American Chestnut Land Trust

a land conservancy

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    • Ways to Support ACLT
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    • Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance
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      • Friends of Hunting Creek
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Connecting People to the Land

Since its inception in 1986, ACLT has been providing environmentally sustainable public access to managed properties for educational, scientific, recreational, and cultural purposes. ACLT's 26 miles of trails crisscross creeks and streams and meander through wildlands and a variety of forest types, offering the visitor an opportunity to witness wildlife in its natural environment. ACLT and its partners have preserved over 4800 acres of land in the Parkers Creek and Governors Run watersheds. ACLT promotes land conservation and preservation throughout Southern Maryland. Guided hikes, canoe trips, and events are offered throughout the year. ACLT also manages a small farm that uses regenerative practices to raise produce that is donated to the local food pantry.

Happening at ACLT

Plan Your Visit

Guided Canoe Trips

Guided Hikes

Trail Conditions

Complete Trail Map (pdf)-Updated 2024

Calendar of Events

Read Our Latest Newsletter

ACLT's Blog

Trail Conditions

North Side Trailhead:
All trails open.

South Side Trailhead:
All trails open.

PF2Bay Trail: 
Open.

Trail Map

Explore the Land

explore-the-land-2Enjoy guided canoe trips & 26 miles of trails

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Care for the Land

care-for-the-landHelp the land, the wildlife & the mission

 VOLUNTEER

Farm the Land

farm-the-landDonating earth-friendly produce to food pantries

 DOUBLE OAK FARM

Calendar of Events

ACLT has lots of fun events planned for 2025!

Click here to view the full Calendar of Events.

RECENT BLOG POSTS

  • Remembering Executive Director Greg Bowen
  • Reflections from the 2025 “Taking Nature Black” Conference
  • Spring’s Ephemeral Invaders
  • OSPREYS – “FISH HAWKS” EXTRAORDINAIRE!
  • Cedar Waxwings – Mother Nature’s Berry Recyclers

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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT updated their profile picture.

7 hours ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
WE ARE CLOSE TO OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL OF $1,500 BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP! Click this link to make a donation here: https://bit.ly/DragonBoatRace-ACLTDETAILS: ACLT will have a team in this year’s North Beach Dragon Boat Festival to End Hunger on June 14th to raise money for End Hunger In Calvert County and to introduce ACLT to residents and event attendees in the North Beach area who may not have heard about us. The End Hunger organization supports the food insecure in our community similar to the way Double Oak Farm raises and donates food to the local food pantry.PLEASE SHARE!! Help us introduce ACLT to a new audience while helping End Hunger Calvert at the same time. ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT is at Historic Sotterley.

2 days ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
☀️Visit us today at the American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT tent during the Southern Maryland Heritage Festival, held at Historic Sotterley. It's a beautiful day!☀️ ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT

2 days ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
☀️Visit us today at the American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT tent during the Southern Maryland Heritage Festival, held at Historic Sotterley. It's a beautiful day!☀️ ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT is at American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT.

4 days ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
ACLT's Guided Night Hike on May 10th was a huge success! Thanks to all the hikers who braved the dark forest with us! 🌕 🦉 🥾We hope to see you on the next Mountain Laurel Guided Hike on Thursday, May 29th @ 6:30pm (Laurel Trail) Register for this hike here: https://form.jotform.com/250214032645142(photo credit: Gerry Walles, Jen Ludlow) ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT

5 days ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
Exciting News! ACLT will have a team in this year’s North Beach Dragon Boat Festival to End Hunger to raise money for End Hunger and to introduce ACLT to residents and event attendees in the North Beach area who may not have heard about us. End Hunger In Calvert County supports the food insecure in our community similar to the way Double Oak Farm raises and donates food to the local food pantry.Each team must raise at least $1,500. Would you be willing to donate and help us reach our fundraising goal?If so, you can visit our page and make a donation here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2025ehdragonboatfestival/team/989227/. PLEASE SHARE!! Help us introduce ACLT to a new audience while helping End Hunger Calvert at the same time.Below is a highlight video from last year's race. Come cheer us on! June 14th from 9am to 2pm.https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15q63T12Hf/ ... See MoreSee Less

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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT is at American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT.

1 week ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
🐢‼️TURTLE CROSSING TUESDAY‼️🐢Eastern Box Turtles, like the ones you see here, are very active during and after rain storms because it brings out an abundance of food sources like worms, insects & invertebrates. Please watch carefully for turtles crossing the road on rainy days like today! An ACLT staff member spotted 5 turtles on Double Oak Rd this morning!! 😱(Photo credit: Jen Ludlow) ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT is with End Hunger In Calvert County.

2 weeks ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
Exciting News! ACLT is participating in this year’s North Beach Dragon Boat Race to raise money for End Hunger Calvert and to introduce ACLT to residents and event attendees in the North Beach area who may not have heard about us. End Hunger Calvert supports the food insecure in our community similar to the way Double Oak Farm raises and donates food to the local food pantry.Each team must raise at least $1,500. We're looking for ACLT supporters willing to donate and help us reach our fundraising goal.If you’d like to help us reach our goal, you can visit our page and make a donation here: https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2025ehdragonboatfestival/team/989227/ You can also leave a message for us about why you decided to donate – We'd love to hear from you!PLEASE SHARE! Please share this post If you can think of others who might be interested in making a donation. End Hunger Calvert is a great organization and you’d be helping them (and ACLT!) by spreading the word. Thank you so much for helping us reach our goal, and for supporting End Hunger Calvert and ACLT. We couldn’t do it without you! ... See MoreSee Less

2025 Dragon Boat Festival

secure.qgiv.com

Join us for a day of Dragon Boat racing in the charming town of North Beach. This festival is an amazing family friendly event that brings our community together as we race to end hunger in Southern M...
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT updated their cover photo.

