eastern shore maryland farmland conservation

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October 4, 2018

Pop Up event draws solid crowd for Shore Explorations exhibit

On Tuesday, October 4th, ESLC and UMCES Horn Point Laboratory co-hosted a pop up party at the Waterfowl Building in downtown Easton. The occasion - to highlight our organizations' current projects and new, museum-quality pieces that are currently featured in the Shore Explorations exhibit. Approximately 100 locals came through the doors between 5pm and 7pm, speaking with staff, viewing slideshows and exhibit materials. Free beverages and snacks were made available to party attendees. Many thanks to Shore Explorations creator Patrick Rogan, who created the exhibit in order to show the synergistic relationships between the cultural, historical, and scientific/environmental qualities that make the Eastern Shore a truly special place. Rogan also worked closely with Talbot County Public Schools, the Talbot Historical Society, and the Frederick Douglass Honor Society during his Bicentennial year. ESLC's new images and multimedia exhibit pieces will be on display at its 2018 Party to Preserve event, held on Saturday, October 27th at Chateau Bu-De in Chesapeake City, MD.

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December 8, 2017

232 acres in Talbot County permanently protected

The Maryland Environmental Trust, partnering with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, has permanently protected 232 acres of farm and forest land along Maryland Route 33, known as the Chesapeake Country Scenic Byway. Gannon Family LLC granted a conservation easement on what is locally called “Lee Haven Farm,” forever protecting the prime agricultural land and scenic views. The Board of Public Works approved the easement Dec. 6. “We are grateful to keep this land a productive part of the local economy and to protect the scenic view on the Eastern Shore,” Maryland Environmental Trust Director Bill Leahy said. The easement is located in Talbot County immediately outside the town of Easton. It consists of about 100 acres of farmland and 125 acres of forest. The southernmost portion of the property is along the headwaters of Dixon Creek. “We have placed conservation easements on other Talbot County properties and are pleased to have worked with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and Maryland Environmental Trust to preserve a large part of Lee Haven,” Greg Gannon, an owner of Gannon Family LLC, said. Gannon Family LLC donated the land for conservation. Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Conservation Easement Program Manager Jared Parks said the land currently is listed in Easton’s greenbelt. The forest section is habitat for the Delmarva fox squirrel, which is no longer endangered but is still a species of concern, and “it’s got a lot of great farm land,” Parks said. “It is a great easement and it is in an area that we want to see preserved as greenbelt, stay active in farming and open,” Parks said. Farming can still happen on the land, but under the easement no commercial, industrial or residential development is allowed, and that provision literally lasts forever and follows the land, not the owner. “That allows them to continue to own it, farm it, do

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November 30, 2017

Why Eastern Shore residents should care about saving the Historic Tax Credit

Caught up in the current effort to reform the federal tax code is a critical program that has completed nearly $25 million worth of rehabilitated historic buildings on Maryland’s Eastern Shore since 2002. The Federal Historic Tax Credit (HTC) is a 20% credit on the cost of rehabilitating a historic building and is a powerful and efficient tool for revitalizing our nation’s small towns and cities. For every $1 invested by the federal government, the program attracts nearly $4 in private investment. Better yet, for every $1 in credits, the program returns $1.20 to the federal treasury – actually yielding a profit for the government. The results have been stunning and have changed the outlook for many communities. On Maryland’s Eastern Shore the program has a long history of revitalizing communities while also saving important historic buildings. Since 2002, in Easton alone the program has incentivized the rehabilitation of $10 million worth of buildings – from main street shops to former industrial buildings. A perfect example is the McCord Laundry facility, home to the Eastern Shore Conservation Center – a mixed-use campus of nonprofit organizations, businesses, and apartments. In Cambridge, the program is supporting the rebirth of Race Street, providing critical equity to make the rehabilitation of the Hearn Hardware Building a reality. The formerly vacant and crumbling building will now host market rate apartments and first floor retail space; yet another positive outcome thanks to the Historic Tax Credit. Elsewhere in Cambridge, the Historic Tax Credit is incentivizing an ambitious and potentially catalytic project that will convert the vacant Phillips Packing Co.’s Factory F into a hub of commerce, industry, and education. Without the Historic Tax Credit and the New Market Tax Credit program, which is also seriously threatened, tackling difficult projects like this in rural communities would not be possible. Repeal of

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March 10, 2013

Eastern Shore Conservation Center

Learning and Growing in Conservation The Eastern Shore Conservation Center (ESCC) will transform an abandoned historic building and a neighboring fire-damaged historic building in Easton, Maryland, into a thriving hub of learning and collaboration for regional nonprofits. This green campus not only will be home to community-based and conservation nonprofits; it will be a place for community members to gather for classes and meetings, with open areas and conference rooms open for public use. Inspired by Millers Court and Union Mill in Baltimore, as well as other successful nonprofit projects, the Eastern Shore Conservation Center will create a working home and laboratory by cooperative effort of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and partner organizations and businesses concerned with land conservation, land use, environmental stewardship and education for children, adults, and professionals on the Delmarva Peninsula. 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 designed to have a catalytic effect on the South Washington Street corridor, where the renovation of these dilapidated buildings has the ability to reenergize an important connection between the northern and southern neighborhoods in Easton. What is now vacant and lifeless will be a vibrant hub of community, conservation and learning. It will bring approximately 50 jobs to downtown Easton and will serve as an example for conservationists, urban planning, community design and redevelopment experts of what can be done to retain healthy, walkable and economically sustainable rural towns. ESLC will relocate to the building, and nonprofit partners, including the Town Creek Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, are signing seven-year leases to be part of this collaborative environment. It will house public space for educational programming, forums, concerts and meetings about issues concerning Eastern Shore residents and organizations. It

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easton Tag

Pop Up event draws solid crowd for Shore Explorations exhibit

232 acres in Talbot County permanently protected

Why Eastern Shore residents should care about saving the Historic Tax Credit

Eastern Shore Conservation Center

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