Tell your legislators: Outdoor recreation in Maryland deserves protection
/Green spaces are critical to the health and well-being of the Potomac River and our communities
Twinbrook Creek, Maryland. Photo credit: John Brighenti CC BY 2.0
Maryland is home to stunning mountains, flowing waterfalls, expansive hiking trails, and more. But all of this is at risk due to the Maryland Department of Legislative Services’ proposal to cut 100% of the funding for Rural Legacy, the Maryland Ag Land Preservation Fund, Heritage Areas, local parks and trails, and all Program Open Space land preservation programs through FY2029.
The 2025 legislative session has been different than many in Maryland due to the large budget deficit, a projected $2.9 billion. Maryland legislators are considering cutting critical outdoor recreation and land conservation programs to address these budget challenges. Defunding these programs would have detrimental effects on the Potomac River, our communities, and land preservation.
Why do we need these programs?
Sunrise at Piscataway Park. Photo credit: F Delventhal CC BY 2.0
Program Open Space was created over 50 years ago by the Department of Natural Resources. Many green spaces you see in your communities have been supported by this initiative. Today, more than 6,900 park and conservation area projects in Maryland have been funded through Program Open Space grants, and 415,000 acres of land have been protected. (more than 9 times the size of Washington, DC).
Land protection is one of the most powerful tools in the fight for clean water. The most effective and efficient way to ensure our drinking water is safe is to protect the lands that drain into it. Our waters are only as healthy as the lands that surround them.
For many residents in Maryland, like Marney Bruce, Program Open Space is provides them the opportunity to get outside and enjoy their local environment.
“I take people for nature walks all the time and it is wonderful that, because of Project Open Space, there are lots of natural areas within 10 to 15 minutes of wherever anyone lives in Maryland!”
Marney Bruce enjoying a hike in maryland
What is being done to protect these programs?
Potomac Conservancy and our partner organizations are not taking this proposal lightly. Here’s how we’ve fought back:
We're working with the Partners for Open Space coalition to meet with several legislators and testify at multiple budget hearings. Our Senior Director of Policy, Anna Mudd, has provided testimony dozens of times, and as a coalition, we’ve spoken at hearings throughout the session.
As a part of the coalition, we signed on to a joint statement expressing our strong opposition to the proposed budget cuts
Potomac Conservancy activated our supporters and encouraged them to contact their Maryland representatives to share their opinion
Croydon Creek Nature Center, Rockville, Md. Photo credit: John Brighenti CC BY 2.0
