General Information Regarding the Parkers Creek Conservation Society and the American Chestnut Land Trust

 

The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is a non-profit land conservancy that manages 3,400 acres of land in Calvert County, composed primarily of woodlands, meadows, and agricultural fields. ACLT’s mission is to preserve land, conserve natural and cultural resources, and provide environmentally sustainable public access to the land. Approximately 1,800 acres of the land that ACLT manages is owned by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and ACLT owns an additional 1,637 acres.

 

The Parkers Creek Conservation Society (PCCS) is a private organization made up of approximately 30 conservation-minded hunters. One of ACLT’s goals is to manage the local white-tailed deer population to prevent overgrazing, habitat degradation, and negative impacts on other species. As part of its deer management program, ACLT allows PCCS members to hunt on the 1,637 acres of land that ACLT owns. The general public is not allowed to hunt on ACLT-owned land; PCCS members are the only ones who may do so. Please note that this land is enjoyed by multiple user groups and is open to hikers on designated trails.

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In exchange for permission to hunt on ACLT land, every PCCS member must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Complete a minimum of 20 service hours at ACLT each year. As a non-profit organization, ACLT relies heavily on volunteers to accomplish all aspects of its broad mission. Service hours will be completed on tasks requested by ACLT staff; these can include (but are not limited to) hiking trail maintenance, facilities maintenance, equipment maintenance, invasive plant control, outreach and education, and farm work.

2. Hunt a minimum of 16 hours or harvest at least 1 deer during the hunting season. This applies to each ACLT tract where the PCCS member hunts. Each member will be assigned by the ACLT Land Manager to 1 gun-hunting tract (if interested in hunting shotgun and/or muzzleloader seasons) and will have the option to bow hunt on a second tract.

3. Pay annual PCCS dues, which are $45. Dues cover insurance and other PCCS needs.

4. Adhere to PCCS rules and Maryland Department of Natural Resources hunting regulations.

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Additional rules are outlined in the PCCS bylaws, which are distributed to members each year at the annual PCCS meeting. The meeting is typically held on a Sunday in late August. If you are interested in joining the PCCS, please fill out and submit this application no later than November 9, 2025.

 

Questions? Email Autumn Phillips-Lewis, ACLT Land Manager, at landmanager@acltweb.org or call the office at  (410) 414-3400.