Twenty-one Maryland organizations have been awarded a combined $205,134 through the Keep Maryland Beautiful grant program for environmental projects. The funding supports community cleanup efforts, tree planting initiatives, and environmental education programs across nine counties and Baltimore City.
The Maryland Environmental Trust has distributed $205,134 among 21 organizations through its Keep Maryland Beautiful grant initiative, supporting environmental conservation efforts throughout the state.
This year’s funding cycle represents four decades of continuous grant distribution, with the program celebrating 40 consecutive years of supporting projects that protect Maryland’s natural environment.
Three state agencies collaborate to fund these grants: the Maryland Environmental Trust, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Maryland Department of Agriculture. The Maryland Environmental Trust, operating under the Department of Natural Resources, oversees the program while the Chesapeake Bay Trust handles administrative duties.
“The community work being supported through this program shows that every contribution matters when it comes to protecting our natural resources,” said DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz. “The Keep Maryland Beautiful grants are a testament to the work and collaboration among our funding partners and longstanding supporters who invest in the program year after year.”
Maryland Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Katie Thomson emphasized the importance of environmental accessibility. “Our natural resources are among Maryland’s greatest assets and the Maryland Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner in ensuring a healthy and accessible environment for our families and communities,” Thomson stated. “Funding from the Keep Maryland Beautiful grants fosters stewardship of nature and supports environmental work by organizations, schools and neighborhoods.”
Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks highlighted the connection between environmental stewardship and farming success. “By empowering local communities, land trusts, and non-profits to take ownership of environmental stewardship, we are protecting the very natural resources that the agricultural community relies on to thrive,” Atticks explained. “From supporting soil health to preserving the open spaces that define our rural heritage, these grants ensure that Maryland’s working landscapes remain productive and vibrant. When we invest in the beauty and health of our land, we are directly investing in the long-term success of our farmers and the resiliency of our state’s number one industry.”
The grant program traces its origins to 1967 with the establishment of the Maryland Environmental Trust, though the current streak of annual awards started in 1987. Administrative responsibilities transferred to the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2023.
MET Director John Turgeon expressed gratitude for ongoing partnership support. “Thank you to our partners for their unwavering support of the Keep Maryland Beautiful grants program,” Turgeon said. “These small but mighty grants help invest in our local nonprofits, communities, and land trusts that protect and care for Maryland’s natural resources.”
Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, praised the program’s community impact. “The Keep Maryland Beautiful grant program empowers people across the state to lead local projects for their communities,” Davis shared. “We are proud to administer this program that engages a wide range of local groups, from students to land trusts to civic organizations, to enhance natural spaces, strengthen neighborhoods, and inspire continued stewardship for the people and places that make Maryland special.”
Educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and land conservation groups across nine counties plus Baltimore City received funding through four distinct grant categories:
The Tree Planting on Agricultural Lands program distributed $98,134 across two grants, funded by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. These awards support cost-effective forest restoration projects on qualifying farmland, contributing to Maryland’s goal of planting 5 million native trees by 2031.
Six Land Trust Assistance grants totaling $55,000 were funded by MDOT and MET. These awards help Maryland land trusts build capacity, develop community programs, and strengthen organizational connections. The program honors Janice Hollmann, co-founder of both the Severn River Land Trust and Arundel Conservation Trust.
Eleven Community Stewardship grants worth $47,000 total were distributed to schools, nonprofits, and community groups by MDOT and MET. These funds support environmental education, community engagement, and green space projects while raising awareness of local environmental challenges.
One Aileen Hughes Grant of $5,000, funded by MET, recognizes outstanding conservation leadership within Maryland land trusts. This annual award honors the memory of Aileen Hughes, former longtime president of the American Chestnut Land Trust and conservation movement leader.
Recipients span from Anne Arundel County’s Scenic Rivers Land Trust to Washington County’s Land and Cultural Preservation Fund, with multiple organizations in Baltimore City and Baltimore County receiving awards. Other beneficiaries include groups in Calvert, Charles, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties.