{"id":44219,"date":"2025-03-25T08:24:39","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T12:24:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=44219"},"modified":"2025-03-25T08:24:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T12:24:39","slug":"friends-of-maryland-state-parks-group-awards-funds-through-2025-small-grants-big-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2025\/03\/25\/friends-of-maryland-state-parks-group-awards-funds-through-2025-small-grants-big-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Friends of Maryland State Parks Group Awards Funds Through 2025 \u2018Small Grants, Big Impact!\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Funds support important projects in parks statewide<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"People<\/a>

Friends of Maryland State Parks presented grant funds to Assateague State Park. Maryland DNR photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

Friends of Maryland State Parks has<\/span> awarded 22 grants totaling $37,855 to state parks across Maryland <\/span>funds from the advocacy organization\u2019s program, \u201cSmall Grants, Big Impact!\u201d (SBGI).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These funds will support projects that enhance cultural history education, protect dunes, expand recreational access, and promote conservation. Since launching the SBGI program in 2020, the Friends have funded 95 projects with nearly $150,000 in grants.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

“This program continues to be a game-changer and force-multiplier for Maryland State Parks, providing vital support to enhance visitor experiences, protect natural resources, and expand educational opportunities,\u201d said Maryland Park Service Deputy Director Rachel Temby. \u201cWe are grateful for the Friends of Maryland State Parks’ ongoing commitment to supporting innovative projects that benefit both our public lands and the communities we serve.”<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s grants continue the program\u2019s growth, with funding increasing from $13,619 in 2021 to $37,855 in 2025. Parks in all five state park regions have received grants each year, helping to improve public lands and visitor experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur park rangers and staff are getting more creative every year, submitting projects that provide additional benefits for park visitors,\u201d said Chuck Hecker, board president of Friends of Maryland State Parks. \u201cWe have funded 95 SGBI projects since the grant program started five years ago. The total amount of funding, since the program\u2019s inception, is $149,952.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These grants, which range from $900 to about $2,000 depending on need, will enable staff to collaborate with community partners on the following projects and programs:<\/span><\/p>\n

Assateague Island State Park <\/b>
\n<\/b>Dune Grass Plantings and Protection\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This project increases the stability of the dunes by planting native dune grasses (American beachgrass) in areas around the campground, bathhouses and Nature Center.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Bohemia River State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Middle School Bioblitz – We Need a Ride!\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This grant funds the transport of 155 students from Bohemia Manor Middle School to Bohemia River State Park to conduct two comparison Bioblitzes, a communal citizen-science effort to record as many species as possible in a short time frame within a designated location<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Cedarville State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Activity guidebook\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The activity booklet is an excellent alternative to sharing the park\u2019s history, important rules, and Leave No Trace ethics with park visitors when park staff cannot be present. The activity booklet is full of various activities that are engaging and educational.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cunningham Falls State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Audio tour for aviary\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The self-paced audio device will provide visitors, when no staff is present, to learn about each of the park\u2019s avian ambassadors and assist visually impaired guests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cypress Branch State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Outdoor educational program kits\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

These educational resources for rangers promote wise outdoor stewardship among young visitors. Topics will include Leave No Trace, Fishing 101, Wildlife CSI, and Orienteering. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Deep Creek Lake State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Rain garden enhancements\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The project will expand the rain garden installed using a 2024 grant, and includes the planting of additional vegetation to reduce erosion around park pavilions. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Native Wet Gardens\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The grant will help plan native species for reclaiming areas that are no longer used for recreational activity and around the park aviary. The plants will help retain water and thrive in moist areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area<\/b><\/p>\n

Kiosk and MCC skills training\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Funds will be used to install a new parking lot kiosk to improve and update the old information board. This project will also be used to train Maryland Conservation Corps members on carpentry skills. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Franklin Point State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Trail improvements\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Wooden puncheon walkways will be installed on the parks\u2019 White-blazed Trail, a heavily saturated area lying in a floodplain. Due to its low elevation and flat surface, the trail\u00a0 floods regularly. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Greenwell State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Horse hitching rail and post<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The rails improve safety for equestrian users at the park and protect trees and surrounding area that are currently being damaged.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Herrington Manor State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Recreation opportunity and accessibility\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

As part of the Healthy Lifestyles initiative, this grant will provide visitors access to outdoor recreational equipment that will promote physical activity and recreation in the park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Janes Island State Park<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction to archery programs<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The park will use the resources to offer introduction to archery programs to school groups and campers. Park staff will use the training standards from the National Archery in Schools curriculum.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Dark Sky stargazing<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This grant will provide resources to assist with stargazing interpretation. After completion of this project, the park\u2019s goal is to become certified as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky\u00a0<\/span>Association.<\/span><\/p>\n

New Germany State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Winter Recreation Accessibility\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

As part of the Healthy Lifestyles initiative, this grant will provide visitors access to winter outdoor recreational equipment that will promote physical activity and recreation in the park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

North Point State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Bicycle accessibility\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Two bicycle repair stands will be strategically placed to support cyclists in the park. Park staff will encourage visitors to live healthy by biking, running, or walking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sandy Point State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Pollinator garden\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Planting a diverse array of native flowering plants will provide year-round shelter for pollinators. The project will provide visitors with enhanced opportunities to observe activity in the pollinator meadows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Seneca Creek State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

ADA interpretive signage\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

An interpretive sign will educate visitors about the recently placed color-blind accessible view finder near Clopper Lake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tuckahoe State Park\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2018Lore of the Land\u2019 sensory trail\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Funds will be used to fabricate and install interpretive signage for each of the 15 stations on the trail. In addition, the project will also include a sign providing the rules of the trail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Youghiogheny Wild River Natural Environmental Area<\/b><\/p>\n

Invasive plant removal\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The funds support a hands-on experience for Department of Juvenile Services youth and a local college club to remove large thickets of Japanese Barberry along the riverbanks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Statewide Work Group\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Invasive species management toolbox\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The project will provide the needed equipment and supplies to remove invasive species from public lands. This Toolbox would be available for loan throughout the state park system.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Outdoor Afro campout\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Funds support the Assateague Island Outdoor Afro campout in the fall of 2025 and introduce program participants to camping and kayaking, plus a program featuring yoga techniques and the history of horse management on the island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety and staff training\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

A grant supports American Red Cross Training provided by the Maryland Park ServiceTraining Division staff. The project will include the purchase of a newly released ARC smart mannequin.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Funds support important projects in parks statewide Friends of Maryland State Parks has awarded 22 grants totaling $37,855 to state parks across Maryland funds from the advocacy organization\u2019s program, \u201cSmall Grants, Big Impact!\u201d (SBGI).\u00a0 These funds will support projects that enhance cultural history education, protect dunes, expand recreational access, and promote conservation. Since launching the  Read the Rest…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":146,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[957,12],"tags":[5243,3565,4981,5303],"class_list":["post-44219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-appnews","category-parks","tag-friends-of-maryland-state-parks","tag-grants","tag-maryland-state-parks","tag-small-grants"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/146"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44219"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44226,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44219\/revisions\/44226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}