Chester River, MD

Three miles of historic Chester River shoreline, 600 acres of unique Delmarva Bays, a 90-acre waterfowl sanctuary, and important habitat for bald eagle and endangered fox squirrel are now preserved forever under the 5,200-acre Chino Farms conservation easement—the largest in Maryland’s history. The Fund, collaborating with the landowner, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Queen Anne County, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ensured the protection of more than eight square miles of critical riparian habitat and wetlands. This easement keeps Chino Farms in agricultural production while conserving valuable natural resources in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.