Annapolis, Maryland – The Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration, the City of Annapolis, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announce $1,677,706 in funding awarded to eleven projects that focus on environmental restoration and protection. Through the Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program, local organizations in Annapolis and other locations around Anne Arundel County will implement community-driven projects to improve water quality, reduce stormwater and sediment runoff, and build resilient living shorelines.
“This grant program is an incredible resource for Anne Arundel County, supporting community-led initiatives that have a measurable impact in improving local water quality and protecting our communities,” said County Executive Pittman. “These new projects will continue this critical restoration work to keep our County healthy and thriving.”
The Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program was launched in 2014. The 2025 awardees will build on this decade of impact to protect the local waterways and other natural resources throughout the City of Annapolis and other communities around the County, gradually working towards the vision of fully swimmable, fishable, crabbable waterways.
For the first time in program history, the City and County jointly funded a project to address stormwater and erosion impacting both jurisdictions. Designs for a stream restoration at Annapolis Waterworks Park, which is located on City property, will address the significant flow of stormwater entering the park, including pollutants flowing from nearby communities located in the County. New this year, Anne Arundel County contributed funds to support engineered designs, like the Annapolis Waterworks Park project, to help local groups develop solutions to improve water quality and protect their communities.
“We’re particularly excited this year to be able to support cross-jurisdictional work, like the Annapolis Waterworks Park, that will benefit all of our residents in both the City and the County,” said Erik Michelsen, Deputy Director of the County's Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration. “Working with communities and organizations that are committed to protecting and improving water quality, in parallel with the County’s own efforts, accelerates the recovery of local waterways for everyone.”
The Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program is designed to reduce pollutants and enhance habitat through watershed restoration practices led by community organizations such as local nonprofits; service, youth, and civic groups; faith-based organizations; and community associations and homeowners’ associations. These projects range in size and scope to accomplish on-the-ground, cost-effective treatment of impervious surfaces to control stormwater runoff and remove harmful pollutants to help the jurisdictions achieve local water quality improvement goals while also empowering community-based groups to accomplish local needs. To be considered for funding, projects had to be planned to occur in Anne Arundel County, including the City of Annapolis, and applicants were encouraged to engage at least one partner that represents a stakeholder group based in the County.
This year, the City of Annapolis also provided Critical Area Funds which support stormwater projects that are located within 1,000 feet from tidal waters. This funding will help reduce the impact from the nearby developed areas to protect wildlife and keep the waterways clean.
“Our City residents live, work and play around the water,” said City of Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. “These projects are keeping these outdoors places healthy and safe for us all to enjoy, promoting a more sustainable Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.” Funded through the Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration and the City of Annapolis, awards are managed by the nonprofit Chesapeake Bay Trust, known by most as the entity that manages funds from the Protect the Chesapeake & Coastal Bays vehicle license plates common on many vehicles in the County. The Chesapeake Bay Trust empowers people and communities to lead their own projects to beautify their neighborhoods while treating stormwater at the same time. This type of stewardship has been shown to lead to higher sustainability of projects, and therefore longer-term benefits. “Empowering local groups to protect wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and create resilient communities leads to sustained change,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “This grant program helps people across the City and County lead local restoration projects that have a lasting impact for their neighbors and nature.”
The Anne Arundel County Watershed Protection and Restoration Grant Program 2025 Awardees:
City of Annapolis projects
Severn River Association: $178,000 for a living shoreline at the Wardour community to reduce erosion and increase the community’s resilience.
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: $50,000 for two stormwater best management practices at the Annapolis Overlook community to reduce flooding and improve habitat.
Kingsport Community Association: $35,000 for a living shoreline at the Kingsport community to stabilize their shoreline, reduce erosion, and treat stormwater runoff prior to entering Crab Creek.
Arundel Rivers Association: $212,618 for a wet pond retrofit and a step pool conveyance system at the Harness Creek Overlook community to improve water quality, create new habitat, and reduce erosion.
Severn River Association: $77,985 for two stormwater best management practices along Genessee Street that will reduce pollution and serve as an environmental educational opportunity.
Jointly funded project (City of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County)
Arundel Rivers Federation: $136,871 for a stream restoration at Annapolis Waterworks Park that will increase floodplain connectivity, reduce erosion, and decrease pollution entering the waterway.
Anne Arundel County projects
Arundel Rivers Federation: $406,559 for a shoreline stabilization project at the Long Point peninsula of South River Farm to enhance coastal resiliency of nearby communities, reduce pollution, and create new oyster habitats.
Fishing Creek Farm HOA: $279,920 for a shoreline stabilization project at the Fishing Creek Farm community to reduce erosion, protect an existing freshwater pond, and reduce sediment and pollutant runoff.
Arundel Rivers Federation: $60,753 for a stream restoration at the Sunny Shores community that will reduce stormwater pollution and minimize erosion.
Severn River Association, Inc: $50,000 for stormwater management practices at the Fairwinds on the Severn community to reduce stormwater runoff.
Arundel Rivers Federation: $190,000 for a living shoreline at the Edgewater Beach community to stabilize the shoreline, reduce erosion, and create marsh habitat.
