2026 ADVOCACY TOOLKIT

MASCD Members’ Guide to Promoting Conservation

While MASCD works with our lobbyists and partners that support our goals, there is nothing more effective than our local members speaking to the importance of conservation priorities in their own words. 

Our state elected decision makers need to hear from our members to better understand the role county conservation staff plan in supporting successful farms, protecting our drinking water, and bringing in dollars for their communities.

Join us in advocating for critical funding to support Maryland conservation

Our Key Priorities in 2026:

Preserve the Trust Fund

The Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund supports 50+ technical assistance positions throughout the state, half of the cover crop program funding, and other conservation programs that have been critical to our success. This funding was under threat in 2025, so it’s critical to let our officials know how important it is!

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Restore Funding for MACS

The Maryland Agricultural Cost-Share Program typically receives $8 million each year that supports a wide diversity of agricultural projects, but last year the fund was zeroed out. The stated intention in the budget was to restore funding in 2026. This year, we need to remind our officials and make sure to follow through on that plan.

Engagement Opportunities during Maryland’s Legislative Session

  • Reach out to legislators to set a meeting for our day in Annapolis
  • Invite your representatives to attend the legislative breakfast on February 10th
  • January 12, 2026- First MASCD Legislative Update with Providence Strategies (Calls are held weekly throughout session- email Jen Nelson if you’d like to be added to the invite list.)
  • January 14- Session begins. 
  • January 21- Final date for Governor Moore to introduce budget bill; MASCD members send a letter advocating for our budget asks
  • February 9- MASCD Winter Meeting
  • February 10- Legislative Breakfast in Annapolis- invite your elected officials to attend!
  • February 10- MASCD’s “Day in Annapolis”- visit with your elected officials and their staff
  • March 23- Crossover Date- Each Chamber to send to other Chamber those bills it intends to pass favorably. Opposite Chamber bills received after this date subject to referral to Rules Committees 
  • Stay up to date on scheduled hearings where MASCD should have representation

April 13- “Sine Die”- 90th day and last day of Session.

Take Action

We designed this Toolkit with accompanying Budget Action Checklist to help our members get started, track, and share your advocacy success! Check out the resources below to help you accomplish the items on your list.

DOWNLOAD ACTION CHECKLIST

Get to Know the Issues

The first step is making sure you are familiar with MASCD’s budget priorities. It’s important to know our specific requests and the messaging we are using to promote the work of our members and locally led conservation. 

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Attend MASCD’s Winter Meeting

Learn about this year’s legislative session and invite your elected officials to join us for breakfast.

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Legislative Priorities Handout

Download our one-page list of budget priorities, and be sure to share this with your local elected officials. 

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Attend an MASCD Legislative Update

Join us on our weekly calls to update members on current bills and the budget outlook. Contact Mike Mason to receive a meeting link.

Engage with Your Representatives

Building relationships with elected officials is key to advancing our conservation priorities. We encourage you to call your representatives early and often. We want them to be familiar with our work and understand the value of our people so they can better consider our budget requests. Here are some ways you can connect with your legislators.

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Organize a Visit

Prefer to engage with your local officials on home turf? Learn how to host a visit with this how-to guide.

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Make Your Ask

Whether at MASCD’s “Day in Annapolis” or another opportunity, we have tips for a productive meeting. 

Show Your Support

Elected officials hear from a lot of their constituents throughout the session, and it can be hard to cut through the noise. It can be very effective to for representatives to hear from you at the right time during budget or bill hearings. You can find out when these opportunities are coming up through our weekly updates (see above).

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Attend a Hearing

Showing up in person to attend a hearing or to testify is an effective way to show your support and ensure you’re heard. Mike Mason or Jen Nelson can help guide you on the schedule to attend and process to testify. 

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Call or Send a Letter

At critical junctures during session, consider writing a letter to support MASCD’s policy positions and budget asks. We’ll help by providing template language that you can modify as needed.

Keep us updated!

Feedback is vital to our effort. Let us know how you’ve engaged, who you talked to, how it went, and if there are more ways we can support you in advocating for conservation and the districts.

State Budget & Advocacy FAQs

How much funding do conservation and the conservation districts currently receive from the state?

Funding for conservation districts has been distributed in a few different places in the budget. A few of our priorities include:

  • Funding for staff is included in operations funding for MDA as well as the Chesapeake Trust Fund.
  • The Cover Crop Program is funded in part through the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, and partly through the Bay Restoration Fund. Funding ranges from $21 million – $23 million
  • The Maryland Agricultural Cost-Share Program has been funded at $8 million, with exception of 2025 when this budget was zeroed out with the stated intention to restore those funds in future years.  
Doesn't MASCD advocate for the conservation districts? Why do counties need to do it too?

Providence Strategies does a fantastic job of communicating with our elected officials and staff throughout session, and in working with our members to keep them up to date on issues.

Often though, elected officials need to hear from their own constituents who are directly affected by legislation. No one can tell your story better than you can!

I can't get a meeting with my elected official on our "Day in Annapolis". Is it worth it to meet with staff?

Staff is often valuable to meet with because they do a lot of the legwork to shape legislation.

You can (and should!) also look for other opportunities to talk with your representatives outside of our Day in Annapolis.

What is the most effective way to advocate for my district?

There’s not one “most effective way” to advocate. Hopefully, the “Budget Action Checklist” helps you identify a few actions that work for you.

The most important thing is that your elected officials hear from you! Developing a relationship with your local officials will pay dividends over time.

But wait- there’s more! 

Find additional advocacy resources on the “Resources for SCDs” tab, including

Your voice matters in this legislative session!