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 Large Easement Settles in Somerset County
As they say, patience is a virtue and persistence pays off. Kate Patton, Executive Director of the Lower Shore Land Trust, began working on a large conservation project in Somerset County nearly a decade ago with landowner Larry Leese. Thanks to her hard work and Larry’s unwavering patience, over 1066 acres has been permanently protected. On July 9th, the Lower Shore Land Trust and the Maryland Environmental Trust finalized a conservation easement funded through a grant secured by Ducks Unlimited from the North American Wetland Conservation to protect habitat for the American black duck.
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2020 Webinar Series
The Foundation is currently offering a monthly webinar series that addresses issues and topics related to climate change and the future of land conservation in our region. For more information or to register visit the event page.
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Great American Outdoors Act
The Trump Administration worked with Congress to secure the passage of this landmark conservation legislation, which will use revenues from energy development to provide up to $1.9 billion a year for five years to provide needed maintenance for critical facilities and infrastructure in our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and American Indian schools. It will also use royalties from offshore oil and natural gas to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund to the tune of $900 million a year to invest in conservation and recreation opportunities across the country.
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Heart of Maryland Conservation Alliance Update
As Barry Salisbury puts it, “The pandemic has made it abundantly clear that we need to work together now to preserve the Middletown Valley.” So, thanks to hosts Art and Betsy Boyce, landowners curious about easements gathered in the Boyce’s beautiful barn on August 31 to learn from landowners already in easement programs. Masks might hide smiles, but not the enthusiasm in the room for conserving land in the Valley. With Barry as MC, staff from Maryland Environmental Trust, Frederick County, and Catoctin Land Trust shared information about their programs, too.
Barry and her husband Tod have already done a lot for conservation in the Heart of Maryland. They’ve donated easements on several properties to Catoctin Land Trust and Maryland Environmental Trust, preserving over 700 acres in western Frederick County. Now they are leading efforts to conserve land and promote trail networks in the Middletown Valley through the new Preserve the Middletown Valley initiative. They have taken the bold step of creating the Catoctin Watershed Preservation Fund at the Community Foundation of Frederick County, which they hope will grow to a revolving fund for conservation in the Valley. Click here to learn more about the Heart of Maryland Conservation Alliance.
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Support Us
Help protect our conserved properties by making a tax deductible contribution. Maryland Environmental Trust relies on financial contributions to supplement its operations and support the long term stewardship of over 1,100 conservation easements protecting more than 137,000 acres of scenic open space.
Donate Today
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