MD Gov. O’Malley Announces Major Land Preservation

Governor Martin O’Malley announced the Board of Public Works has approved preservation of more than 1,435 acres of a family farm along the Little Blackwater River and 275 acres of wetlands and forests in Charles County under Stateside Program Open Space.

“Preservation of the Good Luck family farm will provide an extraordinary opportunity to safeguard significant wildlife habitat, protect forest lands and the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay,” Governor O’Malley said. “At the same time, we are preserving a working, family owned farm that has made important contributions to our agricultural economy and our cultural legacy.”

The property is one of the largest, privately owned contiguous tracts of land in the county and provides habitat for a variety of plant and wildlife species, including the endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel. The forests and wetlands also provide a natural buffer that helps protect water quality on the Little Blackwater River, a tributary to the Nanticoke River and the Chesapeake Bay.

The board approved $200,000 through stateside Program Open Space for Maryland’s contribution to the $1 million easement, which the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold in partnership with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy and the federal Fish and Wildlife Service.

The farm, owned by sisters Flora Knauer, Sue Saathoff and Frances Saathoff, is ” the epitome of why we want to maintain our Eastern Shore heritage for future generations,” said Meredith Lathbury, Director of Land Conservation for the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. “Their dedication to the land that they grew up on is a true gift to the community.”

The land being preserved in Charles County includes non-tidal wetlands and uplands forest that will become part of the Nanjemoy Natural Resources Management Area, along the tidal Potomac River. The easement will safeguard wildlife habitat and provide expanded opportunities for environmental education and recreation.

The Dorchester and Charles county properties are high priority conservation acquisitions under Maryland’s new Program Open Space Stateside Targeting System. The ecologically based targeting approach was developed last year under Governor O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative to ensure the state is protecting the most strategically important landscapes to provide a lasting legacy for future generations.

Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the BPW have preserved more than 6,651 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for acquisition of 324,125 acres for open space and recreation areas. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded Program Open Space.

Chaired by Governor O’Malley, the Board of Public Works is also comprised of Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The Board is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

WILD GOOSE CHASE 2009

Terry and Bike Wear™ invites you to attend the 2009 Wild Goose Chase, the second annual running of this bicycle ride for women which benefits the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge near Cambridge, MD on the Eastern Shore. The Refuge provides critically important habitat for hundreds of species and unsurpassed cycling for everyone who rides there.

The full $35 registration fee goes to the Friends of Blackwater for the benefit of the Refuge. Come and join us for a day of riding in and around the Refuge (lengths vary from 10 to 62 miles), eating, shopping and meeting new friends. The terrain is dead flat, the scenery is spectacular and the roads are quiet. It’s perfect for everyone from beginners just getting into the sport to seasoned pros who want some early season miles to get reacquainted with the bike. Loosen up the legs and contribute to a great cause at the same time.

In addition to riding your bike, you can shop for Terry and Gore apparel, test ride a Terry bike, enjoy a massage, participate in a yoga session conducted by Andria Davis and take a chance in our raffle. After ride food will be provided by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. And, yes, we will have a well-stocked goodie bag for you!

If you’d like to make a weekend of it, we’ll be offering guided kayak tours, self-guided bike rides and a bird walk the Saturday before.

Last year’s ride sold out in days, so don’t delay! We’re planning for 700 riders this year. As of today, we’ve already taken registrations from over 300 riders.

Information: http://www.terrybicycles.com/tours/