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September 2, 2009

500-acre Cordova Farm Protected Forever

Property to be farmed by Fifth Generation of Longtime Talbot County Farm Family ESLC announced today that approximately 500 acres of Talbot County farm and forest land will be protected forever and in the hands of the next generation of a longtime farming family thanks to the approval of three conservation easements on the Doughty Farm. The easements on the Doughty property in Cordova –approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works today - feature 420 acres of tillable ground with the remaining acreage in upland forest and forested wetlands. The farm is located in ESLC’s Tuckahoe Rural Legacy Focus Area and is adjacent to 571 acres of land already protected with agricultural easements. The property is located on both sides of Lewistown Road, with the eastern 219+ acres almost entirely tillable ground. The western portion has approximately 52 acres of woodland that has been identified as FIDS habitat and also includes approximately 200 acres of tillable ground. There are also approximately 16 acres of wetlands on the entire property. FIDS (Forest Interior Dwelling Species) habitat supports a diverse population of bird species that need large forest areas to breed successfully and maintain viable populations. FIDS include songbirds, woodpeckers, hawks and owls. This project also helps two young farmers Kyle and Travis Hutchison along with Hutchison Bros. buy a piece of property from Doughty Farms, Inc. in order to continue the family farm operation by preserving the land. The Hutchison family has been farming in Talbot County for about 130 yrs, since the 1880’s. Kyle, Chad, Richard Jr. and Travis Hutchison are the 5th generation of Hutchisons to continue the farm operation. Doughty Farms sold the farm to ESLC to preserve, and ESLC will transfer the property in three tracts to conservation buyers Hutchison Brothers and Meadow View Farms while purchasing an easement

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August 30, 2009

Shore residents donate 235 acres to land preservation

ESLC's total for calendar year totals 3,905 acres Eastern Shore Land Conservancy announced today that nearly 235 acres of land across the Eastern Shore have been protected forever from development thanks to four new donated conservation easements. This is in addition to the 2,894-acre Andelot Farm conservation easement donation by Louisa Duemling two weeks ago. These four new easements are co-held with the Maryland Environmental Trust and were approved today by the Maryland Department of Public Works. These four properties include the Jolly property in Kent County, the Michaels property, also in Kent, and the Pascal and Richards properties in Talbot County. These donated conservation easements bring ESLC's land protection total for the 2009 calendar year to 3,905 acres. A few highlights on each of the properties include the following: Jolly: Located in Kent County northeast of Galena, this 100.349 acre property known as Rosehill Farm includes 43 acres of forest, 50 acres of tillable land and 3 ponds. The donation of this conservation easement by Charles "Chuck" Jolly helps further establish a protected greenbelt around the northern and eastern edges of the town of Galena since the farm is adjacent to the a 79-acre conservation easement co-held by ESLC and MET and is across Mill Creek from Kent County’s 37-acre Toal Park, a portion of which ESLC helped the County acquire in 2007. Rosehill Farm has approximately 1,600 feet of forested frontage along Mill Creek, a tributary to the Sassafras River, and 1,100 feet of scenic frontage along Gregg Neck Road. With a little over 43 acres located within the Critical Area and approximately 15 forested acres located within the 100-year floodplain, the protection of Rosehill Farm will have a positive impact on water quality. Michaels: Located in Kent County near Crosby 24.22 acre property southeast of Rock Hall, this property includes

