Climate Resilience Projects Across Maryland Receive $1.275 Million in Funding

State of MD - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced that over $1.275 million in competitive grants will fund six climate resilience projects designed to aid communities in planning, designing, and constructing solutions to combat flooding and other extreme weather events.

The selected projects aim to mitigate risks in vulnerable communities, incorporate climate change data into existing policies, and implement natural or nature-based solutions to address flooding challenges. Funding is provided by the state's Resiliency Through Restoration Initiative and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Notably, this marks the final year of state funding available through the Resiliency Through Restoration Initiative, a pilot program that began in 2017. Over its seven-year span, the program has supported the completion of 36 restoration designs, 20 construction projects, and three adaptive management projects, benefiting 38 communities in 13 jurisdictions across Maryland.

For the Fiscal Year 2026, the following local governments and community organizations have been awarded grants, pending federal approval:

Anne Arundel County - Arundel Rivers Federation: Funding will support the design of a living shoreline featuring breakwaters and marsh migration elements. These enhancements aim to safeguard Proctor's Subdivision community shoreline and preserve natural resources near Jack Creek Park.

Cecil County - West View Shores Civic Association: This project will focus on complementing a living shoreline by designing sacrificial dunes, marsh migration corridors, and green infrastructure to bolster coastal storm protection and mitigate road flooding within the community.

Kent County - Town of Chestertown: Collaborating with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, the town will integrate a Climate Resilience Element into its Zoning Ordinance. This initiative will include data on sea-level rise and land-use impacts, which may also serve as a model for other Eastern Shore jurisdictions to embed resiliency strategies into their comprehensive plans.

Somerset County - Somerset County Government: The county has been awarded funding to design a living shoreline incorporating headlands, beach nourishment, vegetated dunes, and the use of dredged material. This project aims to protect the Fisher of Men Foundation and the infrastructure along Deal Island Road.

Worcester County - Town of Berlin: The project includes the development of a climate resiliency and adaptation plan that assesses current and future flood risks, identifies potential impacts on infrastructure, and recommends comprehensive climate adaptation strategies. The town's Comprehensive Plan will be updated to include key resiliency elements.  

Worcester County - Maryland Coastal Bays Program: Approximately 4,400 linear feet of living shoreline with wetland enhancements will be constructed on the north side of Tizzard Island. This initiative seeks to preserve wildlife habitats while buffering mainland communities from coastal storm impacts.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has also announced that beginning mid-July, applications for the next fiscal year's funding cycle will be accepted through the department's online Grants Gateway.

These applications will reflect modifications based on updated state and federal funding requirements.