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Health of Monocacy River is not being taken seriously enough!
I write on behalf of the Climate Change Working Group, a growing group of local citizens concerned about our children’s...
Zero Waste? Join Us for Practical Ideas (September 30th)
Envision Frederick County is very pleased to co-sponsor this highly worthwhile event. Please join us! Kick off your weekend with...
Tony Chmelik ignores the facts and defends poor planning
County Executive Jan Gardner recently released two studies detailing looming taxpayer costs to support the flurry of bad development approvals...
Ten key ingredients of a green and healthy community
If someone asks what a green community, or a healthy one, means to you, what comes to mind? I’m willing...
Great Idea: Context-based street design
For much of the last century, thoroughfares were designed for maximum motor-vehicle mobility, often making cities and towns dysfunctional for...
County Executive Gardner blasts previous Young board on growth
A sobering presentation from County Executive Jan Gardner on Thursday highlighted the downside of growth, and put county council Republicans...
Head Start and ThorpeWood: Graduating to the world outside
EDITOR'S NOTE: Originally posted on ThorpeWood's website in June. But with summer ending and school starting again, it seemed like...
“Smart Growth” essential to preserving what we love about where we live!
What does “smart growth” mean to you? Certainly most Frederick County residents have heard of “Smart Growth,” as it has...
Become a Chesapeake Steward this fall!
Do you ever wish you knew more about this amazing watershed we call the Chesapeake Bay? We can help! Come...
Bay Journal to lose EPA funding
Citing 'shift in priorities,' agency cancels multi-year grant for 27-year-old nonprofit news outlet covering the Chesapeake. It’s always awkward to...
Best laid plans: East Street Corridor Small Area Plan approved
It passed with little fanfare the other day, but the city finally approved the East Street Corridor Small Area Plan....
County Argues Against Young/Delauter/Shreve DRRAs in Blentlinger Appeal
With all of the terrible news of the last few days, I wanted to share something positive. When the Court...
Zero Waste Programs: Turning the Vision of the Circular Economy Into Practice
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2016 includes the Maryland Zero Waste Plan's recycling and diversion goals, which are...
Just Keeping Afloat
It’s just too much sometimes. Or not enough. I’m not sure which. Either way, there are times when I feel...
Support the Frederick County-based Children of incarcerated Parents Partnership
Children of incarcerated Parents Partnership (COIPP) is a non profit, non sectarian, all volunteer organization that I founded more than...
County Executive Gardner Proposes Legislation to Improve Forest Conservation
County Executive Jan Gardner is taking the initiative to strengthen the Frederick County Forest Resource Ordinance in the face of...
Jefferson Tech Park: Worst financial deal and biggest taxpayer giveaway!
I recently provided an update on what I consider to be the worst financial deal and biggest taxpayer giveaway in...
Great idea: The public realm
More and more people are appreciating that architecture and urban design of streets and public spaces have the power to...
Assessing the Tree Canopy in the City of Frederick
For clean air and water, energy savings, and overall health, the city of Frederick has a goal of 40 percent...
Presentation (Aug. 1): Ron Kaltenbaugh on Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and Solutions
Please join us on Tuesday evening, August 1st, at the new McClintock Distilling Company, in downtown Frederick, for a free...
Our Lawns Are Killing Us. It’s Time to Kick the Habit
Pristine turf grass lawns are as synonymous with America as baseball and apple pie. For those of us who grew...
Yes, Virginia…is trying to revive plans for outer beltway and new Potomac River crossing
The following was sent out via email by the Montgomery Countryside Alliance. Over the years, the alliance has been diligent...
Smarter Growth Alliance for Frederick County letter on Draft Monocacy Scenic River Management Plan
The following is a copy of a letter sent from the Smarter Growth Alliance for Frederick County (see the list...
The Invisible Hand That Designed Your City
Lately I’ve been thinking about the invisible forces that shape our behavior. In an era of ubiquitous access to technology,...
Presentation (July 25th): Jim Schulman on Reinventing Prosperous Local Economies
Join us on Tuesday evening, July 25th, at the new McClintock Distilling Company, in downtown Frederick, for a free and...
Couple goes solar and restores a creekside forest in Myersville
"I'm all about being green. And I think I've finally achieved net zero when it comes to electricity." Today, I...
Great idea: Rethinking parking
From coast to coast and in middle America, more sensible parking policies are taking hold and may be the quickest...
The Smarter Growth Alliance for Frederick County celebrates with a Gathering of Friends
It was a great afternoon in early June at the beautiful Hall’s Choice Farm near New Market. The Smarter Growth...
It’s Time to Change How We Measure Affordable Housing
The “commonly accepted” 30 percent standard for judging housing affordability leaves out transportation and location. I’ve long been dissatisfied with...
The Politics of Personal Destruction in Frederick County
EDITOR'S NOTE: We thank Rick Brace for sharing this perspective about one of the disturbing aspects of the recent, ongoing...
Presentation (June 20th): Livable Frederick and East Frederick Rising
Join us on Tuesday evening at the new McClintock Distilling Company, in downtown Frederick, for a free and informative presentation...
Panel Discussion: “Advancing the Public Interest for the People of Frederick”
Please check out the media advisory below, and consider joining us for a lively conversation, at Winchester Hall, between Jan...
Trout in the Classroom
Middle school students are getting a chance to see firsthand how healthy ecological systems maintain quality of life by raising...
Smart Growth America’s “(Re)Building Downtown”
Smart Growth America is a great resource for any citizen, planner or elected official interested in planning and development and...
Why Greenspace is different from a Park
It's nice to be outside and among nature, especially this time of year. For urban residents, access to nature is...