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August 10, 2009

ESLC and Partners Kick Off Speaker Series

Speaker Series Launched in Dorchester "A Shore Worth Saving" Event Kicks off Aug. 13 at Dorchester Council Chambers Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, a private nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and habitat on the Eastern Shore, Dorchester Citizens for Safe Energy, Dorchester County Tourism and Dorchester County government have announced the first event in the "A Shore Worth Saving – Preserving Our Past, Protecting our Future" series. The first event in the series will take place on Thursday, August 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 at the Dorchester County Council Chambers and will feature Elizabeth Beckley, Eastern Shore Field Officer for Preservation Maryland and Harriet Tubman Byway Director Tonda Williams. The series will highlight the roots of Dorchester County and efforts to preserve and protect this critical landscape. Dorchester County is home to the birth place for Underground Railroad Conductor Harriet Tubman, and the shining environmental treasure Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to these critically important areas, Dorchester is home to a variety of agriculture operations, fishing and waterman industries, as well as fur trappers. Many people and organizations are working hard to ensure that this landscape is preserved, honored, and enjoyed for generations to come as threats to this landscape become more and more of a reality. Most recently, the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway (MAPP) project poses a permanent and possibly detrimental change to Dorchester County. This project will threaten 27 miles of this County, this decision will permanently change this land, views, and the community which calls this place home. "We hope this Speaker Series will showcase the assets this County has to offer the Shore, State and Nation, and more importantly how threats like the MAPP proposal can jeopardize that" said Morgan Ellis, ESLC’s Land Use Planner. "We hope folks will walk away from these sessions better informed

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August 4, 2009

ESLC Goes Greener with Energy Audit

ESLC Completes Energy Audit of Queenstown Headquarters Queenstown, Maryland – August 4, 2009 – In an effort to promote greener living and energy efficiency, the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), recently completed a comprehensive energy audit of its Queenstown headquarters. The audit, which was conducted by Rick Nelson of National Property Inspections, lists energy efficiency improvements and their estimated savings and cost as well as details on implementation and contractor resources. Also included in the report are additional energy efficiency recommendations and detailed explanation of each recommended improvement. The audit is just one of several activities ESLC is doing to work toward becoming a greener workplace and reduce its own carbon footprint on the Eastern Shore. "Participating in this audit was a very eye-opening exercise and a great way for us to see ways that even small improvements can help us to be better citizens and stewards of the planet," said Nina White, ESLC’s Director of Administration, who oversees ESLC’s energy efficiency operations. "I recommend that an energy audit to anyone who wants to conserve energy – and potentially save themselves some money in their overall energy costs." In addition to the energy audit, ESLC and its staff have incorporated a number of other energy saving measures. They include keeping thermostats set at 76 during the summer months and 70 during the winter, programming all thermostats, setting all printers to print double-sided, increasing use of email and electronic communications as well as the increased use of conference calls and telecommuting to reduce carbon emissions. "We are very excited to become a greener workplace and help share this knowledge with other groups and individuals who are looking to do the same thing," added White. "Little things can add up quickly and make a major impact on the Eastern Shore and planet as a whole." For

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June 21, 2009

ESLC Kicks Off Campaign to Keep Citizens Engaged in Dorchester Powerline Debate

ueenstown, Maryland – June 21, 2009 –In conjunction with the beginning of the summer season, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, has announced the official launch of a public awareness campaign against the Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway as it is currently proposed. The Mid-Atlantic Power Pathway (MAPP) project is a 230-mile high-voltage (500 kilowatt) electricity transmission line that would stretch from the Possum Point generation facility in Prince William County, Virginia, to the Indian River generation facility in Sussex County, Delaware. This campaign and action center is aimed at informing local residents about the project. It will provide resources, news and links to help members of the community stay current and engaged with the project. "We are very pleased to be able to provide the Save Energy, Save Dorchester website and action center as a resource for Eastern Shore residents to learn about and hopefully get involved with this project," said Morgan Ellis, Regional Land Use Planner and spokesperson for the campaign. "If approved as proposed, this transmission line would completely and irrevocably alter the amazing rural character of Dorchester County. We hope that folks will use this website to stay in touch and on top of the latest developments concerning the proposal." This transmission line requires a 200 foot right-of-way for the 140-150 foot high towers and would transect 27 miles of Dorchester County (27 miles) with large transmission towers. The rights-of-way required for these lines would consume 650 acres of Dorchester's agriculture, forest and rural lands. There are many unanswered questions on the impacts to Dorchester's economy, environment, and the possible alternatives and the MAPP Action Center was designed to provide visitors with resource information, the latest project news and links to ways you can make your voice heard on this project. In conjunction with this campaign kick-off and the impending summer season ESLC reminds

