READY Receives Melanie Teems Award

From Howard County: Howard County announced today that the Restoring the Environment and Developing Youth (READY) Program was awarded the Melanie Teems Award by the Chesapeake Bay Trust for its outstanding coordination of community members and resources to support the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

“READY has been a vital partner coordinating the efforts of 160 young people to construct or maintain more than 100 rain gardens, manage 50 acres of forest conservation easement property, and mitigate flood damage,” said County Executive Allan H. Kittleman. “These young people are making a positive difference in our environment and learning valuable skills for their futures.”

The Chesapeake Bay Trust presents the Melanie Teems Award to a model project or program that excels at engaging the community in efforts to improve the region’s natural resources. The award is named after the longest serving staff member of the Trust and is one of six special awards presented at the annual Legislative Reception and Awards Program.

‘We are proud of READY’s contributions to Howard County’s communities, schools, non-profits, County government and young adult population,” said Lori Lilly, READY Project Manager. “In 2016, we contributed more than 1,000 hours of time to remove 13,100 lbs. of debris and bulk trash after the July 30 flood in Ellicott City and kicked-off a native plant nursery in partnership with the Howard County Department of Corrections.”

READY works with Howard County Government to fund employment of young adults, ages 16-25, in “green” jobs building and maintaining stormwater projects throughout the County to help alleviate the flow of stormwater runoff and improve local watershed health. The program received $450,000 from the County in the current fiscal year and is administered by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a nonprofit, grant-making organization dedicated to improving the streams, rivers, and other natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay region through environmental education, community engagement, and local watershed restoration. Since 1985, the Trust has awarded $80 million in grants and projects that engage thousands of dedicated individuals in efforts to improve watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay.

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