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Maryland’s Legislative Session: Protecting Program Open Space Top Priority for Land Conservation

What’s at stake this session and why Program Open Space matters to every Marylander

Maryland’s legislative session is in full swing and for the land conservation community, one issue is at the top of the agenda: protecting Program Open Space.

Because of a significant state budget deficit, the General Assembly is searching for ways to close funding gaps. One recommendation put forward by Maryland’s Department of Legislative Services would eliminate all funding for Program Open Space for the next four years.

Such a move would have serious consequences for near-term conservation and restoration projects and could create long-lasting ripple effects for land conservation well beyond 2030.

What Is Program Open Space?

Program Open Space is Maryland’s premier funding source for land conservation and outdoor recreation.

Maryland charges a 0.5% transfer tax on most real estate transactions, and those funds are directed to Program Open Space to support programs such as:

  • The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF)
  • The Rural Legacy Program
  • State and local parkland acquisitions
  • Protection of sensitive ecological areas
  • Conservation of large, connected blocks of farmland and wildlife habitat
  • Investment in parks and recreation facilities in Baltimore City
  • Expansion of parkland in underserved communities

Together, these programs help protect Maryland’s landscapes while ensuring communities across the state have access to open space, trails, and natural areas.

What’s at Stake This Session

If the General Assembly moves forward with proposed cuts to Program Open Space, the impacts would be immediate and far-reaching. Parks, playgrounds, and restoration projects could be delayed or halted, and cornerstone conservation programs like Rural Legacy and MALPF would be severely weakened.

Eliminating funding for Program Open Space would also intensify pressure on agricultural and conserved lands from large-scale solar development, potentially undermining Maryland’s statewide goal of conserving 40% of its land by 2040.

If additional legislation advances at the same time to further expand solar siting options without parallel investment in conservation, the state could face a difficult crossroads: farmers may be pushed toward short-term leasing arrangements while long-term land protection becomes harder to achieve.

How You Can Help Right Now

The future of Program Open Space—and Maryland’s broader land conservation efforts—depends on voices from across the state.

You can help by:

  • Sharing and engaging with legislative updates on Scenic Rivers’ Facebook and Instagram
  • Calling or writing your local representatives, or requesting a meeting. Find your representative on the Maryland General Assembly’s website.
  • Attending advocacy events to speak directly with decision-makers
  • Submitting letters or opinion pieces to newspapers and online publications about why land conservation matters to you

Program Open Space has protected special places across Maryland for decades. This legislative session is a pivotal moment to speak up for the lands, waters, farms, and parks our communities rely on.

Make your voice heard and help ensure Maryland continues to invest in land conservation.

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