Protecting Rural Character and Creating Sustainable Communities

The future of Eastern Shore communities relies on smart land use policies that protect our farmland and farming economy from poorly planned development, prepares coastlines for rising seas and marsh migration, and connects our communities through a dynamic park and trail system.

This synergistic mix of business, open green space, and well-thought out development enables our rural towns to thrive.none

Since its founding in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy has realized a variety of projects that serve the mission of improving quality of life on the Eastern Shore through conservation. Our experience and expertise allows us to provide a toolbox of options and services to the Eastern Shore community that will benefit generations to come.

Read below for more information on current town projects in the Eastern Shore region, ESLC’s completed projects, and ways that you can make a difference for the community.

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Current Projects

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is currently working on two town project initiatives in the Eastern Shore region, both located in Cambridge, Maryland. You can read about each of these below.

2022-2023 Gubernatorial Conservation Action Plan

As stakeholders in the Eastern Shore community, our staff has been crafting our Maryland Gubernatorial Conservation Action Plan since July to present to the winner of November’s gubernatorial election. Regardless of who takes office, our goal is to ensure that statewide leadership is as informed as possible about the various threats facing the Eastern Shore and what must be prioritized for the health of the region.

Eastern Shore Regional Trail Vision

Trails bring an immense amount of value to any community in the connections they create and the opportunities they foster. With the release of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s map of off-road protected trails, we have to grapple with the fact that the Eastern Shore is trailing behind many of its neighbors in regards to trail planning and development. Now is the time for a broader discussion on an Eastern Shore Trail Network and a Coalition to get things moving.

Cannery Park

Adjacent to the Phillips Building is the future site of Cannery Park – a new, 7-acre ‘central park’ for the City of Cambridge that will incorporate active and passive spaces for recreation.

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Past Projects

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy has realized a variety of projects that serve the mission of improving quality of life on the Eastern Shore through conservation. These projects include:

Canton Farm Park

ESLC helped secure, protect, and finance 80 acres for a passive nature park in downtown St. Michaels, MD. (2002)

Bloomfield Farm Park

Facilitated the acquisition of land for a recreational park by Queen Anne’s County that now includes ball fields, walking paths, and wildlife habitat areas. (2005)

Chestertown Gateway

In partnership with Chestertown and Kent County, ESLC led a community-wide visioning and design process that now guides future development decisions on the future growth edge of Chestertown. (2007)

East End Neighborhood Community Garden

Helped the Town of Easton acquire and transform a crime-vulnerable vacant lot into a place of community and locally grown food. (2009)

Easton Point Park

ESLC led a series of community visioning sessions to guide the design process for new waterfront park, located at Easton’s only public water access point. (2012)

Friendship Park

Led a community visioning process resulting in 11 acres for a new park in East New Market. (2012)

Cambridge Gateway

Working with the City of Cambridge, ESLC developed designs for a “Green and Complete” street on Maryland Avenue. Outcomes included accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians, improved stormwater management, reuse of vacant property, new trees, and more attractive directional signs. (2013)

Philips Wharf Environmental Center

In support of the PWEC vision, ESLC helped negotiate a contract and develop schematic designs that converted the Oyster House into an environmental education center. (2013)

Eastern Shore Conservation Center

Purchased an abandoned 60,000 sq ft laundry facility in downtown Easton and converted it into a LEED certified mixed-use campus, including ESLC headquarters and available office space for partner organizations, small business, and apartment units. (2014)

The Packing House

Cross Street Partners, in partnership with ESLC, re-purposed the historic Phillips Packing Company, Factory F in Cambridge, Maryland. Building on the Eastern Shore’s deep tradition of agricultural and fishing assets, the 60,000 square foot historic Phillips Packing House Building now houses a synergistic mix of tech and creative entrepreneurs, food production and food related retail/eateries, as well as a two-story atrium space for continuous public programs and private events. (2021)

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How Can We Help?

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy provides technical support and education with a focus on developing a dream for a town’s future. Contact us for more information about what we can do for you.

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Make a Contribution Today

You can make a financial contribution large or small through our website. The process is easy, straightforward, and secure. Your donation supports the mission of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and makes a difference by improving the long-term quality of life in the Eastern Shore community.