Back river restoration committe- from operating the trash boom to organizing community stream clean-ups, the BRRC is the most active and engaged watershed organization in the County

Hillcrest Elementary Green Club - growing young enviromentalists!

Bob P. The Public Health Garden at the U of Md. Teaching Sustaimable growing practices and donating homegrown food to local shelters

Friends of Sligo Creek just had its annual Sweep the Creek spring cleanup last weekend, including sites near Wheaton.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation - save the bay!

Nonprofit Energy Alliance! Since May 2010, it has allowed 50 DC and MD nonprofits to save a collective $366,000 by purchasing clean energy through Clean Currents instead of standard energy service. This is equivalent to taking 1,700 cars off of the roads or powering 700 homes for a year! http://nonprofitenergyalliance.org

Ducks Unlimited is unparalelled in their efforts and funding for wetlands conservation.

Local Nonprofit TALMAR Gardens and Horticultural Therapy Center helps individuals with disabilities while using green, organic, and sustainable practices!

Greater Severna Park Watershed Action Group! (www.gspwag.org) Just celebrated hosting its 9th Annual Earth Day with over 50 exhibitors teaching area residents and businesses how to improve our local environment. We will also do several homeowner workshops in the Fall teaching the proper methods of property/lawn maintenance. These actions have and will continue to improve how we treat the Bay.

Friends of Patapsco Heritage Greenway. They work to clean the Patapsco River and surrounding streams, as well as educating their volunteers to monitor stream quality and report problems.

Greater Severna Park Watershed Action Group. This is a nice, small local non-profit who spreads the good word of environmental concerns such as energy efficiency, shop local, native gardening - and the word is spread close to home.

South River Federation!

Ma & Pa Heritage Trail!

Piney orchard elementary !
In the last two years POES has become a Maryland green school.
The kids in the environmental club meet monthly to learn about environment issues in the classroom,and get some hands on applications around the school. Planting trees, painting storm drains ect.

Waugh Chapel Elementary PTA- through the work of volunteers and donations, they have transformed the landscape of Waugh Chapel by installing Learning Gardens in front of their school. The Learning Gardens are maintained yearly with a spring clean up and monthly by the Nation Honor Society and volunteers. Also with the help of Arlington Echo, Waugh Chapel has created a monarch butterfly and blue bird garden. The butterfly garden is registered with Arlington Echo. The learning gardens offer students the chance to learn about the environment while taking care of their environment. All money for the gardens is raised by the PTA.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation! It's Maryland's artery of goodness we need to protect!

GreenWheaton - They are working to visible green Wheaton and the surrounding communities.

Arlington Echo Outdoor Education , Anne Arundel County Public Schools ~ They educate all the Anne Arundel County School about the environment and local water ways.
They have many summer camps that have given many students wonderful memories.

Clean Water Action gets my vote.

Clean Water Action!

Back River Restoration Committee - Save Back River!!!

The Sean Tully Save the World Foundation - we start changing the world one person at a time - beginning with me! And that $500.00 cash would be a good way to get the ball rolling.

Dundalk Renaissance Corporation

Back River Restoration Committee

Back River Restoration Committee!

Todd's Inheritance Historic Site, Inc...

“Tire-d” of the Trash? Join Clean Bread and Cheese Creek as we work to clean up our historic stream and the community. We are an all volunteer non-profit organization funded entirely through donations. Our cleanups are run as as a family event with activities designed for every age and ability level. We believe when families and individuals volunteer together to restore nature it develops environmental stewardship and strengthens community bonds. Together we ARE making a difference! Won’t you join us?

The Baltimore Streetcar Museum Inc. - they preserve the original "green" public transit.

Back River Restoration Committee - hands down

Clean Bread and Cheese Creek - The devotion and commitment from this group is unbelievable. After seeing the devotion and effort made by this group made me get involved. I now volunteer at all of their clean ups and help make a difference.

Friends of Patapsco Heritage Greenway.

Trinity School, Ellicott City, MD These students have been working very hard on their green initiatives. They are also working on a school garden to create a home for the local butterflies and birds and grow green at the same time!

Catonsville Tree Canopy Project

I vote for the Patapsco Heritage Greenway. In the past 6 years, they have conducted over 180 cleanups removing over 264 tons of trash/junk (that's the weight of 45 elephants or 31 school buses!) from the Patapsco River watershed, with over 6,000 volunteers! And removed over 11,000 pounds of invasive plants, and hold hundreds of workshops and educational events teaching residents, both young and old, how they can help preserve, protect and enhance our watershed!!!!!

