OC Offers Residents Plant Grants

OCEAN CITY, Md. – The Town of Ocean City is accepting grant applications for beach district and pollinator garden plants on non-beachfront residential properties.

Plant grant applicants must be Town of Ocean residents or residential property owners, and plants must be planted within the corporate limits of the Town. Applications must be submitted by Apr. 17, and applicants will be notified of their grant status via email by Apr. 24. The preliminary pick-up date is scheduled for May 15 at the 4th Street Municipal parking lot.

Beach district plants include beachgrass and other dune plants that help stabilize the dunes and offers a nice habitat for wildlife. Plants for the beach district are hardy, drought-resistant, and can withstand excessive salt air and wind. Dune vegetation helps naturally build dunes as wind-blown sand becomes trapped and builds up the dunes over time.

Alternatively, a pollinator garden is a garden that attracts bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, or other creatures that transfer pollen from flower to flower or within flowers. Pollinators are in decline due to the loss of feeding and nesting habitats as well as pollution and misuse of chemicals. The Ocean City’s Green Team says they are committed to promoting pollinator gardens as a Sustainable Maryland Action Item.

If you would like to be considered for a plant grant, submit an application here. A limited number of grants for each plant grant category will be accepted.

For more information, contact Joann Landon at jlandon@oceancitymd.gov or by calling 410-289-8887; or contact Jenelle Gerthoffer at jgerthoffer@oceancitymd.gov or by calling 410-289-8825.