The Community Foundation of Southern Maryland’s Chaney Beautification Fund has given out 20 beautification grants to various nonprofits and schools in six different counties. The grants aim to encourage beautiful and sustainable landscapes in both Maryland and Virginia.
The grants, which range to about $1,000, are given each year to 501(c)(3) organizations, government agencies, and public or private schools. Each project must be located in a county where Chaney Enterprises has a presence.
A news release by Hall Chaney of Chaney Enterprises and the foundation said, “The value of an attractive and sustainable landscape is not only in the pleasure and beauty it provides. A well-planned garden or outdoor sanctuary can nurture the ecology and the wildlife of the area. We build buildings and pave roads to improve our lives; we should also consider improving our access to, and appreciation of, our natural surroundings.”
The Maryland Gazette reports that the following projects have received grants:
- Charles County: Health Partners, for landscaping improvements; Maryland Veterans Museum for outdoor theater landscape; and Spring Dell Center in La Plata for pond beautification.
- Anne Arundel County: Annapolis Maritime Museum, to redesign their garden and composting; London Town Foundation for a sound and sensory garden; St. John’s College for an entry plaza; and SPCA of Anne Arundel to restore their nature trail.
- Calvert County: American Chestnut Land Trust for pollinator gardens at Double Oak Farm; Calvert Hospice to build a Hospice House; Calvert Marine Museum, children’s maritime museum; Calvert Nature Society, picnic area at Flag Ponds; and Huntingtown Elementary School, nature trail restoration.
- Caroline County: Adkins Arboretum, nursery display garden; North Caroline High School, courtyard butterfly garden; Maryland Green School and town of Greensboro, transformation and preservation project.
- Prince George’s County: Accokeek Foundation, beautification of the museum garden; and Clearwater Nature Center, welcome walkway.
- St. Mary’s County: Lexington Park United Methodist Church, community garden; and Patuxent Habitat for Humanity, neighborhood revitalization.
- Caroline County, VA — Meadowview Biological Research, gardening with the interns.
Projects which incorporate eco-friendly gardening practices like water conservation, organic fertalizers, and native plants were encouraged. Planting trees, which are the earth’s longest living organisms, was also encouraged. Schools could incorporate their projects into curricula.
The grants, all of which were $1,000 or less, were given to organizations with the requirement of them matching grant funds with cash or in-kind goods or services. They also have to spend all of the grant money by December 1.
