CM #TBA | 1.5 CM Credits

Guest Host: APA Ohio
Access to city or neighborhood-level data is essential for refining public health strategies, but communities feel stuck relying on state- and county-level data to understand what’s happening locally. In this webinar, you'll learn how to access more granular data via the City Health Dashboard and Congressional District Health Dashboard, two freely available and interactive websites that provide data on over 40 measures of health and the factors that shape health, including Frequent Mental Distress, Broadband Connection, Air Pollution, and more. Participants will also learn how to use visualizations—like engaging metric maps—to identify, connect, and tackle neighborhood challenges. With this information, planners can foster meaningful community dialogue, support informed decision-making, and design health‑focused interventions that address the needs of the residents they serve. Learning objectives include: accessing and leveraging local-level data through the City and Congressional District Health Dashboards; utilizing Dashboard technical assistance; and learning how other communities have used Dashboard data to strengthen community health and well-being.CM 1.5

CM #TBA | 1.5 CM Credits

Guest Host: LGBTQ & Planning Division
How can planners and downtown leaders cultivate Main Streets where LGBTQIA+ people feel visible, welcome, and celebrated? Join the APA LGBTQ & Planning Division for a panel conversation featuring practitioners from communities across the country who are advancing inclusive downtown initiatives through programming, partnerships, placemaking, and storytelling.

Are you preparing to take the AICP Exam this year? Join APA Maryland for an in-person study session designed to help you feel confident and prepared!

📅 Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Morgan State University, Center for the Built Environment and Infrastructure Studies (CBEIS)
📌 Who Can Attend? APA Members and APA Maryland Chapter Members

This interactive session will cover key exam topics, test-taking strategies, and insights from our Professional Development Officer (PDO) who is an AICP Certified Planner. Not an APA member yet? Students can join APA for free and take advantage of this valuable study session!

Got questions? Reach out to us at contact@apamaryland.org. We look forward to helping you achieve AICP certification.

Special Notes: A light lunch will be provided. Please feel free to bring snacks and/or lunch that best suits your dietary needs. More information about meeting room, parking, and what to expect the day of will be provided to registrants.

Find more AICP Resources Here: https://apamaryland.org/professional-development

Guest Host: APA Water & Planning Network

The Colorado Water Plan is a statewide planning document created first by legislation, and then refined through years of robust stakeholder input and complex modeling to provide a data-driven understanding of our current water supply and potential future scenarios. This plan highlights Colorado’s water vision, assigns work to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and its sister state agencies, and provides a framework for the critical efforts requiring collaboration from partners across the state. The 10-year schedule set forth in the Water Plan allows time to work on these important issues while setting a deadline for its update before it becomes outdated. The CWCB leads this collaborative action through guiding principles, funding, and technical support, but cannot do the work alone. This webinar will open with a summary of water and land use planning requirements in the 50 states, and will then feature presentations explaining how the Colorado Water Plan is organized and implemented from the state level to the boots-on-the-ground partners, resulting in a statewide cooperative effort -- developed over many years -- to both develop and conserve water resources.

Title: Land Use Decisions for Healthy Landscapes
Date/time: Thursday March 12, 2026 12pm - 1:30pm

Speakers: 

• Peter Claggett, USGS

• Jeff Lerner, EPA

• Jackie Pickford, USGS

Description: The well-being of the Chesapeake Bay depends on the health of the lands that make up its watershed. As communities within the region continue to grow or intensify their activities, the demand for land and resources can add pollutants to the system and put our waters and habitats at risk. Many of these lands support not only water quality but also provide other economic, recreational, cultural and ecological benefits we do not want to lose. That's why the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement was recently updated with a revised Healthy Landscapes goal and outcome related to land use planning. Come hear what planners should know about these changes, how your community can be involved and what new or updated data and tools are available to support your communities goals and future planning.

Guest Host: APA Sustainable Communities Division

This session introduces professionals to the LEED v5 framework through real-world planning and design examples aligned with its core priorities. By analyzing projects that predate or operate outside of LEED v5 certification, the session highlights how many of the framework’s key themes—such as decarbonization, resilience, equity, and human health—are already embedded in practice. Through case-based discussion, participants will build foundational LEED skills, learn how to identify and translate these principles into future projects, and better understand how the framework builds on existing approaches in the field. This session is designed as an introductory, skills-building opportunity for those new to LEED.

