Most families talk about sports or the weather at Thanksgiving. The Kramers? They talk ants, roaches, and beavers. For brothers Travis and Joe Kramer, pest control isn’t just a job—it’s a family tradition. Their father, Charlie Kramer, spent 30 years protecting UMD from pests of all kinds and helped shape FM’s pest control program into what it is today.

In 2023, UMD received $1.7 million in funding from a Maryland Department of Natural Resources grant to continue work on the Campus Creek Restoration Project. FM’s Planning & Construction team has played a key role in this transformative effort, which aims to reduce pollutants, improve water quality, and restore aquatic habitats within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Thousands of honeybees made an unexpected home high atop the Reckord Armory in June, drawing attention from passersby and prompting a uniquely delicate Facilities Management response. The swarm settled more than 30 feet up on one of the building’s east portico columns, creating a sizable nest just as crews were preparing to repaint the area. What followed was a careful, collaborative removal effort involving FM’s Pest Control team and experts from the Department of Entomology — all carried out with the goal of protecting both the bees and the building.

This summer, the UMD Arboretum team is helping students dig into something meaningful—literally. With the support of a $59,831 Sustainability Fund Grant, the Arboretum has launched its first-ever paid summer internship program. The funding supports eight student interns for 320 hours of paid work and includes educational opportunities designed to connect them with professionals in the field.