MET Easement Protects Endangered Species Habitat

The newly protected forestland

Fifty-three acres of forest in Talbot County, home of the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, are permanently protected from development, thanks to the Maryland Environment Trust (MET) and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy in partnership with the Talbot Preservation Alliance.

REMCO Properties, LLC, the landowner, ensured the protection of this forest for wildlife.

“We are delighted to work with our partners to protect this critical piece of habitat,” said John Turgeon, Acting Director for Maryland Environmental Trust.

Forest interior dwelling bird species also make their home in this block of forests, but their populations are dwindling. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classified this property as having high conservation value because of its status as a habitat for the Delmarva fox squirrel.

The property consists of mature mixed pine and hardwood forest with an open understory. It is located adjacent to Waterside Village shopping center and was originally part of the parcel that was developed into the shopping center.

The Alliance secured the right to establish the 53-acre conservation easement through negotiations with REMCO when the site first was in development in 2005. MET and the Conservancy then agreed to work with REMCO to hold the easement, forever protecting the vital woodland habitat.

“The Talbot Preservation Alliance greatly appreciates the opportunity to partner with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Maryland Environmental Trust to ensure that, regardless of future political winds, there will be no further commercial creep beyond the current limits of Waterside Village,” said Tom Alspach, president of the Talbot Preservation Alliance.

Governed by a citizen board of trustees, MET is affiliated with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and currently holds more than 1,070 easements totaling around 133,000 acres in Maryland. For more information, visit dnr.maryland.gov/met.