From lush, deep green forests to bland, grey, cement buildings, our world has lost the color of nature to the business of humanity. Areas that were once full of biodiversity now only have diversity in the business casual attire of button-ups and polos. However, there is hope. Around the world groups and leaders are making efforts to revitalize the planet in any small way they can. For an example, Raja Ampat, off the coast of Indonesia was stripped of its sharks due to overfishing, but since 2007 they have made strides in recovery and the area is now a shark nursery for baby sharks and other marine life. It is hard to repeat that success in the mainland United States, but that does not mean there have been no successes.
Frederick County's Division of Energy and Environment (DEE) has received a grant from the State of Maryland to advance the goals of Maryland's progress toward the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Coastal Bays and their tributaries. They want to use the grant money to plant riparian and non-riparian forests and trees to increase forest cover and tree canopies using native tree species of Maryland. The long term goal of this mission is an improvement of water quality and other ecological benefits like storm drainage help, while obviously protecting and expanding the existing forest. The request is to help plant these trees and to maintain them for five years to ensure the quality of water and measure the ecological benefits.
It is no secret that our planet is suffering. Record breaking heat every year, the melting of the ice caps, and the increasing number of endangered animals are all massive signals for us to do better, but those signs go ignored. More and more people have to do their part, and Maryland is making heavy strides on doing just that. To be part of this would mean being an inspiration to others, and interested vendors can click here for more information. The bid closes August 7, 2024 at 2:00 PM PDT.