing of the Little Free Library near the College Park daycare.  


Meg OatesMeg Oates (nominated by Caroline Wick)

Meg was the driving force behind starting the Calvert Hills Green Team during the pandemic. Meg organized a trash pick-up in Calvert Park, a boat tour of the Anacostia River, and many other activities. Meg recently stepped down as co-chair, but her work laid the foundation for the Green Team's current work. Recently, the Green Team removed English Ivy from trees in Calvert Park and did a trash clean-up around Calvert Hills and Old Town.

 

 

 

  1. 2021

Urs and Anihi Weber Green Award Winner 06.10.21Urs Weber and Anahí Espíndola (nominated by Caroline Wick)

Urs and Anahí are residents of the Calvert Hills neighborhood in College Park. They are receiving a Green Award because they maintain a large vegetable, herb, and wild plant garden, and happily share their understanding and enthusiasm with neighbors and passersby. After moving into the house, Urs and Anahí changed their front lawn into a garden that produces vegetables year-round. Their home is adjacent to the trolley trail and they receive many inquiries about their gardening experiences. They have inspired many to begin growing plants and food, and planting natives. Recently, Urs convened a virtual meeting for College Park residents to discuss gardening and share the neighborhood’s experiences. 

Rick Borshelt GreenAward 06.10.21Rick Borchelt (nominated by Caroline Wick)

Rick is a resident of the Calvert Hills neighborhood in College Park. He is receiving a Green Award based on his efforts to keep his neighbors informed about and connected to the natural world. Most recently, Rick contributed to the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). Following the GBBC, Rick sent an email to the neighborhood listserv summarizing the results and providing insight about which types of birds were seen. Rick maintains a pollinator-friendly garden and he provides information about his garden to interested neighbors. In the Spring of 2020, Rick shared mint cuttings with interested neighbors. Rick also sends regular email updates to the neighborhood listserv educating neighbors about local wildlife and plants. Calvert Hills residents appreciate all that he does.

Friends of Guilford RunFriends of Guilford Run (nominated by Alexa Bely)

The student-led group Friends of Guilford Run is being awarded a Green Award for their environmental stewardship of Guilford Run, a stream running near the southern edge of the City. Guilford Run is a part of the Anacostia River watershed and ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Friends of Guilford Run is led by University of Maryland undergraduate students affiliated with Hope Lutheran Church. 

Started a few years ago by Dan LeKites and Laura Tiffany, the group is currently led by Sandra Roper and Jordan Kreh. Friends of Guilford Run have led regular cleanups of the Run, which receives a considerable input of trash from surrounding roads and development, and have also done native plantings along the banks of the stream. Through their leadership and outreach, the group has helped engage numerous people of diverse affiliations in these activities. The efforts of this group improve the beauty and environmental health of the stream, and positively impact local and downstream communities and wildlife.

Janis Oppelt 2021 wGreenAwardJanis Oppelt (nominated by Alan Hew)

Janis Oppelt is the ideal Green Resident we all strive to be.  She diligently recycles, composts, utilizes a rain barrel, and plants native plants and plantings that promote pollinators and wildlife.  Janis has participated in many community events such as cleanups, community gardening, storm drain marking, and College Park Day.  Janis served the City for many years as Chair of the Committee for a Better Environment where she led many workshops and showings of environmental films for our community.  Janis also currently serves on the local Sierra Club chapter promoting environmental issues.  


  1. 2020

Kathy Bryant - nominated for her efforts in raising environmental awareness and working to protect a wetland, located just south of the Old Town Playground and northwest of the College Park metro station, is known as the Sentinel Swamp Sanctuary and sometimes referred to as the “primordial swamp” or “frog pond."

Scott Wilson – for picking up litter throughout northern College Park.

Scott Wilson green team winner



Scott Wilson posing with award during Pandemic social distancing.

  1. 2019
  • Russell Robinette – for picking up litter throughout Berwyn on a daily basis 
  • Mr. Van & Mrs. Sangi Tluanga – for greening their home and yard and collecting litter in their neighborhood
  • Proteus Bikes – for its work in educating the community about biking and leading group bike rides to get more people riding bikes.
  • Stuart Adams – for his efforts in mobilizing opposition to a proposed development on Route 1 that would have removed a last green space.

Proteus Bikes P7290275


CBE Chair Todd Larsen presents Green Award to Laurie Lemieux of Proteus Bicycle 2019.



Russell Robinett Green Award


CBE Chairs Todd Larsen and Janis Oppelt present Green Award to Russell Robinette 2019.

  1. 2018

The award for the Environmental Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) went to La Prima Catering, a certified "green" caterer located on Berwyn Road. La Prima offers compostable plates and utensils and uses 100% renewable energy to power its kitchens.

The award for Environmentally Friendly Landscaping went to Frank and Faye Hawkins who have made their North College Park yard not only beautiful but a natural sanctuary for birds, bees and other wildlife.

The award for Environmental Achievement went to Stasia and Myron Hutchison for reducing their energy consumption, installing rain barrels and solar panels, and avoiding pesticides to combat ticks.

The award for Conservation of Natural Resources went to Girl Scout Troop #1734 and its leader Donna Weene for their monthly trash cleanups along Rhode Island Ave in North College Park. Congratulations and thank you all for being so green!

  1. 2016

College Park Litter Logo_REVISEDv2No Green Awards this year, because the group decided to have a contest for a logo design.

