Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is delighted to announce the  expansion of Jim and Bo Earnest’s conservation easement in Caroline County, which now totals 678 acres, thanks to a partnership between ESLC, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources,  the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ducks Unlimited. The expansion was funded through the  North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) and through dedicated Program Open  Space dollars—a conservation funding system that was cut dramatically during the 2025  Maryland General Assembly and will likely face similar budget-related threats in the future. The  property boasts forests, migratory waterfowl habitat, agricultural fields, scenic value, and more  than a mile and a half of Choptank River waterfront, protected with 100-foot forested buffers.  

ESLC President & CEO Steve Kline said: “Bo and Jim’s easement protects wildlife, active  farmland, and valuable natural resources. The Earnests have supported ESLC’s mission for  decades, and they are always thinking of the next step for conservation whether that’s through a  healthy forest stewardship plan, a restoration project, or a conservation easement.”  

Owned by The Honorable Broughton M. Earnest (Bo) and his brother Jim, the now 678-acre  ESLC easement is contiguous to both a 376-acre marsh (which the Earnests conveyed to The  Nature Conservancy more than 50 years ago) and the Choptank River’s 30-acre Hog Island  where Bo and his wife Ray have lived for more than 50 years. Raised in the D.C. area, Bo and  Jim’s late father introduced them to “the magic of waterfowl hunting,” on the Eastern Shore  beginning in the early 1950s. This led them to Hog Island, where a surrounding warren of  marshes, impoundments, farm fields, and forests continue to welcome owls, terrapins, otters,  deer, monarchs, muskrats, and thousands of waterfowl every year. “It is hard to find over 1,000  contiguous acres with over three miles of riverfront on the Choptank (or anywhere else on the  Eastern Shore) which has been permanently preserved primarily for the benefit of wildlife,  especially the migratory waterfowl which have used this acreage for winter habitat for thousands  of years” reflected Bo. “Neither of us can conceive of a more valuable legacy than to perpetuate  this environment which has meant so much to our families as well as for the wildlife which call  Hog Island home.” 

“The Earnests’ passion for conservation is inspiring,” commented ESLC Director of Land  Conservation David Satterfield. “Not only have they donated land for public access, but they are exceptional stewards of their property through wildlife habitat protection and restoration efforts  for waterfowl and upland birds. The legacy that the Earnests have built on this spectacular piece  of land, including the restoration work they are planning, solidifies the Earnests as champions of  conservation for the Eastern Shore.” 

“ESLC and the landowners of the Choptank River watershed continue to show their commitment  to serving as stewards of the River and its surrounding landscape,” said Joanna Ogburn, Principal  and Founder of Envision the Choptank. “As a founding partner of Envision the Choptank, ESLC  brings their strengths to the 45- member partnership, protecting over 10,000 acres to date within 

the watershed. This recently expanded easement will help to maintain agricultural productivity  and protect water quality and wildlife habitat for future generations, complementing the efforts  of Envision partners all working towards these shared goals.” 

To learn more about both donated and funded conservation easements, the Rural Legacy  Program, or ESLC’s Program Open Space advocacy, please contact ESLC Director of Land  Conservancy David Satterfield at [email protected] or ESLC Director of Land Use & Policy  Owen Bailey at [email protected]. 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.

Along with partner Tall Timbers, ESLC is honored to receive a 2025 grant from the Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative. Fourteen land trusts across the  country received a total of $260,000 to be used for bird conservation. “We are incredibly grateful to  Cornell for supporting us in this powerfully beneficial management practice, knowing it will greatly uplift  the conservation value of our region,” commented ESLC Enhanced Stewardship Manager Larisa  Prezioso. Prezioso will work with Tall Timbers’ Delmarva Prescribed Fire Coordinator & Game Bird  Biologist Kyle Magdziuk to advance “biologically beneficial blazes,” an initiative to promote and  accelerate the use of prescribed fire to enhance bird habitat. 

“Prescribed fire is an often misunderstood and underutilized tool on the Eastern Shore,” commented  ESLC President and CEO Steve Kline. “ESLC looks forward to equipping landowners with safe,  responsible prescribed fire management plans so we can continue to enhance conserved lands and bring  back that beloved quail call so many of us miss.” 

Over time sprawl development, “edge-to-edge” commercial farming practices, and the compounding  pressures of climate change have drastically reduced habitat for grassland and early successional birds like  Northern bobwhite, Eastern meadowlarks, and grasshopper sparrows. According to the North American  Breeding Bird Survey, 83% of grassland birds experienced significant population declines from 1966 to  2022, with Northern bobwhite quail suffering the largest population loss over the last 50 years, upwards  of more than 90% decline in Maryland alone. 

While many successful initiatives have restored crucial habitat, continued management has been a  challenge since grasslands tend to transition back to forests when left alone. Historically, fire occurred  every 4 to 10 years in this region, preventing this transition. Thanks to funding from Cornell, ESLC will  work with Tall Timbers to maintain the Eastern Shore’s grassland spaces through the responsible use of  prescribed fire. 

