Shoreline in fall on newly conserved property in Pasadena. (Photo: S. Wolfe.)
Pig nut hickory on new private conservation easement property in Pasadena with Champion Tree potential. (Photo: S. Wolfe.)
Protected land secured through county and Chesapeake Bay Trust grant program; Invasive plant removal and native planting included in project
Pasadena, MD — Scenic Rivers Land Trust has permanently protected 47 acres of forested land from development in the Bodkin Creek watershed in Pasadena, marking the local land trust’s 80th conservation easement in Anne Arundel County. Originally slated to be developed with two luxury homes, the Belle Grove Corporation granted a conservation easement. The property was then sold to a local couple who are passionate about conserving this ecologically important area and who championed the project over several years.
Funding for the conservation easement was provided by the Anne Arundel County Forestry and Forested Land Protection Grant Program, which is administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and funded by Anne Arundel County. Public access is not a condition of the conservation easement or the funding.
“Protecting the lands that will keep our county healthy and sustainable is crucial,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “We need our forests for clean air, clean water, cooler temperatures—they’re incredible assets. We’re proud to partner with Chesapeake Bay Trust and Scenic Rivers to protect more of the places our community needs.”
Scenic Rivers identified the property as one of the “Top 100 Most Important Properties to Conserve” in Anne Arundel County during an ecological assessment and prioritization project conducted with the Chesapeake Innovation Center in 2021.
The newly protected forest stands out for its high-quality and rich diversity, including a pig nut hickory tree that meets the criteria for county and state Champion Tree programs. Situated within the Anne Arundel County Green Infrastructure Network and almost entirely within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, the land also boasts over 800 linear feet of streams, three acres of forested wetlands, and is recognized as “Significant for Biodiversity Conservation” by Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Biodiversity Conservation Network (BioNet).
“This is an outstanding conservation success because of our community partnerships,” said Scenic Rivers Executive Director Sarah Knebel. “This project became a reality because passionate community members saw the beauty and importance of this unique forest and were ready to invest in its protection. We’re eager to take on more projects like this and are deeply thankful for the incredible culture of collaboration that makes them possible.”
Newly conserved private forest in Pasadena. (Photo: S. Wolfe.)
Healthy forest wetland on newly conserved property in Pasadena. (Photo: S. Wolfe.)
Grey fox (Photo: S. Wolfe.)
In addition to securing the conservation easement, the grant funding will support the removal of over 3.5 acres of invasive plants and planting native trees and shrubs to help native species thrive. The work will be part of Scenic Rivers’ Healthy Forests program, with some opportunities open to volunteers and others handled by restoration experts.
“These community-driven efforts will ensure the health and vibrancy of this forest and other natural resources,” shared Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “We are proud to help administer this grant program that empowers local groups to undertake the on-the-ground greening work for their own communities.”
About Scenic Rivers Land Trust: A nationally accredited land trust, Scenic Rivers is a private nonprofit dedicated to conserving the special forests, farms, wetlands, and natural areas that sustain Anne Arundel County. To date, Scenic Rivers holds 80 conservation easements across the county, totaling over 3,700 acres. To learn about Scenic Rivers’ conservation and stewardship programs, visit www.srlt.org.