CM 1 (CM# TBD)
SR 1

https://ohioplanning.org/aws/APAOH/pt/sp/webcast_home_page

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) is presenting the webinar, “Incorporating Maryland's Planning Principles into Comprehensive Plans: A Rural Western Maryland Perspective". Panelists will present various perspectives and insights concerning the incorporation of the Planning Principles into local comprehensive plans. The webinar will address MDP’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG) process, along with insight from panelists; each in different phases of their comprehensive plan development processes, including early-development, late-development, and implementation. MDP will be joined by planning partners from Garrett County Planning and Zoning, the City of Cumberland/ Calvert County Planning and Zoning, and Smith Planning & Design.

Following the webinar, attendees will be able to ….

1. Explain each Planning Principle to staff members, community members, planning colleagues, etc.

2. Recognize the importance of the inclusion of the Planning Principles in their respective jurisdiction’s planning efforts/documents.

3. Effectively compose and revise comprehensive plans, with the intent of ensuring their jurisdiction’s plan incorporates the Planning Principles.

4. Apply the planning principles through their daily work via sound planning practices.

5. Measure progress toward successful planning principles implementation using MDP’s Sustainable Growth Implementation Guide.

Zoning for Agritourism – A View from the Trenches

[CM Credit Pending]
 This webinar explores zoning for agritourism from the viewpoints of a land use planner and an agritourism operator. The different perspectives will give the participants further insights into how to effectively engage stakeholders in the planning process and the pitfalls to avoid in regulating agritourism activities. The webinar will focus on regulating agritourism based on scale – small operations versus large operations – and regulating special events, like weddings. The participant will learn how to craft regulations which encourage agritourism in their communities while protecting neighbors and the community from negative impacts.

Join Greg Miller, Executive Director of the Center for Land Economics, and Josie Faass, PhD., Executive Director of the Progress and Poverty Institute, for a discussion on how property taxes can be leveraged in innovative ways to improve communities and spur growth.

Participants of this live webinar are eligible for 1.5 AICP CM credits

The Maryland Department of Planning is presenting a webinar, “Designing Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs) for Sustainable Growth”. APFOs ensure that infrastructure and community facilities can keep pace with growth, but if not designed or applied correctly, they can hinder the type of development needed to ensure thriving and affordable communities. Panelists will describe how APFOs work in Maryland and share insights gained from recent research completed in partnership with the National Center for Smart Growth, including an updated inventory of APFOs in the state. Representatives from Charles County and Annapolis will share lessons learned over decades of school, transportation, and recreational APFO implementation. The panel will also detail best practices for designing APFOs that can help jurisdictions address Maryland’s housing crisis. 

Register Here

Attendees will learn how to:

1. Describe:

   • APFOs in Maryland and access available APFO resources.

   • the APFO modification process and lessons learned from municipal and county jurisdictions.

2. Design APFOs that:

   • facilitate housing supply and affordability with adequate infrastructure.

   • enable improved mobility.

   • enhance recreational amenities.

3. Navigate the complexities of school APFOs. 

This webinar will guide emerging planners in transitioning from academic theories to successfully navigating real-world planning profession. It will focus on practical skills, problem-solving strategies and professional growth in the early stages of their career. Join in the conversation with three planners as they discuss their transition from school to a career.

November 20th: 12:00 - 1:00 pm 

Register: https://forms.gle/ZbWSz3dLACXVvdz79 

Learn about what's hot in the world of planning ethics from the AICP Ethics Officer and members of the AICP Ethics Committee! This session will include a refresher on key points related to the AICP Code of Ethics most recently updated in January 2022. Hear firsthand how the AICP Code of Ethics emphasizes a commitment to equity and inclusion, to protecting the public interest, and to supporting AICP planners from frivolous complaints. Understand how the Code sets certified planners apart from others by focusing on integrity, appearance of fairness, and commitment to supporting fair and just communities.

