Maryland continues to rank among the most environmentally friendly states in the country, according to a new 2026 report from WalletHub released ahead of Earth Day.

The personal-finance company evaluated all 50 states across 28 key metrics tied to environmental health and sustainability, including air and water quality, energy use, and green building practices. The report comes as the U.S. experienced $182.7 billion in damage from weather and climate disasters in 2024, underscoring the growing importance of environmental protection efforts.

Maryland ranked 6th overall in the nation, placing it well above average and among the top tier of “green” states. The state’s strongest showing came in green building infrastructure, where it ranked 1st in LEED-certified buildings per capita, highlighting a significant investment in sustainable construction and design.

Other rankings for Maryland include:

• 14th in air quality
• 20th in soil quality
• 15th in water quality
• 9th in energy consumption per capita
• 16th in gasoline consumption per capita

The report reflects a mix of strengths and areas for improvement, with Maryland excelling in environmentally conscious development while landing closer to the middle of the pack in natural resource quality metrics.

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/greenest-states/11987

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Beyond Yoga will officially open its new store at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on Friday, April 24, marking the brand’s first new retail location of 2026 and its first location in Maryland.

The women’s activewear brand, founded in Los Angeles, will be located on the lower level of the mall at 7101 Democracy Boulevard, in a 1,900-square-foot space next to the upcoming Mavi store.

The new location is part of the company’s continued East Coast expansion and will feature Beyond Yoga’s full assortment, including women’s, men’s, and maternity lines, with sizing ranging from XXS to 4X. The store is designed to reflect the brand’s wellness-focused and community-driven approach, offering immersive in-person shopping experiences, spacious fitting rooms, and rotating seasonal displays showcasing its signature ultra-soft fabrics and lifestyle collections.

The Montgomery County Planning Board approved a preliminary plan and associated forest conservation plan for a new church project at its March 26, 2026 meeting, advancing a proposal for Iglesia De Cristo Mi El Maryland in the Olney area.

The project is planned for 17521 Old Baltimore Road, on a 7.21-acre property located on the south side of Old Baltimore Road, roughly 1,100 feet east of Winter Morning Way. The site sits within the Rural Neighborhood Cluster (RNC) zone and is part of the Olney Planning Area identified in the county’s 2005 Olney Master Plan. According to planning documents, the surrounding area consists of a mix of residential neighborhoods and open space. Residential development lies to the north across Old Baltimore Road, with additional housing nearby in the Olney Estates cluster. Open space parcels border the property to the south.

As part of the approval, the applicant must comply with a detailed Forest Conservation Plan aimed at preserving and expanding tree coverage on-site. The plan requires the establishment of a Category I Conservation Easement covering approximately 1.28 acres of forest planting, which must be formally recorded in county land records. Additional requirements include the installation of permanent conservation signage, a five-year maintenance and management agreement for planted areas, and the submission of a cost estimate and financial surety to guarantee the installation and upkeep of required landscaping and tree plantings.

The applicant must also meet afforestation and mitigation requirements, including securing credits for 0.13 acres of off-site forest mitigation if necessary. Tree protection measures, erosion control consistency, and scheduled inspections by county staff are also mandated throughout the development process. Plantings must be completed within designated timeframes following site stabilization and permit approvals, including specific requirements for mitigation trees to meet minimum size standards.

With the preliminary and forest conservation plans now approved, the project can move forward to the next stages of review and permitting, subject to compliance with all outlined environmental and regulatory conditions.

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