Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Chestertown to Install Pinch Points at Intersection for Pedestrian Safety

October 13, 2021 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy 1 Comment

On Thursday, October 14th the Town of Chestertown, in partnership with Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), will install traffic-calming infrastructure at the intersection of High St and Water St. The design is meant to ‘pinch’ the intersection to allow more space for pedestrians, giving them greater visibility and protection from oncoming traffic, and to slow vehicles on their approach.

The pinch point design for this installation was created through outreach and engagement with residents and has been tested on four separate occasions in August and September. The installation will not remove any parking and has proven to not prohibit any vehicles currently permitted to move safely through the intersection.

“The intersection of High and Water St is a cross roads for residents and visitors of Chestertown to reach the Chester River and Wilmer Park. But the intersection can be dangerous and inaccessible for families and wheelchair users,” said Owen Wilson, Towns Project Manager at ESLC. “We hope to improve the safety of this intersection so it is safer and more accessible for everyone.” In July, Bailey spoke with the Chestertown Spy regarding this project; video of discussion can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XbjjMUsPzk&ab_channel=SpyNewspapersofMaryland

The intersection pinch point will be constructed initially as a Demonstration Project, which is a temporary installation using materials that allow the structure to be adjusted and altered based on feedback, observations, and data. If the design proves to have the desired effect, it can be made more permanent in a structure that will fit the aesthetic of the neighborhood. Funding for this project came from private donations from residents.

For more information about the project, please contact Owen Bailey at obailey@eslc.org.

About the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a private, nonprofit land conservation organization committed to preserving and sustaining the vibrant communities of the Eastern Shore and the lands and waters that connect them. For more information please visit www.eslc.org.

ESLC Hires new Policy Manager

May 5, 2021 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Leave a Comment

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Sara Ramotnik as their new Policy Manager. Sara replaces Josh Hastings who has gone on to become Program and Policy Director for Forever Maryland.

Sara comes to ESLC from the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership where she worked on policy development and stakeholder input on key conservation legislation. Sara graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy. Sara also served as an agricultural nonpoint source pollution intern at the Chesapeake Bay Program Office.

According to ESLC President Rob Etgen, “we are thrilled to have Sara join our team. She has terrific experience with partners and legislation that are key parts of our future, and brings the energy and enthusiasm needed to take on big challenges like our Delmarva Oasis – an effort to protect half of the peninsula by 2030.”

ESLC Presents Solutions For A Changing Delmarva

January 9, 2021 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Leave a Comment

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is excited to unveil Solutions for a Changing Delmarva, a four-part virtual workshop series designed to inform and engage the Delmarva community about climate issues that impact the region. The workshops will feature presentations from environmental experts who will provide different views and ideas about community-driven solutions to protect the environment, and the value those solutions create for citizens and the places where they live. The content of the workshops will cover areas that are at the core of ESLC’s Delmarva Oasis initiative which seeks to permanently protect 50% of the Delmarva Peninsula’s landscape from development and natural threats, while increasing public access to open space and waterways, and enhancing the quality of life of people and species across the region.

The purpose of this project is to directly engage public and private audiences in order to build regional public support for climate adaptation solutions. The Eastern Shore of Maryland is the country’s third most vulnerable region to sea level rise, behind south Florida and Louisiana. Because of the threats of increased flooding, the loss of properties, and widespread ecological impacts, ESLC is working with communities to take action on these threats today.

The first workshop, An Introduction to a Changing Delmarva, will inform participants about the importance of protecting the Shore’s venerable environments and provide a high-level overview of the environmental impacts sea level rise will cause in our communities.

The second workshop, Carbon Sequestration on Delmarva, will explore how protecting forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands can improve the land’s ability to store carbon.

The third workshop, Natural Solutions to Protect Our Communities, will discuss how nature-based solutions can protect Delmarva communities while improving local ecosystems.

The final workshop, How You Can Make An Impact In Your Community, will provide Delmarva residents with tools to combat climate change and build resilience in their communities.

Each workshop will be followed by an engagement activity that is designed to establish a personal connection to each topic. Each activity will be broadcasted over social media channels in the hope that ESLC can provide school and college aged students, teachers, and Delmarva residents with fun opportunities to learn how sea level rise and climate change affects their community. ESLC will award prizes to the most unique and well-thought-out projects.

This entire series is free to the public thanks to our partners at the Rauch Foundation.

The workshop series will kick off on January 12^th at 6:00 pm. Visit www.eslc.org/events/ to register.

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit land conservation organization committed to preserving and sustaining the vibrant communities of the Eastern Shore and the lands and waters that connect them. More at www.eslc.org.

