Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3)
When we built our church in 2007, we commissioned an artist to create a stain glass window that honors the Potomac River which flows nearby.
Now our two Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT) grants enable us to better retain our rainwater to give life to native plants and trees, and to manage the quality and quantity of stormwater that reaches the Potomac.
Thank you CBT!”
Track 2: Engineered Designs Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Award #24048 in the amount of $39,850 for designing green infrastructure at St. Agnes Parish in Shepherdstown, W.Va. to improve stormwater treatment, including redirecting roof drainage and reconfiguring a stormwater pond. Through this grant we plan to:
- Manage stormwater more effectively by redirecting the church southern roof drain.
- Retrofit the feeder pond to bioretention.
- Reconfigure the main pond discharge with level spreader.
- Retrofit the main pond to bioretention.
Track 4: Community Greening Project- Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Award #24037 the amount of $26,390 for greening the St. Agnes Catholic Church grounds through installation of 203 trees and shrubs to create an eco-friendly community environment and to manage stormwater. Through this grant we plan to:
- Reduce Open Grass Areas:
Convert the 7,200 square feet that is currently grass into areas that are a combination of native trees, shrubs, and grasses.The increased canopy from the trees will naturally reduce the stormwater runoff of the area and make it more attractive to both the community and wildlife. - Integrate Garden Spaces:
This garden gives us the opportunity for training for those interested in learning to garden while helping with our homeless meal program. We see this as being a community supported garden that will create an accessible, welcoming space to grow and nurture food, reduce the carbon footprint, and promote a healthy community environment. - Support Pollinators: Throughout the planting process, we will create spaces that attract pollinators and other beneficial species. We can then use these spaces as a learning and pastoral opportunity for our Parish and others.
December 12, 2024
The crew from Stadler Nursery arrived on Monday, December 7th with the first 5 trees—3 Eastern Redbuds, an Overcup Oak, and a Magnolia. These are the first of over 200 plants that St. Agnes will be installing in the coming months. Once finished, this area will provide a mediative space that leads to the Columbarium and the St. Agnes Stations of the Cross and walking path. In addition, with the other plants we have planned, the space will naturally provide improved absorption of rainwater and hopefully reduce the amount of water flowing downhill.
November 7, 2024
Conquering “Mount Chipmore”
Fall work on the North side of the Church continued last weekend.
Over the last two months we have received over 20 cubic yards of chips from various tree companies. On Saturday, November 2, a group of parishioners brought pitchforks, and shovels to spread out the cardboard and flatten the large pile of chips. We snacked on leftover Halloween candy to boost our energy level for the day.
We will be planting the first trees from Stadler Nursery later this month. Ultimately, this area will be a mediative space that acts as a gateway to the Columbarium and the Stations of the Cross Nature Trail.
August, 2024
For our Track 4 grant, St. Agnes prepares the north side property for planting. In the area to the northwest of the church building, committee and parish members have begun this effort by placing cardboard down as weed block and covering that with donated wood chips. Planting will being this fall.
June 28, 2024
Read the Chesapeake Bay Trust Press Release about the Chesapeake Bay Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Grant Program announced on June 26, 2024. More information will be announced soon.
Watch the DC News Now video: West Virginia community pulls together to save the Chesapeake Bay
Program partners: United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 3, Chesapeake Bay Program, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust
This project had been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under assistance agreement 4I-95300301 or CB-96375501 to West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this document.
Project funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: https://www.epa.gov/invest/investing-america-signage
