Spring 2024 Grant Profiles

Anne Arundel PD Southern District Gardens

The Southern District police station garden revitalization project blossomed from a simple interest in understanding the grant process. Initially motivated by a Unity Gardens grant application, a conversation with a local Police Officer led to a proposal to enhance the station’s bare garden beds, which had been the subject of community complaints. With funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Bureau of Watershed Protection & Restoration, the project took off! In a swift two-hour event, nearly 200 native plants were planted by 20 dedicated volunteers, including officers, Juvenile Justice Diversion participants, and community members. This initiative now provides meaningful community service opportunities for JJD participants, offering them ongoing responsibilities like watering and weeding the native gardens.

Brooklyn Park Food Forest and Garden

The Brooklyn Park Food Forest launched on April 20th with around 18 volunteers, primarily elementary school students and their families, who participated in staggered planting sessions during a Family Fun Day. Families learned about food forests, biodiversity, and the value of native plants. While students planted trees, Arlington Echo staff prepared the site by removing sod and adding compost. The project saw enthusiastic participation from over 75 volunteers and successfully established a new educational and environmental resource for the community.

Captain Avery Museum Native Gardens

Ground preparation for the Captain Avery gardens began in early spring, with volunteers from the Captain Avery Museum and Watershed Steward Academy tackling extensive debris removal, weeding, and invasive species elimination.

Chesapeake Children’s Museum

The project aims to prevent erosion at the Spa Creek trail’s endpoint. Although the NEEF grant to engage veterans and families in nature was not funded, volunteers from the American Legion Post, Anne Arundel Community College, and Truxtun Heights are set to assist in a fall planting. Initial plantings of rye grass and wildflowers faced challenges due to native wildlife consumption, prompting an order for native, fruit-bearing, pollinator-attracting trees, black willow trees, and ferns. The team is hopeful that the fall season will support better plant viability.