441 Acres Preserved in Cecil County for Addiction Recovery

September 19, 2020 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is pleased to announce closing on a new conservation easement! The easement, completed in partnership with the U.S. Army and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR), protects 441 acres of agricultural land and critical species habitat with scenic value, off Back Creek and McGill Creek in Cecil County.

A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust, which protects a property’s agricultural viability, natural habitat, rural heritage, and/or scenic open space in perpetuity.

Aerial of RCA Building

The newly preserved property is the Bracebridge Hall location for Recovery Centers of America (RCA), whose mission is to save 1 million lives from the disease of addiction using evidence-based practices and clinical expertise to deliver quality patient care tailored to individual patients’ needs. The property is 530 acres in total, with 89 acres of unprotected land to allow for the expansion of Bracebridge Hall’s buildings as necessary for operations.

“We are thrilled to partner with ESLC and want to be good stewards of the natural landscape that makes Recovery Centers of America Bracebridge Hall such a unique environment for treating substance use disorder,” said Michael Ogden, Bracebridge Hall CEO. “Our patients are able to commune with nature right on the property and this ability to step outside and appreciate the beauty of the natural landscape without drugs or alcohol can be an important tool for reeestablishing the benefits of a meaningful life in long term recovery.”

This easement brings ESLC’s total to 303across 65,052acres on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and it is one of the Conservancy’s most unique easements based on its use beyond agriculture.

Over the course of 30 years, ESLC has actively worked with thousands of farms, families and community members to protect and enhance the Eastern Shore’s working agricultural landscape. Cecil County has had several big conservation wins – and this is surely one to celebrate.

“Conservation of Bracebridge Hall has been a huge priority for well over a decade,” said ESLC President Rob Etgen. “When this beautiful property was subdivided into over 100 lots potentially destroying the farm soils and habitat, the community partnered with ESLC to strive for a better future. With Recovery Centers of America, a positive steward for the land has been found and a permanent conservation easement will ensure that stewardship lasts into perpetuity. Many thanks to RCA for your commitment to conservation, and congratulations to the community for your long vigilance!”

This project was made possible thanks to financial support from Maryland Department of Resources’ Rural Legacy Program and the U.S. Army’s Compatible Use Buffer Program.

Waterfront View

The Rural Legacy Program was created in 1997 to protect large, contiguous tracts of Maryland’s most precious cultural and natural resource lands (often referred to as “the best of what’s left”) through grants made to local applicants

The U.S. Army’s Compatible Use Buffer Program works with conservation-focused partners to preserve high-value habitat and limit incompatible development in the vicinity of military installations.

ESLC Land Program Manager, David Satterfield said, “Our staff is grateful to DNR and the Army for their dedication to this project. Their support and hard work was instrumental in helping us realize this long-term protection goal. Even more so, we applaud Recovery Centers of America for their dedication to conservation. Our staff looks forward to working with them, in perpetuity, to protect this important resource and hope that it helps guide many of their clients to a healthy future.”

For more information, contact Land Program Manager, David Satterfield, atdstatterfield@eslc.org, or visit www.eslc.org.

About Recovery Centers of America

RCA provides substance use disorder treatment in MD, PA, NJ, MA, and IL. Patients can obtain immediate care by calling 1-800-Recovery.Four Recovery Centers of America treatment facilities, were recently named as 2020 best U.S. treatment facilities that focus on addiction by Newsweek Magazine, including RCA at Bracebridge Hall and RCA Capital Region, both located in Maryland.

About the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

ESLC Releases Report on Climate Change & Severe Rainfall Impacts

February 4, 2020 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

There is a broad trend of heavier, more frequent rainfall across the county with significant impact on communities. Maryland’s Eastern Shore is one of the most vulnerable regions to the impacts of these events, and a study released by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) finds that communities should expect the trend to continue in the coming decades.

The study can be accessed at www.eslc.org/people.

“We are very excited for the release of the extreme precipitation study,” says Jim Bass, ESLC’s Coastal Resilience Program Manager. “The Eastern Shore is going to be living with a lot more water in the future – both from sea level rise and from increased rainfall. This report helps us plan for those future conditions and be informed about the increased risk of flooding.”

Titled “Preparing for Increases in Extreme Precipitation Events in Local Planning and Policy on Maryland’s Eastern Shore” the study assists local governments in planning for the impacts of “extreme precipitation” or abnormally high rainfall on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The study was written on behalf of Eastern Shore Climate Adaptation Partnership (ESCAP) – a regional workgroup of local government staff, partners from the State of Maryland, academic institutions, and nonprofits. The ESCAP assists communities in reducing climate vulnerabilities and risks; collects and shares information among communities and decision makers; and educates members, residents, and elected leaders on risks and adaptation strategies. It also serves to raise the visibility and voice of the Eastern Shore and rural regions in conversations about adaptation and resilience.

