Office of Community Sustainability
Our Mission
The Howard County Office of Community Sustainability aims to protect and enhance the quality of life in our communities by addressing environmental and economic issues affecting County citizens and future generations. Guided by principles of science, ingenuity, sustainability and stewardship, the Office engages in water quality, economic development, agriculture, energy and education initiatives.
Howard County boasts the state’s oldest Office of Sustainability and works to coordinate efforts throughout other Howard County Departments, governments through out the state and region, and community institutions.
Sustainability Projects & Initiatives
Climate Action and Resiliency Plan and Climate Forward Dashboard
This 2023 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan builds on Howard County’s existing efforts to reduce emissions, increase resiliency, and achieve environmental equity. This plan identifies strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, sequester carbon, and achieve greater resilience against the increases in extreme weather that are projected to occur.
Howard County Climate Forward serves as a science-based and shovel ready workplan for every department and level of Howard County government. It also includes some recommendations for what partners and individuals can do. In addition, Climate Forward is the County's first climate plan to add a focus on climate resiliency and environmental justice.
Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (published June 2023)
Climate Forward Dashboard: Real-time plan progress
Climate Forward Annual Report
The Annual Report offers a look at the County's work in each of eight climate change mitigation and resiliency focus areas and provides an update on climate-related governance and funding. Climate Forward annual reports have been published each Autumn since October 2024. View the most current and previous reports on the Climate Forward Dashboard's Annual Reports section.
Contains information on a wide variety of sustainability issues.
Focuses on stormwater management. Find information about the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee.
One-stop shop for information and resources on resiliency. Find information on warming/cooling centers, climate readiness, and best practices for resilience!
Consisting of 13 members, the Board assists in the implementation of the County’s environmental agenda, providing both advice and review. Board members include experts in energy, air/water quality, environmental governance, community outreach and education, transit, green building, and environmental health.
Native bees are critical for the food we eat, the flowers in our gardens, and the trees that give us shade and oxygen, and Howard County is home to approximately 137 species of native bees. Howard County became one of nation’s first counties to be designated by Bee City USA as a “Bee City” in 2019.
Howard County’s Bee City USA mission is to raise awareness about the importance of native bees and other pollinators and their vital role in healthy ecosystems and to educate communities about how they can create and sustain healthy habitat for pollinators that are rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides.
Visit Howard County Bee City USA to sign up for the newsletter and upcoming webinars, volunteer, register your habitat, and learn more about plantings, campaigns, resources, community partners, and the Pollinator Committee. Additionally, visit our Pollinators web page on our Live Green Howard County for more information too.
Howard County's annual celebration of Earth Day and environmental stewardship. Features local vendors and non profits, a native plant sale, workshops, food, and more.