Upcoming outreach activities include a 2026 “learn and burn” demonstration, creating grassland habitat  management plans that utilize prescribed burning for conservation easement landowners, and compiling  and distributing resources for landowners to manage their habitat with prescribed fire. “When applied  safely, responsibly, and consistently,” Magdziuk explains, “prescribed fire mitigates the risk of wildfires,  supports a balanced ecosystem with native plant and wildlife communities, and keeps the ecosystem  healthy and resilient, while being one of the most cost-effective tools available.” 

To learn more about ESLC’s prescribed burn initiative, please reach out to Larisa Prezioso at  [email protected]. To learn more about Tall Timbers or about the brand new Eastern Shore Prescribed  Burn Association, please reach out to Kyle Magdziuk at [email protected]. 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.

Join Eastern Shore Land Conservancy as we celebrate our  35th anniversary on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 1—4 PM during our third annual  LandJam! This year, this family-friendly afternoon will be at the wonderful Councell Farms  during their opening weekend. LandJam features live local music including upbeat blues rock  music from the 599s and bluegrass from Coastal Plain. Local favorite Taqueria Floritas will  serve up fresh tacos. Kids can learn more about ESLC’s conservation work on the Eastern Shore and win a fun ESLC prize by participating in a simple scavenger hunt that winds through  Councell Farms’ fall Field of Fun! 

This event is rain or shine. Admission is just $6 per person. Admission is free for grandparents  and children under two. ESLC encourages pre-registration at  

https://www.eslc.org/event/landjam/, but walk-ups are welcome. Free parking, bathrooms, and  handwashing stations are available. 

Councell Farms’ 20+ fall attractions will be up and running! Come enjoy the playground, feed  the goats, pick out fall pumpkins and apple cider, and enjoy Councell’s corn maze, jumping  pillow, combine slide, duck races, trike track, straw maze, and more! Councell Farms also serves  ice cream from Vanderwende’s, a family-owned-and-operated dairy farm and creamery in  Delaware. 

“Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is thrilled to partner with Chip, his family, and all of Councell  Farms for our third annual LandJam,” said ESLC CEO & President Steve Kline. “A community  leader, thoughtful business owner, and friend of ESLC, Chip is a tremendous example of the  devoted Eastern Shore advocates whose pivotal support have provided a sturdy foundation for  ESLC’s 35 years of service and 67,000+ acres of Eastern Shore conservation.” 

ESLC is very grateful to all individuals and businesses who have chosen to sponsor this year’s  LandJam. Sponorships are still available at all levels. For more information please visit our  registration page (https://www.eslc.org/event/landjam/) or contact ESLC Development Manager  Sam Pugh at [email protected] or (410) 227-8182. 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.

Join Eastern Shore Land Conservancy as we celebrate our  35th anniversary on Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 1—4 PM during our third annual  LandJam! This year, this family-friendly afternoon will be at the wonderful Councell Farms  during their opening weekend. LandJam features live local music including upbeat blues rock  music from the 599s and bluegrass from Coastal Plain. Local favorite Taqueria Floritas will  serve up fresh tacos. Kids can learn more about ESLC’s conservation work on the Eastern Shore and win a fun ESLC prize by participating in a simple scavenger hunt that winds through  Councell Farms’ fall Field of Fun! 

This event is rain or shine. Admission is just $6 per person. Admission is free for grandparents  and children under two. ESLC encourages pre-registration at  

https://www.eslc.org/event/landjam/, but walk-ups are welcome. Free parking, bathrooms, and  handwashing stations are available. 

Councell Farms’ 20+ fall attractions will be up and running! Come enjoy the playground, feed  the goats, pick out fall pumpkins and apple cider, and enjoy Councell’s corn maze, jumping  pillow, combine slide, duck races, trike track, straw maze, and more! Councell Farms also serves  ice cream from Vanderwende’s, a family-owned-and-operated dairy farm and creamery in  Delaware. 

“Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is thrilled to partner with Chip, his family, and all of Councell  Farms for our third annual LandJam,” said ESLC CEO & President Steve Kline. “A community  leader, thoughtful business owner, and friend of ESLC, Chip is a tremendous example of the  devoted Eastern Shore advocates whose pivotal support have provided a sturdy foundation for  ESLC’s 35 years of service and 67,000+ acres of Eastern Shore conservation.” 

ESLC is very grateful to all individuals and businesses who have chosen to sponsor this year’s  LandJam. Sponorships are still available at all levels. For more information please visit our  registration page (https://www.eslc.org/event/landjam/) or contact ESLC Development Manager  Sam Pugh at [email protected] or (410) 227-8182. 

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the  unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural  resources and thriving rural communities.