Research for this project was conducted by scientists at the University of Maryland. Dr. Kaye Brubaker, director of the Maryland Water Resources Research Center, led a team who analyzed multiple climate projections for our region to develop a detailed look at how more precipitation will fall faster and more regularly in the future. ESLC also developed policy recommendations for local governments to adopt in their planning and legislative processes which will help mitigate flooding and manage increased stormwater volume.

Other golden nuggets from the report include location trends which demonstrate intensifying rainfall most significantly in the southern part of the Eastern Shore region, recommendations on stormwater infrastructure upgrades, and the fact that this report applies to multiple sectors including stormwater, agriculture, transportation, public safety, and environment/water quality.

“The results of this report show that climate change is bringing more rain to the Eastern Shore. We also know that sea levels will be roughly two feet higher by 2050 and six feet higher by 2100. Taken together, increased precipitation plus sea level rise means a significant increase in future flood risk across the region. It is imperative that we take steps today to mitigate and adapt to the flood risks projected for the future,” says Jim Bass.

For speaking opportunities, interviews, copies of the report, or more info about this study, ESCAP or ESLC’s coastal resilience program, please contact ESLC Coastal Resilience Program Manager, Jim Bass at jbass@eslc.org or 410.690.4603 x156

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit land conservation organization committed to preserving and sustaining the vibrant communities of the Eastern Shore and the lands and waters that connect them. More at www.eslc.org.

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Chestertown Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

ESLC Releases Statement on a New Auto-Oriented Chesapeake Bay Bridge Crossing

August 29, 2019 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

In light of the recent announcement by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is releasing its revised position statement emphasizing the importance of transportation demand management strategies to mitigate traffic congestion impacts.

ESLC Statement on a New Auto-oriented Chesapeake Bay Bridge Crossing:

Instead of a new auto-oriented Chesapeake Bay Bridge crossing, ESLC strongly supports the research and implementation of a suite of aggressive corridor management strategies to travel across the current Chesapeake Bay Bridge spans.

Based on ESLC’s Annual Planning Conference “Congestion Ahead: Rerouting…” which took place in April and convened industry leaders and stakeholders, we believe the following mitigation efforts can have an immediate impact this year:

Corridor Management Suggestions:

– Real-time monitoring and management

– Additional contra flow lanes

– Increased commuter bus and regional public transit ridership

– Off-peak toll reductions

– High speed tolling

– Explore the feasibility of:

1. Commuter rideshare apps and incentives for high occupancy vehicles

2. Robust congestion predictors

3. Bay crossing reservation systems

4. Ocean City rideshare apps

Like our neighbors, ESLC supports a thriving economy in the counties and towns of the Eastern Shore. With this economic prosperity, the current Bay Bridge spans have led to intense housing sprawl and thousands of acres of habitat, farmland, and sensitive landscapes being permanently lost to development, on the Eastern Shore. While costing Maryland residents billions of dollars a new bridge crossing would dramatically degrade the working landscapes, ecological balance, and overall rural character of the region.

With an emphasis on aggressive corridor management, ESLC calls for a more future-oriented, people-centric approach to transportation planning. These approaches could be more cost-effective and environmentally-sensitive – specifically ones that: 1) makes the most out of the existing infrastructure; 2) encourages transformational improvements in transit and travel demand; and 3) considers the future consequences of new transportation investment on the communities, landscape, and climate vulnerabilities of the Eastern Shore.

For more options, check out: Where are the Eastern Shore’s Roads Taking Us? An Exploration of Cross-Bay Travel Demand Management and Regional Transportation-Land Use Solutions (2009).

191 Acres of Farmland Conserved in Kent County

August 1, 2019 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is excited to announce closing on a new conservation easement in Kent County. The easement, completed in conjunction with the U.S. Army and the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), protects an additional 191.668 acres of agricultural land with scenic value along MD-297 (Worton Road).

The grantors, Ed and Marian Fry, have now protected more than 750 acres of agricultural land via three conservation easements for their family-owned and operated Fair Hill Farm, an innovative dairy operation. When asked about their experience protecting their farm, Marian stated “we are so pleased to work with the Trust and the Conservancy to protect our farm, and delighted that these two organizations are working together to protect land in Kent County”.

This easement is number 296 for ESLC, which is on track to close its 300^th by the end of the calendar year.

Ed and Marian’s dedication to preserving and enhancing farmland, as well as to innovative, sustainable farm practices, is a prime example of conservation at work on the Eastern Shore. Eastern Shore Land Conservancy would like to thank the U.S. Army’s Compatible Use Buffer Program, which provided financial support for the completion of this project.