2 weeks ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
Our next on-site event is the Sip & Save on September 6th, but in the meantime our volunteers will be representing ACLT at SEVEN off-site events! STOP BY AND SAY HI!See full list schedule: https://www.acltweb.org/index.php/calendar-of-events/More Info on Individual Events:So.Md. Heritage Festival at Sotterley: https://sotterley.org/somd-heritage/College of So.Md. LaPlata Campus Naturefest: https://www.neighborhoodcreativeartscenter.org/nature-FestChildren's Day on the Farm at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: https://www.facebook.com/events/2418134348526762/?Patuxent River Wade-in at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HzS7mz24e/Calvert NAACP Juneteenth Celebration at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BG5rRV9Mq/End Hunger Dragon Boat Festival-North Beach https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2025ehdragonboatfestival/team/989227/Insectival at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FUnxEMQ2N/So.Md Sunflower Festival at Serenity Farms by the Farm Heritage Conservancy (not yet posted ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT updated their cover photo.

2 weeks ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
Our next on-site event is the Sip & Save on September 6th, but in the meantime our volunteers will be representing ACLT at SEVEN off-site events! STOP BY AND SAY HI!See full list schedule: https://www.acltweb.org/index.php/calendar-of-events/More Info on Individual Events:So.Md. Heritage Festival at Sotterley: https://sotterley.org/somd-heritage/College of So.Md. LaPlata Campus Naturefest: https://www.neighborhoodcreativeartscenter.org/nature-Fest Children's Day on the Farm at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: https://www.facebook.com/events/2418134348526762/?Patuxent River Wade-in at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HzS7mz24e/Calvert NAACP Juneteenth Celebration at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BG5rRV9Mq/Insectival at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FUnxEMQ2N/So.Md Sunflower Festival at Serenity Farms by the Farm Heritage Conservancy (not yet posted) ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT

2 weeks ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
ACLT will be attending the Southern Maryland Heritage Festival on Sunday, May 18th - be sure to stop by our tent to learn about our Parkers Creek Heritage Trail project! https://www.acltweb.org/index.php/parkers-creek-heritage-trail/ ... See MoreSee Less

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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT

2 weeks ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
ACLT would like to remind the public that ATVs and dirt bikes are not permitted on any ACLT property or trails.Hikers - if you see ATVs or dirt bikes on the trails, please call the Sheriff’s office at the time of activity and give them the location (i.e. - coordinates, name of trail, drop a pin)Calvert Co. Sheriff’s Office non-emergency: (410)535-2800/ (301)855-1194 ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT

3 weeks ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
We are happy to announce our recent accreditation renewal with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission!Hear about all the great things ACLT achieved last year and our goals for this year at our Annual Meeting tomorrow, Saturday, May 3rd at Truth Bible Church-Calvert @ 9:30am. Go to www.acltweb.org for more info!🌦☔️ April showers bring May flowers 🌱🌷🪻and the latest round of accreditation decisions 📨 Join us in congratulating the 29 land trusts who recently achieved renewal! 🎉Want to join in the celebration? Leave a message of, "job well done!" on our Facebook celebration posts! #conservation #conservationexcellence #accreditation #AccreditationSuccess #landconservation #savinglandFirst Renewals: East Haddam Land Trust, Friends of the Columbia GorgeSecond Renewals: American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT, Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, Housatonic Valley Association, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Kestrel Land Trust, The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, Land Trust of Napa County, Louisville/Jefferson County Environmental Trust, Norfolk Land Trust, North Shore Land Alliance, Rondout-Esopus Land Conservancy, Sagebrush Steppe Land Trust, Sonoma Land Trust, Vital Ground, Wareham Land Trust, Inc., Washington Farmland TrustThird Renewals: Brandywine Conservancy, California Farmland Trust, Conserving Carolina, Countryside Conservancy, Five Valleys Land Trust, Heritage Conservancy, Hudson Highlands Land Trust, North Branch Land Trust, Placer Land Trust, Scenic Hudson ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT is at American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT.

3 weeks ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
📍Make Plans to Explore Local Wonders 🌿National Travel & Tourism Week is around the corner, and there’s no better time to plan your visit to the American Chestnut Land Trust! 🗺️💚Whether you’re into hiking, birdwatching, or just looking for a peaceful escape into nature, ACLT has over 26 miles of trails, stunning views, and rich conservation history waiting for you. 🥾🌳✅ Add it to your travel list✅ Pack your hiking shoes✅ Support local conservation✨ This week is all about discovering what’s in your own backyard — and ACLT is a Maryland gem worth the trip.#ACLT #PlanYourTrip #NationalTravelAndTourismWeek #NatureAwaits #EcoTourism #HikeMD #SupportLocalLandTrusts #TravelLocal #ExploreMaryland #FindYourTrail #HiddenGems ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT

1 month ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
Profile picturesThe American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is looking for a full-time strategic, relationship-driven Executive Director with experience in leadership and conservation and a deep passion for preserving the environment for future generations. Go to: https://www.acltweb.org/index.php/aclt-executive-director-job-announcement/ for more info. PLEASE SHARE WITH ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE POSITION. ... See MoreSee Less
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American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT updated their profile picture.

1 month ago

American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT
The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is looking for a full-time strategic, relationship-driven Executive Director with experience in leadership and conservation and a deep passion for preserving the environment for future generations. Go to: https://www.acltweb.org/index.php/aclt-executive-director-job-announcement/ for more info. PLEASE SHARE WITH ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN THE POSITION. ... See MoreSee Less
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