CA Awarded $35,000 Grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust
Columbia Association (CA) has been awarded a grant for $35,000 from the Chesapeake Bay Trust (Trust) as part of the Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns Award Program (G3). The grant will fund the engineering design for a walkable pollinator and rain garden to address stormwater runoff at Lake Elkhorn.
“CA is always looking for innovative ways to fund projects that enhance sustainability in Columbia,” said CA Environmental Program Manager Natalie Yee. “The Trust received over $4.8 million in requests for $1.3 million available, and we are honored that they chose to invest in CA’s vision for Lake Elkhorn. With their support, we are excited to move forward on this project, which will reduce stormwater runoff and improve the health of our local watershed.”
Lake Elkhorn is a 37-acre lake located in the village of Owen Brown.
The goal of the grant program is to help communities develop and implement plans that reduce stormwater runoff, increase green spaces in urban areas, improve the health of local waters and the Chesapeake Bay and enhance quality of life and community livability. The G3 program is funded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region III, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
CA will finalize the engineering plan for the project by September 2025 with the help of design firm BayLand Consultants & Designers. The pollinator and rain garden will be between Broken Land Parkway and the existing pedestrian pathway and will extend from the existing parking facility on Broken Land Parkway to the Lake Elkhorn Dam outfall stream.
Once complete, it will provide several environmental benefits. One is minimizing stormwater runoff, which will help protect Columbia’s watershed from pollution. CA will also plant native species that attract pollinators to promote biodiversity.
“This pollinator and rain garden will serve as an immersive space for community organizations and residents to visit and learn about our environment, with signage explaining the purpose and benefits,” said Yee. “We’re proud to provide access to green space, water bodies and native habitats.”
CA’s concept plan for the Lake Elkhorn pollinator and rain garden.
CA collaborated with several local environmental groups to put together the concept plan for the grant application, including Community Action and Resources for Environmental Stewardship (CARES) groups from the villages of Kings Contrivance, Owen Brown and Wilde Lake as well as the Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy, Howard County Master Gardeners, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation Climate team, CA Weed Warriors, Howard County Bee City, Master Naturalists and more. Each of these groups has pledged their support for the project and commitment to contributing to its successful implementation (i.e. providing education and outreach materials, helping with weeding and planting, etc.).
“Securing this grant was a true group effort that involved the community. The concept for this design was no doubt enriched by the collaborative process,” said CA Landscape Design Manager Tim Prigg. “Beyond the environment benefits, the pollinator and rainwater garden will add aesthetic appeal to Lake Elkhorn and be a rich environment for educating the community for years to come.”
About Columbia Association (CA):
CA is and has always been here to enhance the quality of life in Columbia. We are committed to the founding goals of this unique and diverse community: stewardship, wellness and inclusion. To achieve this, CA owns and manages a wide array of spaces, facilities and programs that foster authentic connection. We hope you’ll find your own way to engage with us and work toward an even brighter future. Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org for more information. Together, #WeAreColumbia.
About the Chesapeake Bay Trust (Trust):
The Chesapeake Bay Trust (Trust) shares a bold vision for a restored and protected Chesapeake Bay watershed and other natural resources in our area – from the Coastal Bays to the Chesapeake to the Youghiogheny River. We uniquely empower local community-based groups on the ground with the resources they need to take on a meaningful and measurable role in restoring forests, streams, rivers, bays, wildlife, and more in their own communities. The Trust empowers these groups by providing grants and technical assistance. Since 1985, the Trust has awarded $140 million in grants and engaged hundreds of thousands of resident stewards in projects that have a measurable impact.
