{"id":44196,"date":"2025-03-20T10:14:07","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T14:14:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=44196"},"modified":"2025-03-20T14:57:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T18:57:43","slug":"keep-maryland-beautiful-grants-award-238751-for-conservation-efforts-for-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2025\/03\/20\/keep-maryland-beautiful-grants-award-238751-for-conservation-efforts-for-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants Award $238,751 for Conservation Efforts for 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Keep Maryland Beautiful grants include funds for land trusts to increase their capacity; many, like American Chestnut Land Trust in Calvert County, have used funds to enhance land stewardship practices and increase community programming and services. Maryland Environmental Trust photo.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n

Maryland Environmental Trust has approved 20 grants totaling $238,751 to be awarded for environmental education, community cleanup, tree planting, and beautification projects through the <\/span>Keep Maryland Beautiful program<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Presented annually since 1986, the grant program is managed by the<\/span> Maryland Environmental Trust<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 \u2013 a unit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) \u2013 and administered on the department\u2019s behalf by the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Maryland Environmental Trust\u2019s Board of Trustees voted to approve the grants after staff completed an application and review process.<\/span><\/p>\n

The grants are funded by the <\/span>Maryland Environmental Trust<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Maryland Department of Transportation<\/span><\/a> (MDOT), and the <\/span>Maryland Department of Agriculture<\/span><\/a> (MDA).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese grants help develop communities by supporting families and students who take personal responsibility for the health of their environment by protecting nature in their backyards and working to resolve environmental challenges to improve quality of life for all Marylanders,\u201d said DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz. \u201cThanks once again to the Maryland Environmental Trust board, Chesapeake Bay Trust, and the departments of Agriculture and Transportation for supporting this important work.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProtecting, cleaning and maintaining Maryland’s diverse natural environment is fundamental to our state’s continued growth and ensuring future generations can benefit from cleaner, healthier communities,\u201d said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. \u201cThe Maryland Department of Transportation is proud to work with and contribute to the Keep Maryland Beautiful program which supports the environmental work of organizations, schools and neighborhoods.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Maryland Department of Agriculture is excited to once again partner with our sister agencies to support the Maryland Environmental Trust\u2019s efforts in keeping Maryland beautiful through this grant,\u201d said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program equips students, neighbors, land trusts, nonprofits, and more to lead local restoration and community stewardship activities that together have a big impact in protecting our natural resources,\u201d shared Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. \u201cWe are proud to administer this comprehensive program that empowers diverse groups across Maryland to promote the health and vitality of all our communities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep Maryland Beautiful recipients included schools, nonprofit groups, municipalities and land trusts in nine counties and Baltimore City.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The grants are awarded through these programs:<\/span><\/p>\n