Nearly 2,900 acres in Kent County protected forever
Donated easement protects important waterfront, farmland and wooded areas
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy announced today that nearly 2,900 acres of Kent County farmland and waterfront have been protected forever from development, thanks to a donated conservation easement. The easement on the Andelot property near Worton – which features 1,087 acres of woodland, 9.2 miles of waterfront and 1,692 acres of tillable ground – will be jointly held by Eastern Shore Conservancy (ESLC) and the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET). Of the 2,894.2 acres, 1,303 acres are located in the Critical Area. Current zoning would allow for 175 residences to be built on the property so this easement – which allows a maximum of 14 residences – reduces the property’s development potential by 92%. The forest also supports FIDS (Forest Interior Dwelling Species) – a diverse population of bird species that need large forest areas to breed successfully and maintain viable populations. FIDS include songbirds, warblers, woodpeckers, hawks and owls.
This easement was originally approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works in 1991 as a bequest – which would take effect upon the landowner’s passing. Today’s approval by the state makes the easement effective immediately.
Located partially in the Sassafras Rural Legacy Focus Area, Andelot is considered a high priority project because of its size, location, amount of waterfront and the presence of rare, threatened or endangered species. There are five known bald eagle nests on the property as well as Delmarva fox squirrel. In addition to nearly 1,700 tillable acres and 1,087 acres of woodland, this property also boasts scenic public views of the Chesapeake Bay, Worton Creek, Tims Creek, Still Pond and Churn Creek. It is located adjacent to several other protected properties held in easement by ESLC and MET including the 632 acre Copeland-Biddle site. There are 3,577 acres of permanently protected lands within a mile of Andelot farm – creating a block of protected lands equaling over 6,400 acres.
“To be able to protect nearly 3,000 acres of beautiful Kent County farmland and waterfront is an remarkable thing – and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to put a donated easement on the amazing Andelot property,” said ESLC Executive Director Rob Etgen. “The generosity of the landowner demonstrates a true commitment to keeping Kent County’s rural beauty preserved forever.”