Smokestack Repair Begins at Last Remaining Phillips Packing Co. Factory

July 1, 2019 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

On Monday, June 24, Structural Preservation Systems began long-awaited renovations to the two street-facing smokestacks of the former Phillips Packing Company’s ‘Factory F’ – the most visible reminder of the canning operation that once employed thousands in Cambridge. Soon to be known as The Packing House, this 60,000 square foot warehouse has sat vacant and deteriorating for decades.

A revitalization project spearheaded by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) and Baltimore’s Cross Street Partners, The Packing House will become an active, mixed use facility for office and food related innovation. The revitalization project aims to support and grow regional economic opportunities connected to agriculture, aquaculture, environmental technologies, and tourism – all of which make up the leading industries of the Eastern Shore.

“We are elated to share the start of the smokestack restoration,” shares ESLC’s Katie Parks. “Through funding support from the Department of Housing and Community Development, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Cross Street Partners, and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, the long-awaited restoration ensures that this historic viewshed will be preserved.”

The repair and stabilization of the iconic 90’ smokestacks, scheduled to take approximately 80 days to complete, is “Phase 1” of the renovation project. Due to the fragile condition of the smokestacks, the project’s development team selected Structural Preservation Systems to complete the restoration – a firm recognized as the industry leader in developing innovative repair solutions for historical structures and the most challenging problems.

To remain up to date with the progress of The Packing House revitalization project, or for more information about the Phillips Packing Company and its historical significance within the Cambridge community, please visit thepackinghousecambridge.com.

NOTE: Due to safety concerns please stay outside of the marked area. There will be a future press conference scheduled. In the meantime, do not hesitate to send any questions to the contacts above.

ForeFront Power and ESLC Announce Partnership to Expand Renewable Energy

June 13, 2019 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

In the spirit of forming community partnerships that support local initiatives – while also spreading the benefits of renewable energy to local residents – Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) is excited to announce a new partnership with solar energy provider ForeFront Power. In the partnership, ForeFront will donate $100 towards the organization’s programs and initiatives for each new Community Solar subscriber obtained via ESLC’s network of constituents.

You can reserve your spot in one of ForeFront Power’s Community Solar farms by following the link below to review the various plans available to you. To ensure that your subscription benefits ESLC, just use the code ESLC100 during the formal enrollment process to ensure that your impact is achieved. ForeFront will then follow up with more details on next steps and what to expect.

Community solar projects give local energy consumers access to solar energy generated on smaller land footprints. For example, ForeFront Power’s Community Solar projects range from 12 to 22 acres.

Eastern Shore residents across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia are acutely aware that the region is the third most vulnerable to sea-level rise in the nation, according to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Community Solar subscribers will be doing their part in supporting renewable energy adoption (while saving money) on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Currently, approximately half of U.S. households are unable to install rooftop solar due to space, lack of sun exposure or ownership limitations, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Community Solar gives these households – including those who rent – an easy way to benefit from solar without installing or maintaining any equipment.

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC), founded in 1990, is working to educate residents on these impacts while continuing their mission to protect farmland and natural areas. Through these efforts, ESLC has protected nearly 65,000 acres of the Eastern Shore’s important natural habitat areas and prime farmland through easements on more than 310 properties.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to ForeFront via email at MDCustomerCare@forefrontpower.com or by phone at (410) 442-6127.

Celebrate the Land with Music and More at LANDJAM!

May 29, 2019 by Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Want to get outside? Here it is – a fun and festive family-friendly event held on the permanently preserved Leigh Family Farm in Betterton, MD. Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s (ESLC) event aims to get anyone who loves the outdoors to join them on this Kent County waterfront property, complete with hiking trails, live music, birding walks, and views of the Chesapeake Bay.

LANDJAM will take place on Saturday, June 1st from 1 – 5pm. Tickets are priced for everyone to join in the fun – $25 for a family (up to 5), or $10 for an individual. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time online at www.eslc.org/events. The event is rain or shine.

To help celebrate a beautiful day on the farm, guests will be treated to live music by two of the Shore’s finest bands – the toe-tapping hillbilly boogie of The High and Wides; and the funk, jam rock, and soulful blues of Black Dog Alley. This celebration of the land will offer local foods, drinks, and wares, available for purchase from a variety of vendors marketing the bounties of their craft.

Fans of craft beer will enjoy Dogfishhead Brewing and Patriot Acres brews, while a selection of wines from Crow Vineyard will also be available for sale.

Many activities for land-lovers, such as guided birding walks, educational activities, truck tours of the farm, games, and much more will be offered to enhance appreciation of conservation, restoration, and ecology.

Sections

More