New acquisition preserves critical habitat in Calvert County and expands opportunities for public access.
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is pleased to announce the acquisition of one of the largest remaining undeveloped properties in Calvert County’s Parkers Creek Watershed. Purchased in June 2026, the property increases the permanently protected lands under ACLT’s management to more than 3,500 acres. This exciting acquisition represents another significant step in the organization’s 40-year commitment to conserving natural and cultural resources within the watershed.
Located less than two miles from the Chesapeake Bay, the 90-acre property is home to a diversity of forest types, including young pine stands and older-growth deciduous forests. It provides valuable habitat for wildlife, including Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS)–animals that can only thrive within large, undeveloped swaths of forested land. A BGE power line right-of-way runs through the property, adding early successional meadow habitat for a variety of birds, insects, and mammals. In addition to conserving biodiversity and preventing critical wildlife habitat from being lost to development, the acquisition protects a first-order stream that flows directly into Parkers Creek, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.
“ACLT is grateful to George Helfrich, the former owner, for his dedication to conserving this beautiful property,” said ACLT’s Executive Director Autumn Phillips-Lewis. “It is always an occasion to celebrate when we permanently protect natural places, and the ecological and recreational value of this property makes it especially exciting.”
The newly preserved land will also increase opportunities for public access, as ACLT has plans to create a hiking trail across the property. Notably, the property and trail will serve as the long sought-after links between other permanently preserved lands. The planned 2.5-mile trail will connect a previously isolated 156-acre property, which ACLT preserved in 2022, to ACLT’s existing network of public hiking trails and other preserved properties. This connection will enhance public access to nature for the approximately 65,000 visitors who explore 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.
About ACLT:
The American Chestnut Land Trust is a nationally accredited nonprofit land trust whose mission is to preserve and conserve the natural and cultural resources of the Parkers Creek and Governors Run Watersheds for the benefit of this and future generations. ACLT provides environmentally sustainable public access to managed properties for educational, scientific, recreational, and cultural purposes. Promotion of land conservation and preservation throughout Southern Maryland is also an integral part of ACLT’s mission.
Since its establishment in 1986, ACLT has been committed to fostering meaningful connections between people and the land. ACLT maintains over 26 miles of hiking trails that are free and open to the public year-round, encouraging environmental stewardship and awareness through outdoor recreation. ACLT’s trails crisscross creeks and meander through wildlands that include a variety of habitat types, offering visitors a unique opportunity to see flora and fauna in their natural environment. In addition, guided hikes, canoe trips, and events are offered throughout the year. For more information, visit www.acltweb.org.