Art Meets Policy: Highlighting Land Conservation in Annapolis
Maryland’s legislative session is officially underway, and ESLC has been engaged from the very start. The session began on January 14th in Annapolis, where Owen Bailey and Carol Bean, our Land Use & Policy team, were there to represent ESLC and connect with lawmakers and conservation partners.
Maryland has a deserved reputation as an innovative state with a commitment to maintaining the quality of life for its residents and fostering sustainability. This is a long-standing commitment, beginning in 1969 with Program Open Space – a nationally-recognized program that funds state and local parks and conservation areas and helps to preserve working farm and forest lands. Maryland was the first state in the nation to establish a dedicated funding source for land conservation.
Our mission is to conserve land in perpetuity while supporting thoughtful planning that allows communities to thrive. Program Open Space is one of Maryland’s most effective tools for achieving that balance by protecting agricultural and natural lands, reducing sprawl, and directing development to appropriate areas with existing infrastructure. However, despite its proven success, more than $1.5 billion has been diverted from the program through state budget cuts, undermining its ability to meet growing demand as development pressure increases. Our Land Use & Policy team will continue to advocate for Program Open Space throughout this year’s legislative session.
To help set the tone for conversations with legislators, ESLC has partnered with the Avalon Foundation to present a plein air art exhibit highlighting the beauty of the rural Eastern Shore. The exhibit is located on the second floor of the Miller Senate Building, outside the Education, Energy, and Environment committee hearing room. It is intentionally displayed to shine a light on Program Open Space, using art to illustrate the landscapes that this program helps protect and that are central to the Eastern Shore’s identity. Some of the paintings came from last summer’s Forever for Everyone plein air invitational event and some came from the Avalon Foundation’s agricultural collection.
As the session moves forward, we will actively engage with legislators to advocate for full, reliable funding for Program Open Space and for policies that recognize conservation as essential infrastructure by supporting economic vitality, environmental health, and the long-term resilience of Maryland’s communities.
Learn more about how Program Open Space is funded in our recently released explainer video: