7/29/2026 | Phyllis Joris, Executive Director

Like many nonprofits, NeighborSpace operates on a fiscal year that runs July through June. This month, NeighborSpace staff and board members took stock of progress made in the past year and drafted a work plan for the coming year.

More details will be provided in NeighborSpace’s Annual Report, which will be mailed to members in September, but here is a sneak peek of the organization’s FY26 accomplishments and its plans for FY27. If you would like to receive the Annual Report but are not yet a NeighborSpace member, you can become one here. 

In FY26, NeighborSpace finalized its Strategic Conservation Plan, which we will publish in the next few weeks. We have begun to lay the groundwork for a proactive, equitable approach to community conservation, and we are excited to pilot this approach in FY27. NeighborSpace added one new 16-acre conservation easement to its portfolio and has several more in the pipeline.

NeighborSpace completed a large and varied number of restoration and stewardship projects in the past year, including the installation of multiple microforest plantings at Tollgate Wyndham Preserve, tree plantings at several sites, the installation of benches at three parks, and of course the continued maintenance of all parks. We also developed and piloted a forest health assessment protocol, hosted our Neighbors for Native Plants course, put on many educational and hands-on stewardship events, and hosted NeighborSpace’s second live music series with partners! These initiatives will all be offered again in FY27.

During the legislative session, NeighborSpace worked with Forever Maryland to advocate for land conservation funding and policy, engaging with both state and federal legislators. We will continue to speak up together with colleagues for a greener, cleaner future in urban Baltimore County and beyond.

NeighborSpace is effective because of its network of donors, volunteers, partners and supporters. Thank you – for telling your friends and family about NeighborSpace, for volunteering with us, for supporting us financially. I hope you share my excitement for what lies ahead and I hope that you’ll join us for a program or project in FY27!