Forest Legacy Program
Purpose: To identify and protect environmentally important forest lands that are threatened by present or future conversion to non-forest use.

Scope: The program is available only in areas identified in Maryland’s Forest Legacy Assessment of Need. These areas are located in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Cecil, Charles, Harford, Queen Anne’s and Worcester counties. A revision of the Assessment of Need is underway.

Description: The program is designed to identify and protect environmentally important forest lands through the use of perpetual conservation easements between willing sellers and willing buyers. Only private forest land in a Forest Legacy Area is eligible for the program. Landowners who are willing to sell their development rights are encouraged to apply during a sign-up period. At the end of a sign-up period, all applications will be evaluated and ranked. The highest ranked applications will enter the acquisition process. If negotiations produce acceptable easement terms, the easement will be acquired and recorded in the land records. If they do not produce acceptable terms, eminent domain will NOT be used. The number of parcels accepted for acquisition will depend on the funding available and the estimated value of the parcels selected.

Annual Accomplishments: Five easements covering 854 acres in Cecil County, one easement in Anne Arundel County on 297 acres, and one easement in Worcester County on 95 acres have been purchased.

Contact Person:
Your local DNR forester or Dan Rider

Maryland DNR Forest Service
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
410-260-8583
E-mail: drider@dnr.state.md.us

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

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