​WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 29, 2020) – Pepco, together with its program administrator Rock Creek Conservancy, have chosen 10 local municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits to receive nearly $125,000 in funds to support open space and resiliency projects in the District of Columbia and Maryland. This funding is provided as part of Pepco's Sustainable Communities Grant program, which was launched earlier this year to support open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, environmental conservation and innovative community resiliency projects. 

"We have a strong commitment to protecting and preserving the environment in the communities we serve. Through our new Sustainable Communities Grant Program, we are helping our communities conserve critical open space, support recreational opportunities and build resilience in the face of a changing climate," said Melissa Lavinson, senior vice president of Governmental and External Affairs for Pepco Holdings. "I commend our community partners and our local leaders for their commitment to sustainability and for the innovative ideas and projects that we are so proud to support. Because, we know that healthy environments equal healthy communities"

"Rock Creek has long been a source of resilience for our region - and the Conservancy's people-powered restoration ensures its stewardship can continue, even through a pandemic," said Jeanne Braha, executive director of Rock Creek Conservancy. "We are grateful for the support from Pepco and thrilled to welcome the partnership of so many other organizations in this critical work to advance our region's open space priorities and enhancing resilience." 

Pepco's Sustainable Communities Grant Program provides $125,000 in grants annually to fund open space and environmental projects and resiliency projects across Pepco's District of Columbia and Maryland service area. The program provides $75,000 in grants of up to $10,000 each to municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits for projects focusing on open space preservation, improvements to parks and recreation resources, and environmental conservation. The program also provides $50,000 in grants up to $25,000 each to support resiliency projects.

In partnership with Rock Creek Conservancy, an award-winning nonprofit dedicated to the restoration of Rock Creek and its 33-mile watershed, Pepco provides grants to the following municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits:

• New Partners Community Solar Corp. ($25,000) - Funds the addition of a highly-efficient battery and sophisticated solar power management system at Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School to serve low-income households.
• One Montgomery Green ($21,500) - Funds Climate Resilience project to engage and educate at-risk communities of color in Wheaton and Silver Spring on climate change vulnerabilities, resilience, and adaptation.
• Accokeek Foundation ($9,725) - Funds trail improvement, installation of interpretative signs, development of web content and printed brochure for Piscataway Park along the Potomac River.
• Bethesda Green ($10,000) - Funds installation of a series of rain gardens or bioretention cells in existing medians and impervious areas to manage stormwater as the Bethesda Urban District community grows.
• C&O Canal Trust ($10,000) - Funds the Canal for All program to engage diverse youth in volunteer and paid conservation work in the C&O Canal National Historical Park.
• Casey Trees ($10,000) - Funds the Community Canopy project to empower a community to enhance their neighborhood with 30 trees to be planted and cared for by community members.
• City Blossoms ($10,000) - Funds free, drop-in programming at the Youth Garden at the Farm at Kelly Miller to provide environmental engagement and stewardship education opportunities for children in Ward 7.
• Friends of Wangari Gardens ($7,000) - Funds development design of an Open Space Plan for Wangari Gardens a sustainable and inclusive community of local gardeners and volunteers.
• One Common Unity ($10,000) - Funds Fly By Light Environmental Leadership program for students from 18 DC public schools providing a curriculum of in-school lessons and nature-based programming.
• Ward 8 Woods Conservancy ($10,000) - Funds Suitland Parkway south side forest restoration by providing meaningful employment for Ward 8 residents who face barriers to employment.
  

Municipalities, recreational authorities and nonprofits in the Pepco service area can apply for a Sustainable Communities grant each year. A committee with representatives from Pepco, Rock Creek Conservancy, county agencies and conservation organizations reviews each application and selects the projects to receive funding. 

The grant application for 2020 is currently closed, but interested organizations can learn more about the Sustainable Communities Grant Program and how to submit a grant request at https://bit.ly/3kEqsgi.

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