Bring Your Public Land to Life: Apply for LSLT’s Meadow Program

Yards For Creation Interest Form

PC: Jodi Sulpizio, Penn State Extension

LSLT is now accepting applications for Yards For Creation, a program that installs native meadows on public land with a focus on congregations in Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties.

Earlier this year LSLT via their Yards for Creation Program in partnership with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake installed a native meadow at The Delmarva Free School (a member-based intentional land-use recovery community and nature sanctuary on Maryland's Eastern Shore). It bloomed beautifully for the first time this spring and was everything we hoped it would be and more.

What started as a vision for a healing space has turned into a living, breathing part of the Free Schools community. Neighbors stop by to take clippings. Members and their team gather there for moments of reflection. Events focused on wellness and connection have already taken place within the flowers. And soon, a fruit and herb garden will join the space to further support the school’s mission.

A snapshot from an event held in the Free Schools meadow, Spring 2025. PC: Kelly McMullen

Projects like this remind us why native meadow restoration is so important and why we are determined to keep the Yards for Creation program going. Executive Director Matt Heim and Communications Coordinator Brooke Orr spent the spring and summer applying for grants to support the initiative. It was Brooke’s first time navigating grant writing, and Matt skillfully guided the process while the two made the case for continuing this community-centered restoration work.

Early blooms in the Free Schools meadow this spring. PC: Kelly McMullen

Which brings us to where we are now: We’re happy to share that Yards for Creation has received funding, and we’re ready to move forward. Yards for Creation brings native meadow habitat to congregational and public spaces, adding beauty, biodiversity, and benefits for wildlife throughout the year. In 2025 alone, LSLT installed more than 110 acres of meadows across the Lower Shore and now we’re eager to build on that momentum.

We’re actively seeking new locations that want to bring a native meadow to their grounds. Each project is tailored to the needs of the site and the people who use it, whether the goal is habitat, education, healing, beautification, or all of the above.

If your congregation, organization, or public space is interested in exploring a meadow installation, please complete this interest form or reach out to Brooke Orr (Borr@lslt.org)

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