Board Celebrates 50 Years of Regional Cooperation
The COG Board commemorated five decades of service to the region with a monthly meeting that fell on the exact date of the organization's 50th anniversary. To celebrate, COG's 50th Anniversary Committee is planning several exciting events for the remainder of the year, Committee Chair and D.C. Council Member Carol Schwartz told the Board. A special Futures Forum May 30, for instance, will bring together local, state and federal elected officials and business and civic leaders to explore ways to address regional challenges as the region moves forward. A 50th anniversary gala is also being planned for November.
Major Initiative Will Fight Climate Change Locally
One of the nation's first regional initiatives designed to address global climate change by controlling harmful emissions locally will focus on developing best practices for area jurisdictions. The initiative, adopted by the Board this month, will measure local greenhouse gas emissions, establish a reduction goal for the region, prepare a catalogue of current activities and recommend climate change policy. "This is a very worthy endeavor and I join my colleagues in support of it," said Board Chair and D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray. "Very few things are more important to our future at this stage."
New Campaign Educates Homeowners on Protecting the Chesapeake Bay
Protecting the Chesapeake Bay starts in backyards throughout the region, according to a new outreach campaign targeting homeowners. The “Healthy Lawns, Clean Water” campaign cosponsored by COG promotes lawn care techniques through public service announcements, print ads, and media outreach. "Even a small action – like making sure fertilizer stays on the lawn – can really benefit local water quality and the Bay,” said Chesapeake Bay Policy Committee Vice Chair and Greenbelt Mayor Judith Davis.
Region Practices for Hurricane Emergency
Elected officials, government agencies, utility companies, transit systems and other key stakeholders participated in a mock weather disaster to help prepare for the real thing should dangerous storms threaten the area in the future. The training came as the region faces forecasts for another fierce hurricane season, and focused on recovering from a tropical storm. The session helped officials to not only get hands-on practice in communicating quickly during a crisis, but also to discuss lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, such as how to address food and water shortages in the aftermath of a weather-related emergency.