Congratulations to the Kathy Everett and Gina Tomko, the winners of the City of College Park's Committee for a Better Environment Litter Logo Contest! 

The Committee for a Better Environment set out to find a logo design that raised awareness of litter, proper waste disposal, and recycling in our city. 

A design contest was then held during the month of April. Designers of all ages and abilities were asked to incorporate graphic elements, characters, colors, and/or a text slogan to evoke a liter-awareness message. 

The winning submission and final design by Gina Tomko and Kathy Everett from the Non-student/Resident Category – they won $250. 

Girl Scout Troup 1734 College Park Methodist Church won second place $100 and were in the Elementary/High School student Category

Michelle Delabrer won third place $50 from the University Student Category. 


  1. 2015

No Green Award given, but the following were nominated: 

La Prima La Prima Catering, 5105 Berwyn Rd, College Park, MD 20740 (nominated by Phil Aronson) dedicated to improving our environmental impact. Currently, we offer green services for all catered events, including compostable plates and utensils and farm-to-table menus with organic, locally grown food. Environmental goals include: 

Mr. Van & Mrs Sangi Tluanga, 9300 Davidson Street, College Park, MD  20740 (nominated by Zari Malsawma)
Rain barrel, vegetable garden in the backyard, compost pile.  Sangi also collects recyclable trash for recycling as she walks the Buck Lodge trail & park.

Mr. Paul & Mrs. Rose Haldemann, 9118 St. Andrews Place, College Park, MD  20740 (nominated by Zari Malsawma)
Just went solar a couple of months ago - solar panels installed on two sides of rooftop.  Rose is dedicated to keeping her block clean by picking up trash on the road in front of her house, and keeping the picnic area in the CPW Neighborhood Park across from her house clean.

Stasia and Myron Hutchison of Cherry Hill (nominated by Mary Cook)
Examples of how they protect the environment include: installation of solar panels; use of solar panels to charge battery to run TV displaying their daughter, Caitlyn's environmental video; use of lemon and eucalyptus spray to combat ticks; turning down the thermostat in the winter and up in the summer; use of rain barrels

  1. 2012

Clay Gump: Conservation of Natural Resources

Dr. Victor Yakovenko: Environmental 3-Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Christiane Williams: Environmentally Friendly Landscaping and Beautification

Robert Boone: Other Environmental Achievements

  1. 2011

Environmentally Friendly Landscaping and Beautification:  Rick Borchelt, botanist and horticulturist, for his garden, which is registered as a National Wildlife Habitat and as a Certified Butterfly Garden; for his use of native and heirloom plants in landscaping; and for his minimal use of herbicides and pesticides. 

Conservation of Natural Resources:   Vicky Hageman for her work as a Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek (CCRIC) activist to protect Indian Creek, including coordinating clean-ups, reporting dumping violations, and instigating a storm drain awareness program.

Award for Other Environmental Achievements:  Eric Maring for his work as an environmental educator of children through music.

"Environmental 3-R's: Reduce - Reuse - Recycle":   Spellman House for its installation of 50 solar panels, a cool roof, and an energy-efficient furnace; for use of recycled materials in its fencing and outdoor furniture; and for other environmental efforts, including use of nontoxic paints, installation of a pervious crushed stone walkway, and extensive landscaping.

Jason’s Deli received an honorable mention.

  1. 2010

Russell Robinette – Litter cleanup

Joanne Calabrese – Conservation of Natural Resources

  1. 2009

Recognition but no award to Department of Public Works (3 Rs):

Boy Scout Troop 740: Environmentally Friendly Landscaping and Beautification 

David Ruppert: Conservation of Natural Resources and native tree propagation

Davey Rogner, UM student: Other. Founded the University Group on clean energy. Promoted environmental sustainability through music.

City Sustainability Plan

SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

In October of 2015, the City Council unanimously expressed support for the City Operations Sustainability Plan and requested that the City Manager begin implementation.  The plan was developed by an inter-departmental task force, created at the direction of Council in 2014.  The purpose of the task force was to develop a plan that would:

  • reduce carbon emissions and other environmental and unhealthy impacts created by City operations;
  • coordinate sustainable practices across all City operations;
  • position the City as an organization receptive to innovation and leading practices in sustainability;
  •  improve the quality of life for residents; and,
  • conserve financial and capital resources using a long-term perspective on investment.

You can download the plan by clicking here.  You can also download the Executive Summary, the Implementation Table, the Appendix, and the Resource Guide.  Please note that this plan is for City operations, and is not a community-wide sustainability plan.  

If you have comments or suggestions about the plan, feel free to contact the City Manager’s Office.  As always, you may contact your Council members to provide comments and suggestions.

Homepage
Notify me
facebook
Twitter
Insgram
  1. City Hall
    7401 Baltimore Avenue
    College Park, MD 20740
    Departments & Hours

  2. Phone:
    240.487.3500
Site Map
Report a Problem
Privacy & Accessibility
Careers
Webmaster
Employee Login
  1. City Departments
  2. City Governance
  3. Guides to College Park
  4. Calendar
  5. Events
  6. News
  7. Maps
  8. Places
  9. Projects
  10. Sustainability
  11. ARPA: City Assistance Programs
  12. About the City
  13. Store
  14. Pay & Apply
  15. Alerts & Notices
  16. Report
Arrow Left Arrow Right
[]
Slideshow Left Arrow Slideshow Right Arrow