Demonstrating his commitment to protecting Maryland's natural resources and open space for future generations, Governor Parris N. Glendening has committed $25 million in Rural Legacy Funding to purchase and preserve more than 12,000 acres throughout the State.

"One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to permanently protect Maryland's beautiful farmland, forests, and historic villages – and our precious rural heritage – from the threat of development and suburban sprawl," said Governor Glendening. "With today's additions, our Rural Legacy has saved 26,200 acres of Maryland's most treasured land in just two years. We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with local governments and communities and ensure a lasting legacy of green infrastructure and open spaces."

Governor Glendening designated seven new Rural Legacy areas and continued funding for 13 previously designated areas. Newly designated areas included:

• Long Green Valley (Baltimore County) - $500,000.
• Gunpowder River (Baltimore County) - $750,000.
• Lower Deer Creek (Harford County) - $1.75 million
• Fair Hill (Cecil County) - $500,000
• Anne Arundel South (Anne Arundel County) - $1.2 million
• Upper Patuxent (Howard County) - $1.5 million
• Parker's Creek/Battle Creek (Calvert County) - $2 million (*Expansion of existing Battle Creek Area)

Rural Legacy Areas which received continued funding include:

• Mid-Maryland Montgomery (Montgomery County) — $2 million
• Mid-Maryland Frederick (Frederick County) — $2 million
• Mid-Maryland Washington (Washington County) — $1.3 million
• Huntersville (St. Mary's County) — $1.5 million
• Zekiah Run Swamp (Charles County) — $500,000
• Patuxent (Prince George's County) — $1.5 million
• Piney Run (Baltimore County) — $1.75 million
• Little Pipe Creek (Carroll County) — $750,000.
• Coastal Bays (Worcester County) — $2 million.
• Agriculture Security Corridor
  • Tuckahoe (Caroline and Talbot Counties) — $1.5 million.
  • Marshyhope (Caroline and Dorchester Counties) — $1 million.
  • Sassafras (Kent and Cecil Counties) — $1 million.

During his announcement, the Governor cited a Sierra Club report released earlier this week which named Maryland as the best state in the nation for protecting open spaces and curtailing suburban sprawl. The Governor noted that his Rural Legacy program was a critical component of his longtime policy to protect Maryland's "green infrastructure" and preserve the State's remaining undeveloped land for future generations.

"The state of Maryland is a model for the entire United States in its protection of open space and historic places. Maryland demonstrates that, with strong leadership, Americans can retain countryside and historic towns while succeeding economically," said Peter H. Brink, vice president, programs, for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "In recognition of this, the National Trust will present a "National Preservation Honor Award" to Governor Glendening during its 50th anniversary conference in two weeks."

The Rural Legacy Program's goal is to dramatically increase the pace of land conservation, strategically protecting large, contiguous tracts of our most valuable farm and forest lands, and natural and cultural resources. In voluntary partnership with local governments, land trusts and citizen groups and private land owners, the Rural Legacy Program will protect up to 200,000 acres by the year 2011, preserving land in Maryland at a pace equal to development for the first time ever.

Criteria for selection for Rural Legacy Grants includes: the significance of the agricultural, forestry, and natural resources proposed for protection; the degree of threat to those resources and the character of the area; the economic value of resource-based industries or services proposed for protection; and the strength and quality of the partnerships created among federal, state and local governments and land trusts.

Governor Glendening will ask the Board of Public Works to approve these designations and funding allocations in November.