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March 30, 2009

Browning Creek Protected Forever

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), a private, nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and habitat on the Eastern Shore, proudly announces that Browning Creek Farm in southern Cecil County, Maryland has been protected forever from development. A conservation easement was purchased on the 355-acre farm using federal transportation funds earmarked for the protection of the view along Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway. Former Congressman Wayne Gilchrest was instrumental in getting these funds earmarked for Chesapeake Country. ESLC, the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties along with the State Highway Administration have since been working cooperatively to protect key properties along the Byway. Browning Creek Farm is the first property to be protected using this funding. Situated north of Cecilton and south of the Bohemia River on Route 213, Browning Creek Farm is located across the road from a block of approximately 1,600 acres of protected land, including Anchorage Farm, which ESLC helped protect in 2001. Known locally as "Needmore" and the "Pumpkin Shell," Browning Creek Farm consists of approximately 220 acres of tillable ground, 65 acres of grassland, and 60 acres of forest and has about 3,800 feet of frontage along the Chesapeake Country. The quest to protect Browning Creek Farm began in 2006 after the property received approval for 47 residential lots, which led to ESLC’s involvement. The farm was permanently protected earlier this month thanks to widespread community support and the willingness of the landowners, brothers Felix and Mark Rutkoske, to sell a conservation easement at below appraised value and to allow ESLC time to find a conservation buyer for the farm – someone to buy it after the easement was purchased. Fortunately, local farmers and conservationists Jack and Charlotte Loller, stepped up to purchase the farm so that their grandson

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March 15, 2009

ESLC, MRDC Host Water Resources Workshop

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), a private, nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and habitat on the Eastern Shore and the Maryland Rural Development Corporation recently hosted a “Smart About Water’ Workshop. Held in Georgetown,, Maryland, the workshop brought 40 town managers, commissioners, and planning commission members together with county health department officials, water system operators and watershed protection groups to hear from experts in the areas of source water protection and water resources planning. The workshop is one of many efforts by ESLC to assist towns and municipalities in their implementation of House Bill 1141. Presenters at the workshop included Joe Everd of the Maryland Rural Water Association, Tucker Moorshead, CEO of EarthData, Inc, John Beskid, Director of Environmental Health for Kent County, Henry Burden, Planner for the Town of Port Deposit and former Town Administrator for the Town of Charlestown and Peter Johnston, community planner and founder of Peter Johnston & Associates, LLC. Topics discussed included wellhead and water system protection, legislative updates, and case study examples. “We are so pleased to be able to provide this type of workshop as a continuing resource for our towns and municipalities as they tackle important planning issues,’ said Jacob Day, Town Planning Manager for ESLC. “This type of information sharing should help our local planners really streamline their individual efforts and result in the best ideas being implemented in future planning efforts.” Additional workshops and other educational activities are planned in the future. For more information or to sign up for ESLC updates on this and other issues, please visit www.eslc.org. About the Organizers: The Workshop was organized and presented by the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Maryland Rural Development Corporation with support from the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Program and the US EPA. This year, EPA and

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March 10, 2009

ESLC Seeks Immediate Conservation Buyer for Cecil Farm

Queenstown, Maryland – March 10, 2009 - Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), a private, nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of farmland and habitat on the Eastern Shore has announced its intention to protect 355 acres of farmland from development. ESLC has arranged a 45-day option contract to purchase Browning Creek Farm, and is seeking an immediate Conservation Buyer to then accept the Agreement of Sale. Offers are due by the close of business on March 20, 2009. Located in southern Cecil County, Maryland along Route 213 (Chesapeake Country National Scenic Byway), and known locally as “Needmore” and the “Pumpkin Shell,” Browning Creek Farm consists of 355 acres, including approximately 220 acres of tillable ground, 65 acres of grassland, and 60 acres of forest. The address of the farm is 5224 Augustine Herman Highway, Earleville, Maryland. It is located across the road from a 1600-acre block of preserved land, including Anchorage Farm, which ESLC helped protect in 2001. Browning Creek Farm has about 3,800 feet of scenic frontage along Chesapeake Country, and a tributary of the Bohemia River borders the entire back of the property, providing scenic water views and an important forested riparian corridor for wildlife habitat and water quality. This is ESLC’s second attempt to protect the farm. Plans to purchase the farm in 2007 and transfer that contract to a conservation buyer were unsuccessful. Browning Creek Farm, under its current ownership, received preliminary plat approval last summer for 47 residential lots, which is the reason for ESLC’s continued efforts to buy and protect the farm. After transfer to a conservation buyer, a conservation easement will be purchased on the property, so the farm will be permanently preserved. “This is such a special property for Cecil County and we are really grateful for the second chance to protect

