Comprehensive Conservation Finance Legislation

restoration
Written By Phoebe Higgins

Legislation has passed the Maryland Senate by a unanimous vote that aims to attract more private investment to achieve Chesapeake Bay and climate goals, as well as environmental justice goals. The bill, SB0737, was introduced by Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-21) and co-sponsors Senators Will Smith, Guy Guzzone, Mary Washington, Sarah Elfreth, Ron Young and Katie Fry Hester. We’ve summarized some of its key provisions here.

The bill has attracted support from a number of regional and national businesses, investors, and nonprofit organizations that are focused on restoration, conservation, water quality, environmental justice, and climate work. We share some of these letters below.

LETTERS OF SUPPORT

League of Conservation Voters
The Nature Conservancy
Chesapeake Conservancy
Environmental Policy Innovation Center
Land Trust Alliance
The Conservation Fund
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Sign on letter from environmental nonprofits

Hannon Armstrong
Quantified Ventures
Greenprint Partners

GreenVest
i2 Capital
Ecosystem Investment Partners
Corvias
RES
The Earth Partners
Restoration Systems
Ecological Restoration Business Association

The Forestland Group
Lyme Timber Company
Maryland Grain Producers Association
Maryland Forests Association

Letter of support from Maryland Department of the Environment

Phoebe Higgins

Phoebe Higgins is Director of Nature and Markets at EPIC where she works on uncovering the best uses of environmental markets, finance and procurement approaches for delivering faster, scaled-up conservation outcomes. The team she leads works on promoting nature-based solutions through innovations in faster permitting and efficient government contracting. Phoebe has also worked on advising conservation funders on targeted grant-making for better outcomes, designing strategies for loan funds to support conservation, and evaluating the effectiveness of permitting and approval processes for ecological restoration programs.

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