2026 State Legislative Preview: Protecting Critical Conservation Funding
/Potomac Conservancy fights to defend forests, wild places in another year of budget uncertainty
Great falls on a winter morning. Photo credit: John Brighenti CC BY 2.0
Maryland and Virginia are rich in sprawling natural lands, freshwater streams, and abundant wildlife. But every day, right here in the Potomac River region, we risk losing these natural wonders to reckless, short-sighted sprawl. Worse still, when land is paved over and rainwater cannot be absorbed naturally, more polluted runoff is diverted to area streams.
The hard truth is that our leaders have prioritized sufficient funding to protect and sustain land that needs to be conserved.
Protecting our forests and streams is not a luxury – it's a must. Our communities’ health and well-being depend on clean air, clean water, and outdoor places for respite and exercise.
Our mental well-being: The outdoors is where people go to relax, it might look different for everyone. Some sitting on a bench reading, others listening to birds, or a few feeling the crisp air. In the end, any of those outdoor activities have the same effect - improving our mental health. Studies have even shown that spending time in parks can reduce anxiety and depression. Outdoor spaces also give us a place to connect with loved ones and spend time together by providing a central gathering point.
Our health: The Potomac River is the drinking water source for 5 million people in our region. Seventy percent of our bodies are quite literally made up of the Potomac! Since the 1970s, we’ve seen our hometown river transform from a “national disgrace” to a cherished treasure. But there’s still work to do. Last year we released our 2025 Potomac River grade: a B. It was a big upgrade from a D in 2011 but we need to band together to get to an A. Improving our natural resources, like outdoor spaces, will take a lot of dedication to ensure clean drinking water to our region.
The Potomac River is only as healthy as its surrounding land, which is why we need to preserve it. That’s why our 2026 state policy agenda is focused squarely on protecting and defending land conservation funding. Here’s the breakdown for Maryland and Virginia:
Maryland Top Priority: Defend Program Open Space
Maryland trail. Photo credit: John Brighenti CC BY 2.0
The 2026 legislative session, similar to last year, will face a large budget deficit projected to be approximately $1.5 billion. Maryland legislators will be looking for ways to address those budget challenges. With all options being on the table, we’ll be working hard to make sure critical land conservation and outdoor recreation programs like Program Open Space aren’t on the chopping block
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. Last year, the Department of General Services targeted Program Open Space to be zeroed out. But thanks to the incredible support of environmental champions in the Maryland General Assembly and advocates like you, it was only partially cut.
Today, more than 6,900 park and conservation area projects in Maryland have been funded through Program Open Space grants, 415,000 acres of land have been protected (more than 9 times the size of Washington, DC), and it has helped counties and municipal governments protect their natural resources to enhance their local communities.
We understand the tough budget situation we’re in this year but cutting this program would mean harming our environment and communities’ health. Program Open Space’s funding has been slashed countless times over the years. If we want a thriving community and local environment, we must protect this funding.
Virginia Top Priority: Virginia Great Outdoors Act
Blackrock Summit in Shenandoah National Park. Photo credit: Katie Yaeger CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The Commonwealth has rich and sprawling land that many of us appreciate, but we lack a dedicated source of funding to support Virginia’s outdoor spaces. Missing predictable funds means parks can’t keep up with the demand for trails, parks, public lands, the staff or infrastructure needed so that people can enjoy them. And demand keeps increasing, in 2023, Virginia State Parks welcomed 8 million visitors, a 9% increase from the year before.
This legislation would provide a sustainable funding source of $250 million in funding for the maintenance and acquisition of public lands and conservation initiatives in Virginia. It would guarantee that significant resources are allocated to reinforcing the protection of Virginia’s outdoor recreation offerings, creating new returns on investment that should benefit both the environment and the economy.
The state lags behind regional peers when it comes to allocating funds for conservation and public lands, which is why this is a critical bill to pass. If we want to ensure our lands are taken care of properly, protected, and thriving, we need to invest in conservation and outdoor recreation throughout the commonwealth.
Our River. Our Responsibility.
Tell your state leaders to invest in our community’s future!
We’ve made great strides to safeguard the Potomac’s forests and streams. The conservation of priceless natural lands in our region didn’t happen overnight or by accident. Every protected acre is a direct result of environmental groups and community advocates working together to protect our beloved region.
Now, YOU have a chance to carry on that legacy! Tell your leaders to protect our wild places and support critical conservation funding!
