Charles County Resilience Authority Board of Directors Meeting - September 3, 2026

The Charles County Resilience Authority Board of Directors held a regular meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2026, to approve prior meeting minutes, receive the treasurer's quarterly report, hear updates on grants and programs, adopt a comprehensive fundraising plan, and discuss the youth corps and climate resilience initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting Minutes: The board unanimously approved the open session meeting minutes from June 11, 2026. The closed session minutes from the same date were also approved.

Discussion Items

Treasurer's Quarterly Report

• Jake Dyer presented preliminary FY2026 financials, showing revenues of $463,888, expenses fully covered, and a net gain of approximately $4,000.
• The FY2027 operating budget remains at $629,200, with about $654,000 unspent. Active grants total $1.4 million as of July 31, 2026, with $610,000 expended. Closed grants sum to about $650,000, bringing total grant receipts to just under $2 million.
• Two new grants were added: $123,000 from the Urban State Savannah Sustainability Directors Network and $199,295 from the Mid-Atlantic Community Forestry Fund, both supporting tree equity and the youth corps.
• A $3.65 million grant through Ecotone for the Town of Indian Head is tracked separately and operates as a public-private, pay-for-performance contract.

Executive Director's Report

• Stacy Paul reported on workforce development: the Resilience Authority Youth Corps entered its fourth year, providing year-round green jobs.
• Ongoing partnerships include permanent forest conservation easements (to go to the Board of County Commissioners early 2027), green infrastructure training, and a Chesapeake Bay landscape professional certification program.
• Friendship Farm County Park will host a living shoreline and marsh restoration to generate MS4 credits, with soil conservation district work on the land side.
• Cannabis community reinvestment funds were allocated to complete the Elite Gymnastics stormwater pocket park and add trees at Thomas Stone High School.
• At Indian Head, a community garden project is seeking funds for an ADA trail, amphitheater, labyrinth, and bridge; applications were submitted to DNR Green Space Equity and MD DHCD Sustainable Communities programs.
• The Bensville Nodes of Nature park is nearing permit issuance, with groundbreaking expected imminently.
• Pope's Creek Living Shoreline is still in permitting; design modifications are being addressed per agency feedback.
• The RA website is being redesigned to include project photos and updates.

Comprehensive Fundraising Plan

• Amanda Mock presented the draft plan developed with a subcommittee (Karen Price, Jake Dyer, Martin Harris). The plan outlines four strategies:
  • Public sector grants: $500,000 annual target, continuing the RA's successful approach.
  • Private foundation grants: $25,000 annual target, requiring relationship-building.
  • County partnerships: Leveraging MS4 credits, stormwater projects, and pocket parks for county funding.
  • Private sector donations: $25,000–$40,000 annual target, through events and sponsor recognition.
• The board discussed and commended the plan. A motion to adopt was made by Dan Donahue, seconded, and passed unanimously.

Youth Corps Report

• Mary Owens reported on the summer 2026 program: two crews operated—a young adult crew (2 members) and a full-time summer crew (6 members: a crew leader, assistant, and four high school students, including two returners).
• The crews worked at 16 sites, maintaining over 700 trees, and participated in enrichment activities (e.g., visits to a nursery, the Sustainable Learning Center, and the Southern Maryland Food Bank, where they harvested 68 pounds of vegetables).
• New resources this year: a water tank, 100 watering bags, and dedicated storage at the future La Plata Farm Park.
• The program concluded with a kayaking tour at Malice Bay, joined by Dan Donahue and Amanda Mock.
• Upcoming fall youth corps will include three young adults, continuing tree watering, planting, and pocket forest work at Thomas Stone High School.

Climate Resilience and Sustainability Officer Report

• Beth Gross provided an update on the Climate Action Plan, which is near completion but waiting on resolution of greenhouse gas targets. Work is ongoing with the contractor and Council of Governments.
• The Local Government Energy Modernization grant will initiate a solar power purchase agreement for county facilities; an internal work group is being formed. Peer learning with Arlington County is underway to inform the process.

Other Announcements

• Dan Donahue thanked Mary Owens and Amanda Mock for the Malice Bay event, promoted a September 15 Bloom Soil Operation webinar, noted the Charles County Fair (September 17–20), and mentioned Natural Resources Careers Camps in Prince George's County.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved: June 11, 2026 open and closed session minutes.
• Fundraising plan adopted: Unanimous approval of the comprehensive fundraising plan.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2026.