The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced last week it will acquire a new wildlife management area in Queen Anne’s County on the upper Eastern Shore. The 1,172 acre property will support habitat conservation and outdoor recreation.
“This acquisition is an exciting win for both conservation advocates as well as outdoor enthusiasts,” Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “This large and incredibly beautiful property on the Upper Eastern Shore will protect ecologically-sensitive habitat while providing the public an excellent location for outdoor recreation, especially hunting or trapping.” Maryland Program Open Space funds are supporting the acquisition.
The Department collaborated with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy on the acquisition. “This farm has been one of our highest priorities for conservation for more than two decades,“ Conservancy President Rob Etgen said. “It includes a huge area of prime farmland, and the streams are the largest remaining chunk of unprotected habitat for several endangered wildlife species. I am incredibly excited about this farm and grateful to the Hogan Administration for their support and stewardship.”
Both the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy are active members of the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership.
