Preservation Maryland: Member Highlight
Photo: Preservation Maryland
Last month, the Coalition welcomed Preservation Maryland on board as one of our newest members. They are a nonprofit based in Baltimore, Maryland that is dedicated to preserving all of Maryland’s historical sites through advocacy, funding and outreach. We had the pleasure of speaking with Kimberly Brandt, director of Smart Growth Maryland, to find out more on what makes their organization so special.
Tell us about your organization and your mission.
Preservation Maryland is the state’s oldest, largest and most effective preservation organization. Founded in 1931 to protect the best of Maryland, the 87-year old organization has divided its work into several specific categories:
Advocacy: Speaking up and making the case for the policies, programs and funding that make preservation, open space conservation and community revitalization possible.
Outreach & Education: Working to support and empower preservation efforts statewide through coordination, training and direct engagement via our Six-to-Fix program.
Funding: Directly investing in preservation projects through our Heritage Grant Fund, property redevelopment efforts and by working to secure additional private philanthropy in our state’s historic resources.
We consistently work to be a resource for the individuals and grassroots organizations working to save places that matter to their communities. This work takes on many forms, including thousands of hours of technical assistance, capacity building, strategic visioning and establishment of effective partnerships
What is one of your current projects you are the most excited about?
Preservation Maryland is excited about the new Smart Growth Maryland program, which will continue and build upon the work of 1000 Friends of Maryland. The 1000 Friends Board of Directors elected to consolidate with Preservation Maryland earlier this year.
Preservation Maryland was one of the founding organizational members of 1000 Friends of Maryland in 1994 and has been a partner through the years by advocating for the policies and programs that make redevelopment of historic communities and protection of open space a reality.
Preservationists have long made the argument that revitalization of existing communities – and their historic places – is smart growth. When existing communities are revitalized, sprawl development is limited. This symbiotic relationship has kept the smart growth and historic preservation communities advocating on each other’s behalf for many years. The launch of Smart Growth Maryland further solidifies this already strong relationship.
What issue area do you hope to focus on more of in the future?
Many Maryland cities and towns are struggling while forests and farms are lost to new, car- dependent developments. While minimizing the loss of rural land to development continues to be a priority, Smart Growth Maryland will also increase the focus on investment in established communities. Making it easier for developers to do the right thing remains a challenge that must be addressed. The consolidation of 1000 Friends of Maryland with Preservation Maryland – and the creation of Smart Growth Maryland – presents an exciting opportunity to work with our preservation, transportation and environmental protection partners to grow smarter in Maryland.
What do you hope to gain from being a member of the Coalition?
Many coalition members have long been partners of 1000 Friends of Maryland. We are excited to be continuing these partnerships under the banner of Smart Growth Maryland and to be working to improve the quality of life in our cities and towns, expand transportation choices and protect and maintain Maryland’s natural areas and open spaces.
Taylor Montford is the communications intern for the Choose Clean Water Coalition.