| American Chestnut Land Trust | |
| The Organization | |
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The American Chestnut Land Trust was founded in 1986 in Calvert County, Maryland. We are concerned with the preservation of farmland, woodlands, and wetlands in a county undergoing rapid development. Our primary interest has been the watersheds of Parkers Creek and Governors Run, however ACLT has assisted others in Calvert County to preserve land for future generations through partnerships, land management agreements, and environmental easements. American Chestnut Land Trust, Inc. was granted tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code on June 16, 1987. |
| Operations | |
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ACLT is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership and meets bi-monthly. ACLT has three, full-time paid staff positions that include the Executive Director, a Land Manager, and an Administrative Assistant/Volunteer Coordinator. Much of the work of ACLT is carried out by dedicated volunteers, both as individuals and through a well-organized committee structure. The major committees are: Administration/Fundraising, Land Acquisition/Preservation, Land Management, Outreach and Membership, and Budget and Finance. The corporation has an Annual Meeting of the membership each year to report on the business of the corporation and elect one third of the Board of Directors. Members have an opportunity to hear staff and committee chairs give highlights of the past year and ask questions about issues facing the organization. |
| Land Ownership and Management | |
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The corporation purchased its first two tracts of land totaling 441 acres in October 1987. The property was placed in an Agricultural Preservation District. Subsequently, we acquired title to the Russell (80 acres), Kenwood (80 acres), and Wallace (50 acres) properties. In 1995 we acquired Double Oak Farm, adding 137 acres followed by the 22-acre Commodore property bringing the property owned by ACLT to 810 acres.In our mission to encourage and assist others in land acquisition, we have accepted the role of land managers of the 235-acre former Jett property on the south side of Parkers Creek known as "Warriors Rest Sanctuary" which is owned by the state of Maryland, 36 acres by a conservation buyer on our behalf, and 1650 acres on the north side of Parkers Creek purchased by The Nature Conservancy and now owned by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The total lands owned and managed by ACLT in the Parkers Creek and Governors Run watersheds total 2,758 acres. In addition, over 1,100 additional acres have been permanently protected with conservation easements by private landowners. All 2,500 acres managed by ACLT are open to the public 365 days a year, free of charge, for environmental education, scientific research, and recreational hiking, birding, hunting, camping and canoeing. |
| Prince Frederick, Maryland February 2004 |
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