Maryland/DC

This Land is Your Land

The Nature Conservancy has long recognized the importance of America’s public lands. Americans have a deep-rooted tradition of turning to our landscape to sustain and enrich our lives. Even during times of national crisis, America’s greatest leaders have committed to conservation as a means of uplifting our people and healing our nation.

  • President Lincoln authorized the protection of Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove as California state parks in June 1864 — just days before Confederate forces advanced through Maryland to within five miles of D.C.
  • During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps helped save our land and a generation of young men, including 30,000 who joined “Roosevelt’s Tree Army” in Maryland.

Today, the Conservancy supports policy initiatives such as America’s Great Outdoors and urges a permanent commitment to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

While the following sites represent only a fraction of our projects in Maryland, we hope these highlights will inspire you to explore and protect our great outdoors.

After all, this land is your land.

Staff at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp 215Staff members from TNC's Marketing Communications team tour Battle Creek Cypress Swamp on Maryland's Western Shore. Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, the Conservancy's first preserve in Maryland, is the only stand of bald cyrpess trees found in Maryland west of the Chesapeake Bay. It is also currently at the northernmost limit of this species' natural range. The Calvert County Natural Resources Division operates a quarter-mile boardwalk and a nature center there. Erika Norteman
Battle Creek Cypress Swamp

The Conservancy established its first Maryland preserve in 1957 at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, now open as a Calvert County park. Mammoths once roamed this primeval swamp where today’s visitors come to enjoy spring wildflowers and to marvel at ancient bald cypress trees. Calvert’s Natural Resources Division operates a nature center and boardwalk and offers a range of educational programs.

Potomac River Rapids 215Rapid water flows through Potomac Gorge on the Potomac River just west of Washington, DC. Josh E Knights
Bear Island

The National Park Service and the Conservancy jointly manage Bear Island in the ecologically rich Potomac Gorge. The popular Billy Goat Trail offers a rugged hiking experience, along with beautiful river and gorge views. The island and trail are easily accessible from the Great Falls Inn Visitor Center at C&O Canal National Historical Park.

Red-Necked Phalarope 215Red-necked phalarope on water at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, MD. USFWS
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

The Conservancy is part of a broad partnership that has helped protect valuable wetlands at 25,000-acre Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, one of America’s premier waterfowl areas. The refuge’s main visitor attraction is the Wildlife Drive, which can be driven, biked or hiked. Four land and three paddling trails offer additional birding and wildlife-watching opportunities, as well as hunting, fishing and crabbing.

Cedar Landing 215Cedar Landing at Fishing Bay WIldlife Management Area in Maryland, United States, North America. Harold E. Malde
Fishing Bay

Adjacent to Blackwater in Dorchester County is the Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area which the Conservancy helped expand by acquiring Savanna Lake. Fishing Bay is Maryland’s largest wildlife management area, with 29,000 acres featuring large expanses of tidal marshes dotted with wooded islands. Boat ramps and paddle trails offer access for a variety of traditional outdoor recreation pursuits.

Garrett County sunset 215Sunset in Garrett County, Maryland randomduck
Garrett State Forest

The state’s 2007 acquisition of Wilderness Ranch from the Conservancy secured a key link in a 9,500-acre chain of conservation lands. Wilderness Ranch connected the Conservancy’s Cranesville Swamp Preserve to the mountain forests, valleys and streams of Garrett State Forest, which offers camping, fishing and hunting, plus trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling.

Chesapeake Bay Shore 215Shore of the Chesapeake Bay Dave Spier
North Point State Park

The Conservancy and Baltimore County worked with the state to establish North Point State Park in 1987. This 1,300-acre park on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay once served as a private retreat for Bethlehem Steel executives, but today belongs to all Marylanders, offering visitors a wading beach, fishing pier, hiking trails and scenic overlooks.

Parkers Creek canoe 215Parkers Creek in Maryland in United States, North America. David Harp
Parkers Creek

During the 1990s, the Conservancy, the American Chestnut Land Trust and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources worked together to protect some 3,000 acres in the Parkers Creek watershed, which feeds into the Chesapeake Bay. Explore the area’s most prominent landmark with a visit to Calvert Cliffs State Park, where you can hike, bike, fish and even search the beach for fossils.

Mountain Biker 215Mountain Biker tobyadams
Savage River State Forest

The Conservancy acquired the Wolf Swamp and Bear Pen areas of Savage River State Forest in Garrett County. Maryland’s largest state forest features 12,000 acres designated as “Wildlands,” and its nearly 55,000 total acres protect an important watershed, while offering activities ranging from backpacking to cross-country skiiing to mountain biking.

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