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A small town in Prince George's County recently received "Sustainable Maryland" status
FOREST HEIGHTS, Md. — Forest Heights, a small town in Prince George’s County, is making a big impact on the environment. With just 2,700 residents, the town recently earned the prestigious “Sustainable Maryland” certification, recognizing its impressive efforts to go green while saving taxpayer money.
Town officials are using innovative strategies to make sustainability a reality. Interim Town Manager John O’Connor highlighted several projects that have transformed the town into an environmentally friendly community.
Projects include:
- Electrification of some of the town's vehicle fleet, including a police vehicle
- Installation of 7 EV charging stations
- Rain barrels to capture additional storm water
- Storm water management improvements including the installation of pavers to soak up harmful pulses of storm water
- Solar energy installations on town buildings
- A new passive use park
- 1,500 trees planted since 2023
- The conversion of unused land into a community garden that produces fresh vegetables for residents.
In all, the town has seven EVs.
“The electric vehicles themselves will save us about $75,000 a year in overall fossil fuels in the long term,” O’Connor said. Solar energy is also making a difference, saving the town $3,000 a month on electric bills while generating $6,000 annually through energy credits, O'Connor said.
Forest Heights Police Chief Anthony Rease is part of the green revolution, using electric bikes for patrols and an electric police car. Meanwhile, the rain barrels, permeable pavers in parking lots, and a network of stormwater runoff projects help protect Oxon Run and conserve water.
“It’s just a new energy around wanting to live in a sustainable community,” said Council President Jamilah McDonald, who calls herself a “recycling queen."
Her colleagues credit her with spearheading the effort to earn the Sustainable Maryland certification which is granted in cooperation from the University of Maryland and the Maryland Municipal League.
Mayor Troy Barrington Lilly underscored the economic advantages of the initiatives. With a modest budget of $6.75 million, the town has used $8.4 million in state and federal grants over the past four years to fund many of its environmental improvements.
“We’re sensitive to pocketbook issues,” Lilly said, emphasizing the importance of balancing property taxes with essential services like public safety and public works.
Forest Heights’ achievements include solar-powered town offices, a new park, and a community garden that not only beautifies the area but also provides fresh produce.
Lilly sees these efforts as a foundation for the town’s future after recently celebrating its 75th anniversary.
“We’re really starting to look at what the next five, 10, 15, 20, and 30 years of Forest Heights look like,” he said.
Forest Heights is one of 51 towns to achieve Sustainable Maryland status. It is among the smallest jurisdictions to gain the designation.
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