ESLC and the Prezioso family have permanently conserved more than 186 acres in Kent County along Lloyd Creek. The property includes 125 acres of agricultural land and 55 acres of forest, plus waterfowl impoundments, successional grasslands, and scenic road frontage. A 100-foot forested buffer provides riparian wildlife habitat, enhances habitat connectivity, and maintains air quality and water quality for surrounding communities, including protection of the farm’s 3,115 linear feet of shoreline along Lloyd Creek, a tributary of the Sassafras River. “Made possible through the Rural Legacy Program, which is funded through Maryland’s Program Open Space, this easement once again illustrates the essential wildlife conservation and public health benefits ultimately supported by Program Open Space funding,” commented ESLC President & CEO Steve Kline.

 

 

Purchased in 1992 as a hunting property by Fausto M. Prezioso, originally of Rome, Italy, the farm is now owned by siblings Andrea, Antonio, Elena, Franco, and Luigi Prezioso. In honor of the abundant woodlands encircling the property’s grain fields, the Preziosos named the farm “La Chiusa” meaning “an enclosure” or “a fenced field,” a fitting title for a farm now fortified by forest and easement alike.

“Having grown up on the Western Shore, the environment on the Eastern Shore has always been more tranquil and enjoyable,” said Luigi Prezioso. “As the world gets more fast-paced and chaotic, conservation ensures that the people who will need the tranquility and enjoyment even more will have access to it. Protecting wildlife, the environment, and farming are critical functions of our society.”

Frequented by ducks, geese, deer, turkeys, eagles, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, ground hogs, opossums, skunks, and more, the farm also provides critical habitat for forest interior dwelling species of birds (FIDS) and may shelter state-rare Spongy Arrowhead and rare intertidal plants within a unique Eastern Hemlock-Hardwood forest.

“Part of our farm is along Lloyd Creek, with a beautiful view out to the Sassafras River,” reflected Prezioso. “For the most part, that view hasn’t changed since people first saw it. It is nice to know that we are conserving the farm, and that same view, for future generations.”