How land conservation protects our water
It can be easy to take water for granted, especially in a place where it seems like we could never run out. But the truth is—we can. On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, our drinking water does not come from the rivers we see every day—it originates below ground in aquifers. Those aquifers are limited. Sprawl, droughts, pollution, and saltwater intrusion threaten both the quality and quantity of our clean water. But conserving land can help to protect the water we all share. Responsible wastewater treatment paired with sustainable development can protect it even further.
Thanks to generous funding from the Wallace Research Foundation, ESLC is excited to share two new conservation explainer videos about aquifers and wastewater treatment! Each about one minute long, these quick videos are a great resource for residents, students, local leaders, and professionals who want to better understand the water we use every single day.
ESLC 2025 Annual Report
The 2025 fiscal year has been a busy one for ESLC. From state-level conservation funding advocacy to groundbreaking restoration projects, ESLC continues to pioneer new tools and approaches, all while maintaining a steadfast program of conservation easements and annual stewardship.
What's in that Field?
Although the Eastern Shore constitutes only 37% of Maryland’s land mass, it produces 74% of all Maryland agricultural sales. And every day residents and visitors of the Eastern Shore drive past countless farm fields wondering what’s blooming, what’s being harvested, and what’s being planted. This year, ESLC is helping to dispel some of those mysteries with the help of local farmers. From multi-species cover crops to crimson clover, barley, wheat, and more, join along to learn more about the Eastern Shore’s productive and ever-changing landscape.
Economic Report: Natural Resources Conservation on the Delmarva Peninsula
ESLC and the Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network (DRCN) released an expansive report showing the economic impact of natural resources conservation on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the entire Delmarva Peninsula. Conducted by Sage Policy Group, the report is titled, “Natural Resources Conservation on the Delmarva Peninsula,” and draws on input data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and state and local government financial documents to model critical impacts. The study includes data, several case studies, and community spotlights that highlight the voices of the Eastern Shore through the perspectives of local business owners and community members benefitting from ongoing environmental conservation.
Value Per Acre Land Use Data
In 2024, ESLC partnered with Urban3 to study land use patterns across eight counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Their analysis uses a “value per acre” measurement, which contrasts public investment in infrastructure and services with property tax revenues. Urban3 resources, data, and modeling maps will be made available here for the use of local leaders and community members.