Next, several real-life ethical scenarios that came before the AICP Ethics Office in 2024 will be presented and discussed. Participants will be engaged to answer several questions related to ethical dilemmas faced by planners in the various scenarios. Learn how to use the AICP Code of Ethics as a guide to ethical behavior in your planning practice and understand how the Code is designed to support all certified planners through challenging situations as long as their behavior is Code-consistent.

Following the refresher of the AICP Code of Ethics and the presentation of real-life cases from 2024, attendees will participate in a round of Ethics Jeopardy! You can test your knowledge of the AICP Code of Ethics against your colleagues. Participants will respond to a series of questions on the AICP Code of Ethics to demonstrate their understanding of how the AICP Code applies to circumstances and trends in the practice of planning. Key points on the AICP Code of Ethics will be expounded upon to help explain answers to key questions. Join in with your colleagues and test your knowledge to see if you have what it takes to become an AICP Code of Ethics champion!

Attend our Annual Business Meeting.
Discover what Maryland’s Renewable Energy Certainty Act means for your community, and hear insights from solar experts across legal, industry, and local government sectors during this engaging panel discussion. 1 CM credit

*Networking and Happy Hour 5pm @ B&O Brasserie- 2 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 includes a cocktail and appetizers with your ticket.

Full Agenda here

November 7, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET

CM #TBD

Guest Host: APA Ohio

With two US Supreme Court cases dealing with sign regulations since 2015, and lower court cases percolating across the country today, the importance of crafting content-neutral sign codes is essential for communities seeking to balance free expression, legal compliance, and effective local governance. We all know that local regulations cannot be based on a sign’s message, yet many communities still struggle with translating these legal requirements into clear, useful local ordinances. This interactive webinar will equip planners, zoning officials, and code enforcement with the knowledge and tools needed to develop and implement sign codes that are robust, enforceable, and fully compliant with First Amendment standards. Attendees will learn the core legal definitions and take away practical strategies for ensuring their sign regulations are as “content neutral” as possible on their face and in their application. Real-world examples will be explored, highlighting both pitfalls and best practices - from addressing political and directional signs to managing digital signs and murals. Speakers include planners, academics and industry experts who have worked on sign codes across the country. Attendees will also receive a copy of the Sign Research Foundation’s publication on Content-Neutral Sign Codes After Reed and Austin.CM 1.5

More information: https://www.ohioplanning.org/aws/APAOH/pt/sp/webcast_home_page

Join us for an engaging networking event that brings together urban planners and public health practitioners from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to explore the critical intersections between planning and community health. This session will highlight how planning decisions shape health outcomes, with focused discussions on food systems, the built environment, and strategies for creating healthier, more equitable communities.

Participants will hear from expert speakers, engage in Q&A sessions, and connect with colleagues across sectors to share ideas, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration. Whether you're new to cross-sector work or a seasoned professional, this event offers valuable insights and connections to support your work at the nexus of planning and public health.

1 AICP CM credit will be offered

Speakers:

Shane Bryan is the Partnership & Engagement Officer for the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, where he supports and facilitates participation across the Network of Practice for the Initiative. He serves as the liaison for all the collaborating organizations, leads outreach and recruitment activities, manages the Bloomberg Seminar Series and the Network of Practice Grants. Shane has over a decade of community engagement experience and has served on various community boards. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Communication Studies from the University of South Dakota and an Executive Master of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service, University of Arkansas. 

Yeeli Mui, PhD, MPH, is a Bloomberg Assistant Professor of American Health in the Department of International Health. Her participatory action research focuses on strengthening policy to create equitable, sustainable, and healthy communities. Dr. Mui applies an urban planning lens to obesity prevention and healthy eating by critically examining relationships between food and other systems of the built environment, such as land use, transportation, and housing. Part of a multi-country effort, she is leading an interdisciplinary team to mitigate food inequities of small-scale farmers experiencing urbanization and climate change pressures in Kerala, India. Dr. Mui is also evaluating the role of collective efficacy and collaborative governance models to drive policy and food systems change at the local level in different U.S. cities.

