Riderwood Residents Donate to Local Schools

An Earth Day-themed used jewelry sale by Riderwood retirement community residents has sold a total of $1,162 which is being donated to support environmental education at two local public schools.  

Strathmore Elementary School received half of the money to purchase special equipment for its “salad” garden. The other half was sent to Beltsville Academy in Prince Georges' County for environmental education and for an addition to its courtyard garden.

Riderwood residents observe Earth Day every day of the year at their 120-acre campus through their wildlife habitat work.

The Riderwood Wildlife Habitat Project is certified under the Wildlife Habitat Council’s Wildlife At Work program. This certification recognizes the partnership between Riderwood residents and the campus’ Grounds Department staff and their longstanding commitment to the natural environment, which is visible through the extensive acreage of protected woodlands and enhancement projects.

During construction of Riderwood, more than 80 individual tree species that would have been cut were relocated on site and replanted in an arboretum and other natural areas around the campus. For this activity, the site received a Grand Award from the National Arborists Association in 2003.