Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Community-Based Conservation
ESLC 2015 Strategic Plan Towns. Public Access. Whole Communities

Our Vision: An Eastern Shore where the public will have increased access to the lands and waterways of the Chesapeake Bay. Communitydriven projects will contribute to thriving farms, forests, fisheries and towns.

ESLC can play a critical education and support role in helping towns with state of the art planning and engaging their residents in the process.

ESLC will promote land conservation and planning which provides public access to open space including parks, the Chesapeake Bay, farmland, hiking trails, urban gardens, and other parts of the Eastern Shores rich heritage.

ESLC will proactively reach out to diverse communities to hear their priorities, engage them in projects, and educate them about ways to protect the Eastern Shore.

Regional surveys and national statistics show that communities want more access to public land - both here on the Eastern Shore and around the country.

Land Trust Alliance: http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=12010&folder_id=2386 Eastern Shore Land Conservancy: http://www.eslc.org/articles.php?article=26

Community Projects lead to tangible economic results Increased property values near trails, parks, and community gardens More residents who want to live and work in towns that provide access to open spaces Increased tourism Reduced crime
The Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy: http://furmancenter.org/files/publications/The_Effect_of_Comm unity_Gardens_combined.pdf Trust for Public Land: http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cdl.cfm?content_item_id=888&folder_i d=728 http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=13843&folder _id=188

Community Projects Lead to Measurable Health Benefits People exercise more when they have access to parks and trails A greener environment is healthier Open green spaces leads to longevity Being outdoors reduces stress Outdoor opportunities are healing

Health Promotion International: 50% Center for http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/1/45.full.pdf Towns University of Delaware Cooperative Extension: http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/humanwellness/Human_Benefits.pdf

Community Projects and Increased Access to the Outdoors makes Healthier Kids: Lowers stress in children Mitigates a childs attention disorder symptoms Increases self-esteem Combats childhood obesity Lowers childhood asthma Improves cognitive functions and science testing scores
Children and Nature Network: http://www.childrenandnature.org/downloads/C& NNHealthBenefits.pdf

Great Places Great People Great Communities Empowered partners: Projects are designed and implemented to empower those involved, so that they lead to long-term success. In addition, projects serve as examples, leading to more projects throughout the shore. Whole communities: Project design and implementation bring communities closer together, opening up new opportunities for partnership, inclusive communities and collaboration.

Community Project Examples Community Gardens Park Lands Greenbelts Community Supported Agriculture Working Waterfronts Safe Routes to Schools Playgrounds Bike Routes Healing Gardens

Bloomfield Farm White Marsh Park

Community-Driven the project came out of a desire to create a greenbelt, prevent increased development significantly, protect the environment and create local food opportunities Government Support Queen Annes county wanted responsibility over construction and maintenance of the park Environmental Improvement protection of the land restored water quality, protecting an endangered mollusk in an adjacent stream Community Need the community was struggling to find enough sports fields for its programmed activities Job Preservation the project gave the county the opportunity to support job preservation by teaching existing employees new skills instead of hiring outside contractors to build the park Part of a Larger Vision the county is already looking to extend this park to create more trails by purchasing a parcel of land that lies next to the park

Canton Farm - St. Michaels

Community-Driven the project came out of a desire to create a greenbelt, prevent increased development significantly, protect the environment and create local food opportunities Government Support Queen Annes county wanted responsibility over construction and maintenance of the park Environmental Improvement protection of the land restored water quality, protecting an endangered mollusk in an adjacent stream Community Need the community was struggling to find enough sports fields for its programmed activities Job Preservation the project gave the county the opportunity to support job preservation by teaching existing employees new skills instead of hiring outside contractors to build the park Part of a Larger Vision the county is already looking to extend this park to create more trails by purchasing a parcel of land that lies next to the park

Canton Farm Park

Habitat Restoration Recreation Wildlife Forests Open Space

Miles Point Green

Community Driven fundraising Open space for community Town and citizens worked together to help achieve desired end result Entire property protected from future development

Our towns need to be livable and have a high quality of life for ALL residents.We need more community parks & community gardens.
- Talbot/Dorchester Habitat for Humanity representatives