Patapsco Heritage Greenway

Clean Water Action

Blue Water Baltimore - a nonprofit that previously was 5 different watershed protection groups that merged to serve more areas and reduce redundant organizations. AND they do great work in monitoring the water safety levels in Baltimore.

Operation Oliver-The 6th branch-Dedicated to cleaning up Baltimore's inner-city impoverished, crime-ridden neighborhood of Oliver, by removing trash, planting green spaces and trees, and helping residents beautify the area in which they live. A great cause. Look it up. They're putting on the "Operation Oliver 5K" this Sat. April 28th and still are about 200 runners/walkers short of their goal. Support a great cause!

Hillsmere Elementary School!! Our PTA has an environmental education committee that would put this to great use!!

I say, "The Human Fund"

Sparrows Point High School SPECIES Program. Environmental science magnet. For our future!

Freedom Elementary School and Teacher Jane Castner for all her efforts coordinating their Environmental programs at the school.

Trinity School in Ellicott City, MD.
Trinity School is working on our Green School designation. Students are educated about the environment in science classes and through activities including recycling, zero waste lunches, and our beautiful new outdoor classroom.

South River Federation!! Working to protect, preserve and restore our communites most natural prized resource.

Evergreen School in Wheaton/SIlver Spring developed an award-winning rain garden, hosts an annual Green Symposium in addition to an extensive environmental education curriculum. Evergreen is an EPA designated Green School and recent applicant for MAEOE Green School Certification.

SAVE THE BAY FOUNDATION!

I would love to suggest the HdG green team but official non-profit papers have not been filed yet.

Friends of Patapsco Heritage Greenway

The South River Federation works to preserve, protect, restore, and celebrate the South River. They offer a vast array of volunteer opportunities from growing oysters to tree planting to stream cleanups to engage people in the restoration of our River and Bay. This money would go a long way to help them continue offering volutneer events for the community.

The South River Federation is a wonderful group of hard-working people cleaning up our beautiful river!!

Anne Arundel County Public Schools Green Schools Program. Help education our future on the environment. The greatest impact you can make is on children.

Magothy River Association.

Conservation Montgomery - http://conservationmontgomery.org/ working on environmental quality of life issues with rich programming.

South River Federation!! Preserving, Protection, Restoring and Celebration the South River, MD!!

Amazon Conservation Association - www.amazonconservation.org - Help save the greatest rainforest on Earth!

Back River Restoration Committee!!!!!

I would say the Bay Journal, but I can't find information saying that they are a 501c3, so I'll go with The Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Landscape and Nature Discoveries Inc (LAND) locally here in Dickerson MD - a non-profit that provides outdoor education programs for kids to teach them about nature and conservation, after school nature clubs, community service projects, field trips, etc.

Oyster Recovery Partnership -- MD's leading nonprofit restoring oysters in our Chesapeake Bay with over 3 BILLION oysters planted on 1500 acres of reefs and 15,000 bushels of used shell recycled! Oyster reefs are one of the most endangered habitats on the planet, but are crucial to restoring our Bay. Please consider supporting this worthy cause and under-publicised group who is actually out there DOING the large-scale restoration work. More than 90% of each dollar goes directly back into planting oysters in our Bay.
www.oysterrecovery.org

Back River Restouration Committe. We could use the money towards the cost of a floating wetlands. The wetlands will be used to mitigate nutrient polution and provide habitat for fish,

Oklahoma Middle School's Green Team!

Hillcrest Elementary School's Green Club

Kentlands Go Green

Freedom Elementary 4th grade green team.

Scenic Rivers Land Trust of Anne Arundel County, which hold conservation easements on over 2,260 acres of permanently protected land.

PHS National Art Honor Society for Project Greenway!

Wow! Your responses have been awesome. Keep them coming! Thanks for reading Patch.
—Doug Donovan
Senior Regional Editor
Maryland, Virginia, D.C.
Patch.com
doug@patch.com

back river restoration committee

Freedom Elementary Green Team!!!!

Gunpowder Valley Conservancy !! Tree planting & stream cleanup !! I love to help !!!

Vote for the GVC !!!

Catonsville Tree Canopy Project gets my vote.

Freedom Elementary School has a Green project that is a good for the entire Eldersburg, MD community! Encourage these students with your check which will give them much needed support!
A loving grandmother,
Judy Clarke

Blue Water Action. A coalition of environmentalists working all over Baltimore.

Freedom Elementary Green Team!!

The Catonsville Tree Canopy Project

Greater Severna Park Watershed Action Group…they just hosted their annual Earth Day festival at Severna Park Middle School.

