eastern shore maryland farmland conservation

Author: ESLC

September 11, 2014

Future of Eastern Shore Agriculture conference planned for November

EASTON – Eastern Shore Land Conservancy on Thursday, Nov. 20, will host the 15th Eastern Shore Planning Conference, “The Future of Eastern Shore Agriculture,” at the Tidewater Inn in Easton. The conference will celebrate and discuss innovations and opportunities for Eastern Shore agriculture, including: strengthening current agriculture, supporting emerging and niche agricultural opportunities, and further developing Eastern Shore communities’ connection to agriculture. ESLC invites members of the agriculture community, elected and appointed officials, government staff members, community leaders, and anyone interested in food to attend. “We hope Eastern Shore agriculture will be just as strong in 500 years as it is today,” said ESLC Policy Manager, Josh Hastings. “This conference will help develop understanding about Eastern Shore agriculture, explore methods to enhance what is already being done, and strengthen rural communities through our number one industry.” The conference agenda will offer ample time for participants to hear from Maryland leaders, ask questions, and fully consider the future of Eastern Shore agriculture. An extensive exhibit hall will offer a wide range of information about history and opportunities in the region’s agriculture. Questions considered include the following: Will drones be a strong part of Shore agriculture, and what opportunities are available through precision agriculture? How have Eastern Shore farms benefited from tourism, creating new farm markets, or changing their products? What role can a regional food hub play? What is the future for aquaculture? What are the advantages and struggles with crop diversification and green energy? How can we help improve accessibility food in our own Eastern Shore communities? Register today online or by contacting Jen Matthews at 410-827-9756, ext. 155, or jmatthews@eslc.org for the early bird rate of $45 or a student rate of $25.

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August 18, 2014

Land and a beetle, preserved

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy this year helped protect more than 170 acres on Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay’s Camp Grove Point in Earleville. The property’s 2,200 feet of eroding cliffs at the mouth of the Sassafras River provide unique habitat needed by the federally threatened Puritan tiger beetle, a creature smaller than the tip of a fingernail yet a fierce predator in the insect world. “We are taking a significant step forward in recovering the Puritan tiger beetle, whose largest global population is found in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland,” said Genevieve LaRouche, Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chesapeake Bay Field Office. “This partnership illustrates the important role of local groups and landowners in the conservation of our rare native wildlife.” Every year, hundreds of Girl Scouts attend day and residential summer camps and participate in troop camping throughout the year. “Good stewardship of our land is an important part of Girl Scouting,” said Anne T. Hogan, CEO of Girl Scouts of Chesapeake Bay. “Rich with diverse wetlands and upland forests of oak, tulip poplar, beech and hickory, the new easement will permanently protect the area’s sensitive ecosystem,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Joe Gill. “By preserving this critical landscape we can help guarantee the future of the Puritan tiger beetle, as well as … osprey, eagle, deer, fox and many migratory songbirds.” Permanent protection of this land will help meet one of the federal criteria required for recovery of this species—to stabilize six large sub-populations and their habitats in the Chesapeake Bay. With the protections on the Girl Scout property, four sub-populations will be protected in Maryland. “Preservation of this property not only means protection of a unique ecological site,” said Jared Parks, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Land Protection Specialist. “It preserves a place where generations of girls can go to explore the outdoors and learn about nature with

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August 12, 2014

Cross Street Partners to help with Eastern Shore Conservation Center

QUEENSTOWN – Eastern Shore Land Conservancy contracted with Cross Street Partners, a real estate consulting company that counts among its projects Baltimore’s Food Hub, Harbor East and Belvedere Square, for assistance with the Eastern Shore Conservation Center. The company will provide financial advisory services, including polishing the project’s budget as ESLC prepares to close on a tax credit, representing ESLC as it pursues federal historic tax credits, and help with post-closing accounting needs. “I have seen the Baltimore work of Bill Struever and Cross Street Partners and it is amazing,” said ESLC Executive Director Rob Etgen. “They take beat up historic industrial buildings and turn them into vibrant, stimulating hubs of economic and community activities – and always with a focus on local food and sustainability. Cross Street Partners is an ideal part of our team for revitalization of the McCord and Brick Row buildings into the Eastern Shore Conservation Center.” ESLC officially broke ground Friday, July 18, on the Eastern Shore Conservation Center. The design and renovation of the former McCord and Brick Row buildings will cost about $7.6 million. To date, ESLC has raised $5 million. The LEED-certified campus will be home to ESLC headquarters, as well as other conservation and community-centered nonprofits. A café, a courtyard open to the public, and meeting rooms will make this a community conservation center. The dilapidated and abandoned McCord building and neighboring Brick Row, which was damaged by fire, will become a place for nonprofit collaboration and will revitalize a forgotten section of South Washington Street. Other than financial advisory services, Cross Street Partners offers property and asset management, master planning and development service, construction management and general contracting, retail merchandising strategies, and marketing services. The firm also served as the owner’s representative for the Under Armour Headquarters/Visitors Center and Skywalk in Locust Point and provided development, retail

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August 7, 2014

Preview our Party to Preserve

Party To Preserve

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July 7, 2014

ESLC to Break Ground on Eastern Shore Conservation Center

EASTON – Join Eastern Shore Land Conservancy for a groundbreaking with Gov. Martin O’Malley at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center on S. Washington Street. O’Malley dedicated $1 million toward the historic renovation project in his FY2014 capital budget. The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the site of the former McCord building and neighboring Brick Row, the buildings that will become part of the Eastern Shore Conservation Center campus. Also speaking will by former Gov. Harry Hughes, EPA Region III Administrator Shawn Garvin, and ESLC Capital Campaign co-Chairman Jenny Stanley. ESLC since 1990 has helped protect more than 56,000 acres of farms, forests and wetlands. As the organization approached its 20th year, ESLC leaders realized Eastern Shore farms and forests are supported by and support Eastern Shore towns. The Shore’s unique rural communities can continue to thrive with the help of green infrastructure design, outdoor recreational opportunity, and access to local foods. ESLC has the resources and years of experience to recommend and implement good design and to help counsel community leaders about keeping towns great places to live, work, and play. To that end, ESLC broadened its mission to include these things and is leading by example with the concept of the Eastern Shore Conservation Center. ESLC will leave its home in the beautiful woods, near the Wye River, and put their stake in a vulnerable area of the Town of Easton. In addition to bringing ESLC staff and skills to the community, ESLC leaders envision a new day for the community and for nonprofit collaboration. The historic McCord Laundry Building and Brick Row are part of Easton’s National Register Historic District. Though currently abandoned, they are beautiful examples of early 20th Century commercial architecture. The project is design to have a catalytic effect on the South Washington Street corridor, where the

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Author: ESLC

Future of Eastern Shore Agriculture conference planned for November

Land and a beetle, preserved

Cross Street Partners to help with Eastern Shore Conservation Center

Preview our Party to Preserve

ESLC to Break Ground on Eastern Shore Conservation Center

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