Regular Features: Social Media Updates | Upcoming Events/Meetings COG, Freddie Mac Foundation Launch Foster Parent Recruitment Initiative, Honor Outstanding Families 14 Local Governments Endorse Region Forward; More Expected Soon In March and April, two-thirds of COG local governments endorsed Region Forward and the Greater Washington 2050 Compact, and several more are scheduled to vote on it in the coming weeks. This effort will place the National Capital Region in the forefront of metropolitan areas committed to tackling tough issues like growth, economic development, and sustainability. In the coming months, COG and area leaders will be building on Region Forward in an application for a HUD Sustainable Communities Grant. To view the governments that have endorsed the effort, click here. Officials Release Landmark Anacostia Watershed Plan
Forum Highlights Economic and Environmental Benefits of Local Food, Agriculture COG’s Washington Regional Agriculture Workgroup hosted the Working Lands Forum II: The Growing Local Challenge on April 21 in Frederick, MD to discuss the role of agriculture in the rapidly growing National Capital Region. A State of Agriculture in the Washington Metropolitan Area presentation from the forum is posted on the Workgroup's web site, nationalcapitalfarms.org. The web site also provides up-to-date information on locally grown food, farmers markets, wineries, and much more. To view nationalcapitalfarms.org, click here. To read a Frederick News Post article on the forum, click here. Capital Area Foreclosure Network Reaches Out to Local Residents
2010 Transportation Plan Update, Financial Analysis Highlight Funding Issues During the April meeting of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, the proposed update to the region’s long-range plan revealed few new significant projects, while a financial analysis called for greater commitment to maintaining and enhancing the transportation system. The TPB is accepting public comments on the proposed changes by May 15, 2010. To view proposed updates to the plan for 2010 and to submit a public comment, click here. To view the financial analysis presentation, click here. To watch a FOX-5 news story on the meeting, click here.
To visit COG's Facebook page, click here. Click title to view agenda and other information. To view the complete Events Calendar, including special events and meetings of policy and technical committees, click here. May 12 : COG Board of Directors For more than 50 years, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, known as COG, has helped develop solutions to issues of regional importance. COG is an independent, nonprofit association comprised of elected officials from 21 local governments, members of the Maryland and Virginia legislatures, and members of the U.S. Congress. The Metropolitan Memo is sent to COG’s membership of over 250 local, state and federal elected officials as well as regional stakeholders and citizens. For newsletter, or need to change your email address, please contact Steve Kania.
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On April 29, the Freddie Mac Foundation and COG launched an advertising campaign to attract new foster families using those named the region’s Foster Parents of the Year as spokespersons.
The ad campaign, which was announced at a ceremony honoring the Foster Parents of the Year, will run from May 3 - 16 on television stations WRC, WJLA and DC 50, and radio stations WTOP and Praise and Spirit. To read the press release, which also lists the award-winning parents, 
The Anacostia Watershed Restoration Plan, a comprehensive set of goals and strategies to clean up the pollution and run-off that has made the region’s Anacostia River one of the most polluted in the nation, was announced on April 19 in Bladensburg, MD. The event, organized by the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership, brought together the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Members of Congress and state and local elected officials from Maryland and the District of Columbia. To learn about the plan, 
The Capital Area Foreclosure Network (CAFN), a new regional partnership led by the COG and the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington, announced at the April COG Board meeting a major effort to coordinate regional foreclosure prevention efforts and build the capacity of housing counseling agencies to address the region’s foreclosure crisis. With financial and programmatic support from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and leadership from grassroots nonprofit organizations and local governments, CAFN will offer training and fundraising support to counseling agencies around the region. To view the partnership's web site, 
Listen to a podcast on the region's pedestrian safety campaign, Street Smart, with COG Transportation Planner Michael Farrell.
Watch a short video from the March 24th demonstration of new rescue carts by COG's fire chiefs and Metro.