Love the Howard County Conservancy. Hosts over 6,000 school students a year for field trips, over 2,500 people attend their public education programs, offer 4 miles of hiking trails and 232 acres of a preserved historic Howard County Farm. This private non-profit would love the donation and new visitors! http:\\www.hcconservancy.org.

Reduction In Motion (http://www.reductioninmotion.com/) Fallston, MD

CCRIC(Citizens to Conserve and Restore Indian Creek) has been in existence since 1999. In that time they have done numerous creek cleanups; given slide shows at schools about the wild life in the Greenbelt area wetlands.; planted rain gardens; held rain barrel workshops, and helped to educated the public about stormwater runoff.

The Bowleys Quarters Community Association (BQCA) has adopted part of Bowleys Quarters Road and is in their fifth year of cleanups at a pace of 4 times per year. We had coordinated the installation of 42 Oyster Hotels to cleanup the river until the fresh water replaced the brackish water needed by the oysters. We have also fought against the condo proposal to place a building footprint of 128,000 square feet with only a 50 foot setback from Galloway Creek without a storm water runoff plan. The project was denied for the third time as of last November as a result of a 10 day Hearing.

Maryland SPCA

North County Land Trust, http://www.ncltrust.org/. A non-profit, grassroots group working to save woodlands, wetlands, and open space in Northern Anne Arundel County. So far, more than 200 acres preserved for future generations!

Ducks Unlimited!!!!

Stormwater Partners network of Montgomery County!

Waste Not! Carroll - trying to stop the Carroll/Frederick Waste of Energy Incinerator

Cromwell Valley Park Council...

I nominate Neighbors of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River, which just had another successful multi-site cleanup of this waterway for Earth Day. Neighbors can use the $500 for outreach to adjacent neighborhoods to encourage more stream and Bay friendly practices on their property.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway!!!

Patapsco Heritage Greenway!

In addition to Betsy McMillion's comments above, this group is getting ready for it's 13th annual Garlic Mustard Challenge on Sunday afternoon May 6th in the Orange Grove area of the Patapsco State Park (Elkridge). So far PHG volunteers have pulled over 15,000 lbs of the invasive plant -- that's equivalent to the weight of seven and a half VWs! In a couple hours on single afternoon the families, college students, work buddies, etc. pull over 1,000 lbs and then enjoy educational exhibits and sample treats cooked with garlic mustard for flavoring. Please come out an help. It's fun! For more info www.PatapscoHeritageGreenway.org

Patapsco Heritage Greenway!

In addition to Betsy McMillion's comments above, this group is getting ready for it's 13th annual Garlic Mustard Challenge on Sunday afternoon May 6th in the Orange Grove area of the Patapsco State Park (Elkridge). So far PHG volunteers have pulled over 15,000 lbs of the invasive plant -- that's equivalent to the weight of seven and a half VWs! In a couple hours on single afternoon the families, college students, work buddies, etc. pull over 1,000 lbs and then enjoy educational exhibits and sample treats cooked with garlic mustard for flavoring. Please come out an help. It's fun! For more info www.PatapscoHeritageGreenway.org

Waste Not Carroll [county] is a great example of dedicated citizens making progress with complex solid waste issues. This group has deftly managed to get the attention of county government and realigned its focus from an expensive, non-sustainable solution by building a $500 Million waste to energy incinerator to examining how citizens can reduce their weekly waste pickups through recycling and composting. This is a hands on group that has tackled messy wastes at may county festivals by literally sorting through trash bins. They have the respect of government officials and the citizens.

Green Wheaton is doing a good steady job of mobilizing residents to support sustainable businesses and practices in the Wheaton area. They share loads of information, provide opportunities to participate in environmentally friendly actions, and are also a welcoming group of neighbors. Green Wheaton is following the model of other communities that have revitalized their economies and quality of life through sustainable commitments. They deserve the Patch support!

I vote for Patapsco Heritage Greenway - a great organization with dedicated volunteers.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway.

Wow, there are a lot of great organizations listed here and many admirers. I will vote for my local group, GreenWheaton here in Wheaton, MD. GreenWheaton has programs and projects that promote going visibly green in your own neighborhood.

How about Catonsville Rails To Trails? We are currently building the 2.2 mile Short Line Trail which will extend from the back of Charlestown Retirement Community to Mellor Ave. near the Armory. We need funding for cleanup days to clear the trail. When completed, the trail will connect dozens of neighborhoods to the business district.

I can't think of a more deserving group then the Patapsco heritage Greenway. KIT

Catonsville Rails to Trails !!