A lot has changed in Queen Anne’s County since Bets Sener Durham hooked a wagon to her Cub Cadet tractor at the age of twelve and drove herself and a friend three miles from her family’s farm the whole way to Church Hill and back. MD-213 might have a little too much traffic for that type of travel these days, but the Seners’ Southeast Creek Farm, located on a beautiful forest-fringed property between Southeast and Syberrys Creeks, will now remain just as beautiful and natural as it was in Bets’s childhood—forever.

Last week, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy finalized the permanent protection of Southeast Creek Farm, through a donated easement co-held by Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) and made possible by Durham and her two brothers Tenny Sener and Ward Sener. This new easement, covering nearly 100 acres, marks an exciting conservation win for Queen Anne’s County, which has now exceeded state goals by preserving more than 43% of its agricultural zoned land. “We want to thank the Seners and Durhams for their dedication to the conservation of their spectacular property,” said David Satterfield, ESLC Director of Land Conservation. “Their love for their land is clearly shown through their actions; both through the restoration of the land for wildlife and now its protection in perpetuity. We look forward to continuing to work with them to pursue their passion for conserving this great resource for generations to come.”

Once primarily agricultural, Southeast Creek farm has transformed into a lush and thriving grassland habitat through Washington College’s Natural Lands Project (NLP). Extensive meadows will now reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in local waterways, provide beautiful scenery, serve as a model of restoration for people driving down Southeast Creek Road, and help to support the property’s waterfowl, grassland birds, beavers, wild turkeys, raccoons, and the bobwhite quail that have been heard distantly following recent meadow enhancements.

The farm’s 4,724 feet of water frontage on Southeast Creek protects ecological and scenic value for watermen, sailors, and kayakers alike. Of its 100 acres, approximately 70 acres are former grain fields now under ecological restoration, 24.5 acres are woodlands that will be managed through a forest stewardship plan to support Forest Interior Dwelling Species, and 56 acres are enrolled in a CREP buffer planting program. The easement also falls within a state-designated Targeted Ecological Area and lies within one mile of other protected lands, building valuable landscape-level connectivity.

Reflecting on his family’s move from Baltimore in the 1960s, Tenny Sener said the relocation was “expansive in terms of our level of experience,” providing both laidback recreation and contemplative corners where he and his siblings were forced to bear witness to nature, where “nothing’s going on and everything’s going on.” Tenny and Bets remain on the Eastern Shore to this day, choosing to donate a conservation easement to protect their home, simply because, as Bets said, “I love the land so much that I wanted to protect it forever.”

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural resources and thriving rural communities.

Thanks to the generous support of Bruce Wiltse and Bill Davenport, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC) and Plein Air Easton (PAE) will host “Forever For Everyone,” a plein air invitational celebrating public parks and trails conserved and enhanced by ESLC. A new round of PAE award winners will paint spring scenes at Bohemia River State Park, the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Oxford Conservation Park, and Friendship Park. These properties were partly funded by Program Open Space, which was at risk of being zeroed out in Maryland’s most recent General Assembly.

Paintings will be on display July 17-19 during the Avalon Foundation’s 21st PAE festival, the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States. ESLC and PAE will host a free preview reception and award ceremony on Wednesday July 16, 2025 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center in Easton—an excellent opportunity to get a first look at the artwork, meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and learn more about ESLC’s conservation work.

More than 10,000 of the 67,000+ acres ESLC has helped to protect are open to the public. ESLC has a long history of purchasing properties before they can be developed and then transferring the conserved land to become parks, preserves, and extensions of public-access Wildlife Management Areas. This work began in 1992 with the transfer of saltmarsh and woodland to expand the Maryland Ornithological Society’s Irish Grove. And it continues today with the restoration of Camp Grove Point, which will expand Grove Farm WMA’s 1,000 acres of forest, farms, marshes, and beaches that provide public access for hiking, fishing, birding, and hunting. 

“Forever for Everyone puts our public lands—made possible through Program Open Space and the conservation work of ESLC—right in front of people’s eyes,” said ESLC President & CEO, Steve Kline. “These places aren’t just scenic—they’re state investments in public access, community health, and local economies. ESLC is deeply grateful to PAE, the Avalon Foundation, Bruce Wiltsie and Bill Davenport, and to the exceptionally talented artists who bring our unique landscape to life.”

Marie Nuthall, Plein Air Easton’s Outdoor Event Coordinator commented, “We are deeply grateful for our collaboration with ESLC, which has brought to life a vision celebrating the beauty of our Eastern Shore landscape. We’re thrilled to welcome back exceptional PAE alumni artists for the exhibit from July 16-19 which is free and (like the featured properties) open to the public. Come by enjoy inspiring art, support our talented artists, and celebrate the Eastern Shore landscapes we cherish. Your support enriches our community culture and helps protect the environment we love.”

ESLC is grateful to Cameron Davidson, Dave Harp, Ashley Stubbs, Dylan Taillie, Hillel Brandes, Jill Jasuta, Kirk Marks, and Susan Hale who photo-documented these parks, enabling some artists to paint from home locations.

Those interested in attending the July 16th preview can register for free at www.eslc.org/events.

Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural resources and thriving rural communities.