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January 9, 2009

Oxford Family Leaves Bequest to ESLC

Monies Being Used to Leverage Funding Sources to Fund Land Protection ESLC has announced the receipt of a generous bequest from the estates of William and Mary Thompson of Oxford. Most of the bequest will go toward ESLC’s Stewardship Endowment and matching funds that can be used to leverage County and Federal dollars to protect more farmland. In an effort to help increase and improve the options available for farmers wishing to protect their land, ESLC has dedicated $200,000 of the bequest to match County contributions towards Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection (FRPP) conservation easement purchases in Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. Eastern Shore farms are critical to the region’s economy and rural way of life. Interest among farmers in selling development rights has outstripped available funding sources, and that trend is likely to increase as budgets tighten at the local and state level in the next few years. The FRPP program purchases conservation easements on highly productive farms meeting a rigorous set of criteria. The program pays for 50% of the value of development rights and requires a 50% match, 25% of which must be cash. Often landowners opt to donate remaining 25% of the easement value, and they can take a significant tax deduction for that gift. Using these dedicated private funds, ESLC will match County funds up to 12.5% of the conservation easement purchase price in order to make up the total 25% cash matching requirement. This small contribution of County funds would leverage 87.5% of the funds needed to purchase development rights on prime agricultural lands, bringing in $1.6 million for land protection in that county. In the recent past, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy has utilized these Federal dollars to protect highly productive farmland on the Marshyhope River and to assist local young farmers in purchasing

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January 1, 2009

Cambridge Waterfront 2020 Meetings

Cambridge Waterfront 2020 Cambridge - As part of the process to update its Comprehensive Plan, the City of Cambridge hosted a two day "Design Charrette" at Governor’s Hall at Sailwinds Park to help shape the future of the city’s waterfront. The program brought together approximately 60 waterfront property owners, city leaders and members of the general public: including representatives from the Richardson Maritime Museum, the Dorchester Historical Society, Sailwinds Park, Inc., Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Shore Health Systems, and the West End Citizens Association, among many others. The city was represented by the Mayor and Commissioners, as well as the Cambridge Economic Development Department, the Planning Office, and the Office of Housing and Community Development. A series of public meetings will continue the effort to obtain broad community input and to refine the vision discussed at the charrette. These meetings will be hosted throughout the first few months of 2009 at various locations. To date, three meetings have been scheduled: Tuesday, January 6th at 7pm, City Planning & Zoning Meeting at City Council Chambers Wed., January 14th at 7pm, Dorchester County Historical Society 902 LaGrange Avenue Thursday, January 15th at 7pm, Sojourner-Douglass College, 824 Fairmont Avenue Friday, January 23rd at 7pm, Victoria Gardens Inn 101 Oakley Street: hosted by WECA Monday, February 2nd at 7pm, Cambridge Main Street Board Meeting, location to be determined Residents are invited to attend to help create a unified plan designed by the community, to enhance the city and sustain its future economic growth. The focus area for the Charrette includes the shore along the Choptank River from Great Marsh Park, into Cambridge Creek and continuing on to the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort. Most of the participants’ discussions at the charrette centered on public access to the water, the mix of residential and commercial projects, and the linkages among the various waterfront

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500-acre Cordova Farm Protected Forever

Shore residents donate 235 acres to land preservation

ESLC and Partners Kick Off Speaker Series

ESLC Goes Greener with Energy Audit

ESLC Kicks Off Campaign to Keep Citizens Engaged in Dorchester Powerline Debate

Browning Creek Protected Forever

ESLC, MRDC Host Water Resources Workshop

ESLC Seeks Immediate Conservation Buyer for Cecil Farm

Oxford Family Leaves Bequest to ESLC

Cambridge Waterfront 2020 Meetings

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