When was the last time something
took your breath away?
Maybe it was on your last visit to ACLT.
Maybe it was the moment you turned from Dares Beach Road onto Double Oak Road and were engulfed in a tunnel of trees.
Surrounded by hundreds of acres of forest and farm fields, the narrow historic road winds you to the north side of ACLT and its Parkers Creek Preserve. Striking green in spring and dazzling gold and bronze in fall, the road offers just a glimpse of the majesty of the land it belongs to: Holly Hill.
Beneath Holly Hill’s beauty a critical resource has been hidden. Tucked safely away in its forests, quiet streams begin and flow across the Parkers Creek Watershed, feeding one of the largest tributaries of Parkers Creek.
However, for those driving across this beautiful property to ACLT, most assume it’s part of the Trust. Safe. Preserved.
But Holly Hill – its beauty, its nature, and its ecological treasures – is not protected.
This is our only chance to preserve Holly Hill
and save the Parkers Creek Watershed.
For 20 years ACLT has watched Holly Hill, a 405 acres property adjacent to the Parkers Creek Preserve. Not only is it the largest unprotected parcel in the watershed, but it’s also home to the vulnerable headwaters of the Horse Swamp tributary which feeds into Parkers Creek. For the past 16 months, we have worked with the Maryland Rural Legacy Fund, the Board of Calvert County Commissioners and the Board of Public Works to find a way to purchase and protect this property. And now, we have a chance and it is very likely the only chance we will ever get.
If not preserved, the beautiful and historic Double Oak Road could one day be leveled and the 405 acres of forests and fields could be gone, putting at risk the well-being of the entire watershed.
The Parkers Creek Watershed is a treasure to our county, our community and to ACLT. Its health benefits more than just the land itself. It supports our native wildlife and plant life, provides clean water and clean air, and helps to protect our national treasure – the Chesapeake Bay.
The ACLT team is determined to protect it.
We need your help.
This is ACLT’s largest campaign since we opened our doors in 1986 and the ACLT staff and Board deliberated heavily about taking on such a challenge. After all, even with our many dedicated volunteers and board members, ACLT has only 3 full time staff members. But as Executive Director, Greg Bowen said, “The Holly Hill property is so critically important to the future of this remarkable watershed, I can’t imagine not doing everything possible to preserve it. It’s really that critical.”
The staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers are committed to doing everything possible to preserve Holly Hill and to save the Parkers Creek Watershed.
But none of it is possible without YOU!
We need your help! Your gift is needed in the effort to protect and care for this important property, in addition to the current Parkers Creek Preserve, forever. Please donate now: DONATE
It will take the support of many friends, families, and businesses to save the watershed by preserving its largest tract of unprotected land. There are several ways you can contribute to this important project and to the care of this precious watershed:
- Your gift may be made in cash or securities
- Your employer or your spouse’s employer may double your contribution through a matching gift program
- Your gift may be made in honor of a friend or loved one; ACLT will inform the person or their family of your generosity
- Stewardship gifts may be made as bequests and life insurance
- Your gift is tax-deductible to the greatest extent of the law
Many gifts will qualify for inclusion on ACLT’s permanent recognition displays. Please consult with our staff for more details.
Pledges are encouraged and may be extended for as long as five years with a frequency and payment method of your choosing. Reminders will be sent to assist you.
Gifts will be accepted according to ACLT’s gift acceptance policies. Please choose the best giving option for you and your family,and please give generously.