Catonsville Rails to Trails (CRTT) . Has clean up and paved the old trolley line between Frederick and Edmonson. CRTTis now cleaning up the trail where the old Catonsville Short line rail road ran through Catonsville. Plan is to clear this Short Line trail and have it paved for walking and biking, which both cleans up the evironment but also enhances recreation and "livability" within Catonsville.

I vote for Catonsville Rails to Trails.

Catonsville Rails to Trails! Local group, cleaning up while connecting the community.

Patapsco Heritage Greenway -- They put on great scavenger hunts for middle school children in Baltimore and Howard counties. The kids leave knowing more about the Patapsco River Valley and how to protect it.

Definitely Catonsville Rails to Trails.

University of Maryland Extension!

Catonsville Rsils to Trails

Catonsville Rails to Trails

I vote for Catonsville Rails to Trails. It helps clean up the local environment while providing safe walking trails for people in the community.

Gunpowder Valley Conservancy - The Jennifer Branch Project was a huge success for the people of Parkville, Carney and surrounding areas!
http://www.jenniferbranch.org/
www.gunpowderfalls.org

Nominating Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC), volunteers have planted over 21,000 trees in the Gunpowder watershed and are still going strong. We'll be planting this weekend. Check them out on the internet!

Gunpowder Valley Conservancy all the way! Great organization.

If the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy wins the $500 prize, on behalf of one of my companies I will match it. If GVC fails to win, I will still donate the $500 to GVC. I would hope other business owners would also choose to help.

Catonsville Rails-to-Trails! Passionate and hardworking volunteers are tranforming abandoned trolley lines into a network of gorgeous trails that will connect Catonsville in a whole new way, Now you can jog, walk, or bike though Catonsville without the traffic.

Kentlands Community Foundation's GO GREEN group in Gaithersburg, MD is actively engaged in educating the community about local environmental issues. Since starting up five years ago, volunteers created a community garden in the Kentlands neighborhood, organized annual community cleanups, organized an environmental film series, set up a variety of talks with environmental speakers and advocated for non-synthetic, organic lawn care practices in our community.

Marines Helping Marines. This Marine Corps League organization helps provide for wounded Marines as they return to the Continental USA.

The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy! We plant a lot of trees, clean up streams, and help preserve valuable land from development, all protecting the Bay.

Catonsviile Rails to Trails gets my vote. Thank them for the #9 Trolley Trail, the #8 Streetcar Path, and the current work developing the Short Line Trail; great work uniting communities.

Catonsville Rails-to-Trails. They've done a lot and will continue to provide Catonsville with bicycle and pedestrian friendly trails.

Catonsville Rails to Trails. Great organization that involves volunteers and lots of kids and is making an impact on our neighborhoods. The short line trail when completed and linked to other trails will have a lasting effect to unite many neighborhoods in our community.
Earl Huch

Back River Restoration Committee has now adopted Route 702 between Middleborough Road and Back River Neck Road. This section of the highway was dedicated to Mike Weir Sr. Mike Weir Jr. participated in our first highway clean-up April 14, 2012. Please keep our roads and river clean - Do drop it, dispose of it properly!!!

Back River Restoration Committee has now adopted Route 702 between Middleborough Road and Back River Neck Road. This section of the highway was dedicated to Mike Weir Sr. Mike Weir Jr. participated in our first highway clean-up April 14, 2012. Please keep our roads and river clean - Don't just drop it, dispose of it properly!!!

Catonsville Rails to Trails is a great organization that is working hard to create biking and hiking trails in our community.

Back River Restoration Committee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So many deserving committees, but we need more floating wetlands and this area inevitably effects other waters. I vote Back River Restoration Committee.

Bread and Cheese Creek clean up committee

The Kentlands Community Foundation supports and encourages volunteerism in many programs including the Go Green Group. The Go Green group educates and advocates for green practices in our small community in a BIG way. Our community leaders and volunteers make Green fashionable.

It seems unlikely that "one comment" will net $500. As Patch explains, "we'll pick a comment at random and the organization gets a check. There is one shot per commenter but other commenters who support the group are welcome — so the more comments an organization receives, the better chance it has at winning. If you know of a worthy nonprofit, have it mobilize its supporters to leave comments."

It actually sounds to me more like a way for Patch to boost traffic on its site so AOL can go to advertisers and Wall Street investors and say, see--it's working! To those offended by my cynicism, sorry, but when the pool of comments includes people who have commented twice, and people with unrecognizable names, the word "randomness" loses its meaning.