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May 2026 | Land Trust eNews
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Maryland Environmental Trust Spotlight |
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 Land Trust Roundtable on Simplifying Processes and Strengthening Policies
The Maryland Environmental Trust held a Land Trust Roundtable on May 6, 2026 in Crownsville. The event, Building Operational Excellence: Simplifying Processes and Strengthening Policies, brought together 27 individuals representing 13 conservation organizations who work across Maryland. The Roundtable featured presentations from MET’s easement and stewardship staff, who discussed current policies and procedures. MET staff also shared practical guidance on various workflows and addressed specific questions raised during the discussions. If you are interested in learning more about this event please contact Michelle at michelle.grafton@maryland,gov
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 DNR Launches “Roots for Resilience” Initiative To Strengthen Climate Adaptation on the Eastern Shore
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has launched a new initiative called Roots for Resilience: Strong Roots for a Changing Landscape to help Maryland’s Eastern Shore adapt to the growing impacts of climate change.
As part of the work for this initiative, DNR will oversee construction of living shorelines to protect marshes, fund wetland restoration activities, reconnect tidal systems, plant trees, and expand the state nursery in Preston to market locally sourced trees. The initiative will also implement these types of restoration strategies on existing conservation easements to protect critical habitats and aid communities.
By investing in trees, marshes, and people, Roots for Resilience supports ongoing efforts to create a healthier, more resilient Eastern Shore. DNR is collaborating with nonprofit partners including Audubon Mid-Atlantic and its Marshes for Tomorrow initiative, Lower Shore Land Trust, and Eastern Shore Land Conservancy to fulfill the initiative’s commitments. Read more.
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Communicating with Farmers Under Stress
June 9, 2026 | Webinar
Join Penn State Extension educators at this event for professionals who serve the agricultural industry and work with farmers and their families. This webinar will help ag professionals recognize the signs of stress and how to communicate with and respond to farmers and their family members when they need assistance. Space is limited - preregistration is required. Learn more.
New Guidance for Digital Recordkeeping
November 18 | Registration Fee
Land trusts are increasingly managing conservation records in digital environments, but doing so responsibly requires more than simply scanning documents or storing files in the cloud. Just like paper recordkeeping systems, digital systems must ensure that conservation records are complete, secure, protected and accessible for long-term efficiency. Drawing on real-world examples, the Land Trust Alliance has developed a guidance document to support a practical approach to designing and maintaining a digital-forward recordkeeping system that protects permanent transaction and stewardship records. This webinar was originally scheduled for May 19 and was rescheduled for November 18, 2026. Learn more.
DNR Study Takes a Nuanced View of Phragmites, the Notorious Invasive Grass
The tall, fast-growing plant—often simply called phragmites—is invasive in North America and widespread in the Chesapeake Bay region. The grass has received the scorn of environmentalists and coastal property owners alike for crowding out native plants and covering marshes with dense, difficult to remove thickets of pale green stalks. A new paper authored by a Maryland Department of Natural Resources scientist takes a more nuanced approach to phragmites, finding both advantages and disadvantages that the plant brings to wetland ecosystems. Learn 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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