ACLT Permanently Protects Key 90-Acre Property

New acquisition preserves critical habitat in Calvert County and expands opportunities for public access.

In June, ACLT acquired and permanently protected one of the largest remaining undeveloped properties in the Parkers Creek Watershed - a beautiful 90-acre tract of land that increases ACLT's preserved lands to more than 3,500 acres. This acquisition represents another important milestone in our 40-year commitment to conserving the natural and cultural resources that make this watershed so special.

The newly protected Helfrich property is home to a diversity of forest types, including young pine stands and older-growth deciduous forests, that provide critical wildlife habitat while helping protect the health of the Parkers Creek Watershed.

Located within two miles of the Chesapeake Bay, the property contains a remarkable diversity of habitats, from mature hardwood forests to young pine stands and open meadow habitat beneath a BGE power line. Together, these habitats support an abundance of wildlife, including Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS) - animals that depend on large, unbroken forests to survive. The property also protects a first-order stream that flows directly into Parkers Creek, helping safeguard water quality for one of Southern Maryland's most treasured waterways.

One of the most exciting aspects of this project is ACLT's plan to construct a new 2.5 mile hiking trail across the property. This trail will connect the 156-acre Yoe property, which ACLT acquired in 2022, to our existing trail system. Up until now, the Yoe property has been disconnected from the rest of ACLT's property. This new link will expand our trail network, improve access to protected lands, and create new opportunities for the more than 65,000 visitors who enjoy ACLT's trails each year.

Funding for the acquisition was provided in part by the Maryland Rural Legacy Program, which compensated ACLT for placing a conservation easement on the property to further safeguard its conservation values. The transaction was facilitated by Southern Maryland Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D), which now co-holds the conservation easement on the property along with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Additional funding required for the acquisition was provided by donations from many community members who are supporters of ACLT. As a non-profit organization, ACLT’s land preservation and stewardship work would not be possible without our community’s generosity. If you would like to make a donation to support ACLT’s work, please visit acltweb.org/donate. 

Pictured, L-R: RC&D Attorney Joe Densford, RC&D Program Director Jessalyn Cockrell, ACLT Executive Director Autumn Phillips-Lewis, Former Property Owner George Helfrich, and ACLT Board President John Yoe

Every acre we preserve helps strengthen the health of the Parkers Creek Watershed, protects wildlife habitat, improves water quality flowing to the Chesapeake Bay, and ensures future generations can experience these forests much as they exist today.