Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

For the Chesapeake Bay, development on land can shape the health of the water for generations. This summer Ribera Development LLC, a land developer based in Millersville, Maryland, continued to show its dedication to responsible development by joining the Corporate Leaders Program at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC).

Ribera president John Stamato has been a long-time ally of the center. A former member of SERC’s advisory board, he helped counsel SERC director Tuck Hines on questions about local land use. At Ribera, Stamato has led multiple residential and recreational projects that made land available for communities while minimizing their environmental impacts.

Scientists at SERC have been monitoring the health of Chesapeake Bay for more than 50 years. Many of the researchers specialize in land use, zeroing in on how agriculture, cities and suburbs influence the Bay’s life and water quality. In the process, they have discovered solutions that can help cities develop more sustainably. The new Corporate Leaders Program recognizes businesses like Ribera with similar goals that actively support SERC science.

“We are very glad that Ribera Development has decided to join our new Corporate Leaders team,” Hines said. “John Stamato has been a friend, supporter and advisor of SERC for many years, and we look forward to working with him in this new capacity.”

About the Corporate Leaders Program

Corporate Leaders commit to donating at least $2,500 annually to SERC’s research and education programs. As members, Ribera Development staff will be able to get cutting-edge research analysis from SERC scientists, network with other environmentally conscious business leaders, engage their employees in active research projects and participate in broader Smithsonian corporate events. SERC launched the Corporate Leaders Program in May 2019. To join or learn more, contact Cole Johnson at johnsonc@si.edu or 443-482-2323.

About Ribera Development

Ribera Development has a successful track record of contracting for raw land and transforming it into approved projects for residential and commercial real estate development. From large planned-unit developments, to beachfront and golf course properties and commercial office buildings, Ribera has spearheaded a wide variety of projects. Focusing on the mid-Atlantic region, Ribera uses creative strategies, critical path planning and a collaborative working style to manage the complex and sometimes contentious process of land development. The result is a balanced approach that yields the best, most appropriate use for the land while respecting the environment and building productive relationships in the community. For more information, visit riberadev.com.

About the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) provides science-based knowledge to meet the environmental challenges of the 21st century. Headquartered on the shores of Chesapeake Bay in Edgewater, Maryland, SERC scientists and students lead research on coastal ecosystems around the world. The data they collect help inform decisions for wise policies, best business practices and a sustainable planet. For more information, visit serc.si.edu.