Shima Hamidi, PhD, is a Bloomberg Assistant Professor of American Health in Environmental Challenges in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering. Before joining the Bloomberg School, Dr. Hamidi was the director of the Center for Transportation Equity, Decisions and Dollars, a $7.5 million center funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation at the University of Texas at Arlington. She has done extensive research on the negative consequences of car-oriented community design on public health and climate change. She has written two books and over 40 journal articles on urban sprawl and its impacts on individuals’ economic mobility, traffic safety, life expectancy, obesity and inactivity, emergence of food deserts, crime rates, and air quality.

Michael Bayer, AICP is a Senior Planner and Project Manager at Wallace Montgomery and President Elect of APA Maryland.  His work has focused on land use and transportation planning, education and public facilities planning, housing and economic development and consensus building. He serves on the Smart Growth Network’s Steering Committee promoting best practices in planning nationwide and is the lead author of Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design.

Schedule:

4:30 - 4:45 Networking social / arrival

4:45 - 4:55 Welcome from MD APA Chapter - Michael

4:55 - 5:05 Introduction from Bloomberg American Health Initiative - Shane 

5:05 - 5:15 Dr. Yeeli Mui - Presentation/discussion on work  as it relates to food systems & planning 5:15 - 5:25

Dr. Shima Hamidi - Presentation/discussion on work as it relates to health and a community's built environment 

5:25 - 5:40  Discussion / Q&A

5:40 - 5:45Closing - Michael & Shane

5:45 - 7:00 Networking 

October 3, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET

CM #TBD

Guest Host: APA Arts and Planning Division
Extreme heat is becoming one of the deadliest and most complex climate threats—and planners must adapt. But what if we approached heat hazard mitigation not just with data and infrastructure, but also with art, storytelling, and technology? Join the APA Arts and Planning Division, APA Technology Division, and the Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning Division for a solutions-focused conversation exploring how exploring how a multidisciplinary approach using creative and technological tools is key in reshaping the way planners can reshape the way planners understand, communicate, and respond to extreme heat.CM 1.5
SR 1

Housing proponents recognize the role manufactured housing has played and could play in producing more affordable housing. Manufacturers are ready to build, but the regulatory and financial environments are not always favorable to do so. It will take a combination of regulatory changes and incentives to make real progress. Join the Mid-Atlantic Planning Collaboration’s webinar to hear some perspectives from Delaware and Maryland.

The APA Maryland Awards Program highlights best practices, celebrates planning leaders, and elevates the APA’s vision of “creating great communities for all.” This year, the Awards Program will focus on implementation efforts that address Maryland’s housing needs, aligning with the 2025 APA National Policy Priority on zoning reform and housing supply. Potential implementation measures include zoning reform, programs supporting low to moderate income households, or housing resilience. To be considered, nominations must be in the implementation phase.

2025 Submission Guidelines:

• Nominee Eligibility: Open to individuals, plans, programs, or policies that include at least one APA Maryland Chapter member on the professional team.

• Focus Area: Only implementation measures—adopted, active, and currently addressing housing needs in Maryland during 2024–2025—will be eligible for recognition. Please see the scoring rubric for examples of eligible efforts.

• Recognition Categories: People, plans, programs, and policies demonstrating tangible impact and leadership.Submission

• Deadline: Friday, September 19, 2025 at 5 PM

• Awards Celebration: Winners will be notified in mid-October and recognized at the APA Maryland Annual Meeting, to be hosted in the Baltimore Region, on November 7, 2025.

APA Maryland Book Club Selection!
September 2, 2025 at 12-1pm | Virtual

Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll for our 2025 APA Maryland Book Club selection! The votes are in, and we’re excited to announce thatw our Fall read will be: Killed by a Traffic Engineer: Shattering the Delusion of the Perfect System by Angie Schmitt

Join us for a virtual book discussion on Tuesday, September 2, from 12:00–1:00 PM via Zoom. (Registration details will be shared soon!)

We encourage you to grab a copy now so you can read along with us throughout August. The book is available through major booksellers, and we also encourage you to support your local libraries or independent bookstores when possible.