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June 2021 | Land Trust eNews
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Maryland Environmental Trust Spotlight |
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 Land Trust Roundtables to Resume In-Person
In-person events are just around the corner. So mark your calendars and save the date for the next Land Trust Roundtable on November 9. More details coming soon!
It's Great Outdoors Month!
The summer is nearly upon us and Maryland's parks are in full swing! Check out this video, Maryland State Parks: American in Miniature, produced by the Maryland Park Service. The video was designed to showcase public lands, staff, volunteers, and friends groups - and to promote the many opportunities available to park visitors.
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Land Trust Protects Old Growth Forest
Last month, the American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) completed its purchase of the GRDC (Governors Run Development Corp) property, a 78-acre tract in the Governors Run watershed. Concurrent with the purchase, a Maryland Rural Legacy easement was recorded to permanently protect the property. To learn more about the history of the property and its significance to ACLT's mission to preserve and protect the Parkers Creek and Governors Run Watersheds read the full Bay Journal article.
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Saving Natural Areas in Our Communities
Baltimore placed 5th in the nationwide survey by New York City's Natural Areas Conservancy (in partnership with The Trust for Public Land and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies) on how they support and preserve natural spaces. Baltimore Green Space's work with Springfield Woods and the supporting community was called out as a prime example for quality stewardship. Read more.
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Maryland Preserves 26 Working Farms
In May 2021, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved 26 new Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation (MALPF) easements during a virtual board meeting. These easements will permanently preserve an additional 3,273 acres of prime Maryland farmland in Allegany, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Washington, and Worcester counties for an investment of $13.6 million in state and local funding. Read more.
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Multi-Agency Land Deal Preserves 41 Acres
The Sussex County Land Trust and Chesapeake Conservancy announced the successful preservation of the newly named Nanticoke Crossing Park. This 41-acre property is located on the south side of the Nanticoke River, opposite Woodland, about 4 miles west of Seaford. This partnership marks a successful landmark collaboration by inter-governmental and non-profit organizations to preserve land in Western Sussex County for conservation and recreational use. Read more.
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Tools, Tech and Tutorials |
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 Protected Area Database with USGS
Protected Area Database (PAD-US) the official national inventory of U.S. terrestrial and marine protected areas that are dedicated to the preservation of biological diversity and to other natural, recreation and cultural uses, managed for these purposes through legal or other effective means. PAD-US includes the best available aggregation of federal land and marine areas provided directly by managing agencies.
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 National Conservation Easement Database
The National Conservation Easement Database is the first national database of conservation easement information, compiling records from land trusts and public agencies throughout the United States. This public-private partnership brings together national conservation groups, local and regional land trusts, and local, state and federal agencies around a common objective.
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 Upstream Tech and the Center for Geospatial Solutions Partnership
Upstream Tech, an environmental technology company, has announced a partnership with the Center for Geospatial Solutions, a part of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. Together they offer a suite of geospatial services to land trusts and conservation customers to support efficient, effective management and monitoring of conservation land.
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Wild Acres Public Events
Multiple June Dates | Free
Are you interested in making your habitat wildlife friendly? If so, check out Wild Acres upcoming events. The next series of events will run from June 21-27 in celebration of Pollinator Week. Topics include: Solitary Bees of Maryland; Butterflies and Bees that Need Trees; Gardening for Pollinators and more. Learn more.
Connecting Main Street to Mountaintops: Urban Land Protection as Part of a Comprehensive Landscape Conservation Strategy
June 24 | Free
Leaders from Trust for Public Land’s parks and schoolyards teams will share insights on effective strategies for using park creation, spatial analysis, and community engagement as part of a conservation approach that strengthens and improves the livability of our cities while connecting them to a larger surrounding landscape that spans regional and, ultimately, national borders. Learn more.
2021 Maryland Land Conservation Conference
July 13-14 | Registration Fee
Forever Maryland announces its full 2021 Conference agenda and speaker list. The conference, themed “Preserving with a Purpose,” will be held on July 13 and 14 at Ripken Stadium, in Aberdeen, and will include local, regional, and national speakers. This year's indoor/outdoor conference features keynote speakers, luncheon programs, an evening reception and an array of sessions hosted by distinguished leaders in land conservation along with preservation planning with your local government officials. Learn more.
Mastering the Master Plan
July 16 | Free
The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) membership has expressed interest in learning more about comprehensive planning, including the role of citizen planners. The MPCA will conduct the workshop in partnership with the MD Department of Planning and local stakeholders. Workshop topics will include: Purpose of comprehensive plans; Maryland comprehensive plan requirements; Community outreach and engagement; Data and analysis; Connection with other planning documents; Role of citizen planners and more. Learn more.
Exploring Diverse Traditions Speaker Series
Multiple Dates | Free
Join Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum's (JPPM) for their 2021 Speaker Series. Locations will vary this year due to the evolving health and safety precautions. The next session, Chesapeake ReMatriation: Piscataway Womanly Culture, will be held on June 24. Other topics include: Historically Black Beaches of Southern Maryland and African American Ties to the History and Culture of the Chesapeake Region; The Archaeology of Tattooing in North America and Beyond and more. Learn more.
Community Forestry Lunchtime Webinar Series
Multiple Dates | Free
The Penn State Extension Urban Forestry Team will be offering free monthly webinars on various community forestry topics starting in June. These hour-long webinars will be offered at 12 noon eastern time each month. Topics include: The Role of Climate Change on Forest Trees in the Eastern U.S.; Urban Tree Pest; Finding Qualified Professionals to Work on Your Community Trees and more! Learn more.
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DNR Secretary’s Message — June 2021 June is Great Outdoors Month so the Maryland DNR invites you to join us in celebrating outdoor recreation in Maryland!
Interagency Statement: USGS and Partners Investigating DC Area Bird Mortality Event In late May, wildlife managers in Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia began receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs.
Essential Elements of Conservation Landscapes Enduring landscapes serve their intended function well and harmonize with the surrounding environment.
Resiliency Through Restoration Program Breaks Ground at Church Camp This innovative restoration project is located on the West River in an area vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and coastal storm impacts.
Development Fight Erupts Over Protected Potomac Tributary On a warm spring morning, the fish were literally jumping in Mattawoman Creek.
Baltimore County Acquires Large Site for Open Space The County has acquired a 24.5 acre site located at Dulaney Valley Road, ensuring the land will continue to be available for recreational use and enhancing recreational opportunities in the Lutherville-Timonium area.
Phenomenal Fireflies Known to most as fireflies or lightning bugs, or to some outside of North America, “glow worms,” or “blinkies,” 2,000 species of these prolific flying beetles inhabit every continent except for Antarctica Read more.
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Share Your News
If you would like to share relevant conservation news, success stories, announcements or events with Maryland's land trusts and conservation partners through this publication, please contact Michelle Grafton by the first of each month at michelle.grafton@maryland.gov.
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