Restoring land. Creating opportunity. Working together.

GroundWork is a hands-on conservation and workforce program led by Scenic Rivers Land Trust in close partnership with the Maryland Reentry Resource Center (MDRRC), with support from the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC).

At its heart, GroundWork brings people together to care for conserved land while creating meaningful, paid job training opportunities for individuals returning to the community after incarceration. It’s about restoring forests and opening doors. And it only works because of strong, trusted partnerships.

 

A Partnership at the Core

GroundWork is built alongside Maryland Reentry Resource Center, an organization that has long supported returning citizens through job training, workforce readiness, and reentry services. Scenic Rivers is proud to work shoulder-to-shoulder with MDRRC staff and crew members, designing and delivering this program together.

With additional training support from the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, GroundWork connects conservation expertise with real-world workforce pathways, making the program stronger, more relevant, and more impactful for everyone involved.

This is not a one-off project. It’s a shared commitment.

 

What GroundWork Does

GroundWork grew out of Scenic Rivers’ Healthy Forests Program, expanding it to
include paid workforce training and leadership opportunities for MDRRC participants.
Led by a team of Scenic Rivers, MDRRC, and CCLC staff, GroundWork trains MDRRC
participants to:

• Identify native and non-native invasive plant species
• Remove invasive plants that threaten forest health
• Replant and care for native trees and plants
• Restore habitat on permanently conserved land

The work is real, physical, and meaningful. And, it takes place on some of the most important natural areas in Anne Arundel County.

 

Why This Program Matters

Non-native invasive plants are one of the biggest threats to Maryland’s forests. Left unmanaged, they crowd out native species, reduce wildlife habitat, and weaken entire ecosystems, especially in sensitive areas like the South River Greenway, an Audubon Important Bird Area.

At the same time, many people returning from incarceration face major barriers to steady employment, despite strong motivation and ability. GroundWork addresses both challenges at once by pairing hands-on conservation work with paid training, skill-
building, and experience in the growing green workforce.

When we support people, our land benefits. And when people help care for the land, communities grow stronger.

 

What Participants Gain

Through GroundWork, MDRRC participants:

• Earn paid, hands-on work experience on conserved land
• Build practical skills in conservation landscaping and habitat restoration
• Gain exposure to careers in environmental and landscaping fields
• Develop confidence, purpose, and connection through meaningful outdoor work

Many participants from the pilot program shared that the work helped them feel more connected to nature, more optimistic about future job opportunities, and proud to contribute to their community.

 

Growing a Conservation Workforce

GroundWork is designed to be more than a single project. Together with MDRRC and CCLC, Scenic Rivers is working toward a long-term goal: building a pipeline of conservation-trained professionals who can support nonprofits, local governments, and the landscaping industry with ecologically sound land care.
By embedding paid conservation training directly into MDRRC’s reentry programming,

GroundWork:

• Removes barriers to entering the conservation workforce
• Centers an underrepresented community in program design and delivery
• Provides immediate income, professional experience, and a sense of purpose

This approach helps address both environmental and economic inequities, while expanding the region’s capacity to care for land over the long term.

 

GroundWork in Action: Caldwell Conservation Easement

GroundWork launched on Scenic Rivers’ Caldwell Conservation Easement, an 81-acre forested property in the South River watershed, conserved in 2019 thanks to the leadership of the Caldwell family. This special place includes:

• Mature forest and open fields
• Location within Audubon’s South River Greenway Important Bird Area
• Five acres of native trees planted as part of a reforestation effort

GroundWork crews began here by helping maintain and care for the young forest by removing invasive plants, learning plant identification, and supporting the long-term health of the landscape.

 

Looking Ahead

GroundWork builds on a successful pilot launched in spring 2025 with support from a Chesapeake WILD grant. The first year showed what’s possible when conservation and workforce development come together through strong partnerships.

With continued funding, Scenic Rivers and MDRRC aim to:

• Offer annual training cohorts
• Incorporate participant feedback to strengthen the program
• Explore job placement opportunities with conservation employers
• Grow GroundWork into a model that can be replicated elsewhere

This work supports Scenic Rivers’ Healthy Forests Program and aligns with statewide efforts to grow Maryland’s green workforce while staying rooted right here in Anne Arundel County.

 

Want to Learn More?

GroundWork is powered by partnership, people, and protected land. If you’re interested in supporting this program, volunteering, or learning more about our work with Maryland Reentry Resource Center, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we’re caring for the land—and for each other.