Through its Sustainable Maryland program, EFC is working with homeowners and civic associations (HOAs/CAs) in the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland. This education effort aims to increase awareness about natural resources and watershed protection issues; increase the rate of residential participation in sustainability efforts; and engage the leadership and residents of HOAs/CAs in the implementation of sustainability and watershed protection activities. In the initial phase of the project, EFC developed a residential action framework with high-level action categories to help HOAs/CAs prioritize their sustainability efforts and provide basic guidance and resources for taking action. The project also includes the convening “Sustainability Summits” focused on the role HOAs/CAs can play in natural resource and watershed protection, and the tools and resources available to support action. Each year EFC works with a new cohort of communities to help them establish Green Teams and write sustainability action plans.

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