Green Team Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Action Plan
The North Beach Environmental Committee kicked-off the Sustainable Maryland Action plan during its January 2017 meeting.
Green Team Mission Statement:
The mission of the North Beach Green Team is to ensure the ongoing preservation of the town’s wetlands, natural shoreline, and green spaces so that residents and visitors may enjoy them now and in the future. We promote a healthy, attractive, sustainable North Beach through green initiatives and public education.
Green Team Action Plan:
The Green Team Action Plan was developed in a cooperative effort of all of the Environmental Committee members, along with additional members which makes up the Green Team. In 2020, members of the Tree Committee, the Stormwater/Flood Committee and several representatives from the North Beach House and Garden Club joined the Green Team. The team worked together on a combined vision statement, goals and objectives to be achieved over a three-year or phased approach. The team is working on Phase 3 , 2021-23 Goals for the entire Green Team Action Plan.
Green Team Vision Statement:
North Beach is one of only two Maryland municipalities located directly on the shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Thus, the well-being of our community is intimately related to that of the bay itself; therefore, the vision of The Town of North Beach over the next decade includes:
- Partnerships - Continue to expand, enhance and grow partnerships with agencies, organizations, non-profits, residents, funders, and the community to assist us with the mission of creating a sustainable and healthy North Beach.
- Energy and Carbon Footprint - Continue to build upon our municipal buildings with green elements, green infrastructure and LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) components to reduce energy needs and reduce our energy consumption as a town.
- Food - Encourage and increase locally grown food production through education and opportunities for community members to produce or purchase food produced organically and sustainably.
- Bike & Pedestrian Friendly/ADA Compliant - Continue to be a strong advocate for walking and biking by developing a streetscape plan that encourages walking, bike paths/lanes and ADA infrastructure.
- Habitat & Water - Continue to be a strong proponent of the preservation and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding waterways.
- •Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - Continue to educate residents, visitors, and the community using the model of the three R’s (reduce, reuse and recycle).
- Planning & Land Use – To encourage our residents, visitors and community to experience and enjoy our open spaces, art sculpture gardens, waterways and beach.
Summary of Action Plan:
Phase One Actions: 2017-2019
- Design, develop and implement environmental green tips throughout the year for all residents, visitors, community and our partners. (2017-18)
- Design and develop “Green Tuesdays” to educate residents, through a video series or exhibit, on things that they can do at home to improve energy efficiency. 2017-19
- Advocate that the Town replace older vehicles in the Town fleet by purchasing hybrids, electric, or alternative vehicles. (2018-19)
- Evaluate the cost to the Town of an electric charging station for electric vehicles for municipal, residents and visitor usage. (Installed and completed 2018)
- Continue to assist and promote our local growers and farmers in creating organic foods.
- Create, develop and fund local gardens for resident Adults, youth and families to participate in learning the skills in farming and growing food.
- Promote and encourage the town to continue the Farmer’s Market.
- Investigate the need for an indoor farmer’s market for the town during the fall and winter months. 2017-2018
- Encourage street art and public engagement to create a cohesive branding strategy of a vibrant community. (Banner competition 2020)
- Encourage the municipal leaders to continue their commitment to become more bike and pedestrian friendly, and make continued investments in creating green streets throughout the town.
- Continue to work on ways to protect the Bay with wetlands and plantings.
- Work with the NB House and Garden Club on events and to promote stewardship in homes with gardens, plants and trees.
- Assist the town with the Annual event – “Plant the Town” to plant trees, flowers.
- Create a recycling education program for residents through print, video and other media. (Completed Conservation and Recycling infographics 2019-2020) (Sustainability page on NB website)
- Participate in the County's "Special Event Recycling Program" by providing recycling containers and recycling education at town sponsored events. (Recycling bins at events 2019 and again in 2021)
- Support County and State goals towards waste reduction.
- Continue to promote a clean Town, and encourage cooperation from the public through the Annual Community Clean-up Program and other educational tools, to protect the Chesapeake Bay from trash.
- Design streets to incorporate stormwater and bioretention measures for proper drainage. Large Stormwater project proposed 2020-2021
Phase Two Actions: 2019-2021
- Hold a yearly Garden & Green Event for residents, community and visitors to participate in activities to learn about ways to reduce your carbon footprint. (Earth Day event 2021)
- Develop and create a home energy certification program as a way of showcasing energy or smart goals for the residents. (Healthy Homes program) 2018-19
- Develop and fund a program that assists homeowners in reducing their energy intake, through an energy audit and energy performance measures, to decrease their utility bills by 20 percent. (Healthy Homes project) 2018-2020)
- Continue to support the Green Schools in the area that educate our young people on the environment and being a steward of the environment. Attend the Green Team meetings at the schools.2019
- Pursue grants for green infrastructure through various funding sources. (KMB grants 2020-2021)
- Protect and promote open spaces for art, water, gardens, and attractions by using art, signage, and environmentally friendly products. (Sunrise Gardens sculpture program) 2017-2021
- Promote Bay-Wise Gardening, Wildlife Habitats, and other environmentally friendly "lawn-alternatives" in both the public and private spaces throughout town.
- Work with the Town to hire a Park Ranger to oversee the Town Parks, protect our Natural Resources and coordinate events and outreach to help the Green Team meet its Goals.
UPDATE 2019
A goal of the Green Team was to hire a Park Ranger or Sustainability Coordinator to help manage North Beach's Green Goals. Lisa Bierer-Garrett was hired in March 2019 as the Director of Eco-Tourism, Head of Community Conservation Department.
UPDATE 2020
The Green Team is the Environmental Committee and will now include the Tree Committee, the Stormwater/Flood Committee and several representatives from the North Beach House and Garden Club.
We are working on Phase Three 2021-2023 Goals for the entire Green Team. North Beach Green Team has updated our Action Plan and added columns for future 2021, 2022 and 2023 action items.
PHASE Three New Actions: 2021-2023
- New Green Team Training 2021
- Expand Community Garden Plots (2021)
- Expand Sustainability throughout the Municipality 2021
- Prepare a Stormwater Action Plan or secure funding to develop the Plan (2021)
- Create a Pollinator patch path/ network among residents (started 2020-21)
- Reactivate the Tree Committee (2021)
- Plan a Tree trail walking trail throughout town with Tree Committee 2022
- Recertify as a Tree City (applied 2021)
- Certify as a Bird City Maryland 2021-2022
- Certify as a National Wildlife Federation Community Habitat 2022
- Create an Annual Earth Day -Green Festival or Fair (done in 2021)
- Complete a Stormwater and Climate Action Plan for Town 2022-23
- Create a Green Businesses Awards program 2022-23