Trachtenberg Office Supports Community Earth Day Programs

The Trachtenberg Office joined members of the Silver Spring community for several Earth Day-themed park and creek clean-up programs. There were “sweep the creek” programs in Broad Acres Park, organized by the Northwest Park-Oakview Weed & Seed Program and its community partners, in Long Branch Park organized by residents in the Sligo-Branview neighborhood and staff from the County’s Department of Parks and the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and in Sligo Creek Park, organized by Friends of Sligo Creek and the Park Hills neighborhood.

Trachtenberg Office Salutes Earth Day and 30th Anniversary of Agricultural Reserve

Representatives of the Trachtenberg Office joined Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Montgomery County Council President Nancy Floreen to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day and the 30th Anniversary of the Agricultural Reserve. The event was held at the County’s Agricultural History Farm Park, located at 18400 Muncaster Road, Derwood in the County’s 93,000 acre Agricultural Reserve. The Reserve is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and has been recognized as the country’s most successful farmland and open space preservation program, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council and the American Farmland Trust. Also in attendance were Dr. Royce Hanson, chairman of the Montgomery County Planning Board, who is considered the architect of the Agricultural Reserve; DEP Director Robert Hoyt; Barbara Ashe, executive vice president of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce; and representatives from certified green businesses.

County Executive Leggett announced that eight new businesses were certified under the County’s Green Business Certification Program in response to a challenge to become a ‘green’ business by Earth Day. The newly certified companies joined 11 others already certified as green by demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation of energy and water, carbon footprint reduction, and waste reduction and recycling. The Green Business Program was launched in December by DEP, in partnership with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Montgomery College to recognize voluntary efforts to protect, preserve and improve the environment. The newly certified businesses are: All Eco Center, Wheaton; Greenavise, Silver Spring; Innovative Business Interiors, Inc., Silver Spring; The Maven Group, Bethesda; The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Rockville; Radius Technology Group, Inc., Silver Spring; Reznick Group, Bethesda; and Solid Waste Association of North America, Silver Spring.

The 11 businesses previously certified are: Bethesda Green, Bethesda; Building Maintenance Systems, Inc., Rockville; Calvert Group, Ltd., Bethesda; The Center for a New American Dream, Takoma Park; Clean Currents, LLC, Rockville; Hallman Orthodontics, Chevy Chase; Honest Tea, Bethesda; Marriott International, Inc., Bethesda; Pepco Customer Service Center, Rockville; Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A., Potomac; and Social and Scientific Systems, Inc., Silver Spring.

A description of what the certified green businesses have done to earn their certification is available on the County’s website at http://mcgreenbiz.org/directory.

Naomi Bloch and Emily Hoopes represented Councilmember Trachtenberg at the event.

Councilmember Trachtenberg Congratulates our Montgomery County “Environmental Leaders”

The Montgomery County Council today recognized 40 environmentalists that have made a difference in Montgomery County over the past 40 years as the County celebrates the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.

"I congratulate these outstanding individuals for their hard work to make Montgomery County a greener and more environmentally-friendly place to live in," said Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg today after the recognition ceremony in Rockville. "Their efforts over the past 40 years have undoubtedly contributed to the quality of life that this County is known for."

Recipients of the award were selected based on significant impacts they have made on climate policies, energy efficiency, renewable energy or other environmental goals in Montgomery County in the last 40 years. The winners will represent a wide range of issues and accomplishments spanning four decades. The names and biographies of the awardees will be released at the ceremony.

Thursday, April 22, marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a worldwide celebration day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth’s environment. Earth Day was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970.

For a complete list of the recipients, please read the Council press release.