Harford Land Trust is interested in acquiring easements or title to privately owned lands with agricultural or natural features that are likely to be lost to mismanagement or development. The Trust is also interested in acquiring land with natural features that if publicly owned would provide aesthetic and recreational benefits to the citizens of Harford County.

Acquisition by purchase

Any privately owned land with the following characteristics are of special interest to the Trust for purchase.

1. high quality agricultural land, especially land on the suburban fringe
   definition: high quality agricultural land – fertile, well drained crop land or lush, properly grazed pasture
2. any undeveloped riparian land that protects the Chesapeake Bay and it’s tributaries
3. forestlands, grasslands or wetlands that have special natural characteristics such as species, communities, geologic features or scenic aspects, or that enhance or protect another property or area of importance.
   definitions: special species – the seasonal or permanent presence of plants or animals that are endangered, threatened or of special concern
   special communities – organisms and their interrelationships that are unique or unusual to Harford County, e.g. bogs and fens, natural grasslands, old growth forests
   special geographic features – unusual soils, rock outcroppings, mineral and fossil deposits, cliffs, caves
   special scenic aspects – viewsheds, waterfalls, lakes and ponds
   other area of importance – parks, state forests, conservation areas, environmental education centers, and natural resource management areas

Acquisition by donation

Harford Land Trust is interested in donations of land that meet the above criteria or that are not encumbered by restrictions unacceptable to the Trust.

Disposal of land acquired by purchase*

Any land purchased by Harford Land Trust has agricultural or natural features worth preserving, and if the Board decides to sell the land, it will be to an individual or organization that will maintain the land forever undeveloped. The method guaranteeing protection will be decided by the Board.

Disposal of land acquired by donation*

Harford Land Trust may acquire land as a donation that cannot be transferred to a public conservation agency. In such a situation, the Trust may sell the land to any private individual or organization if the following criteria are met:

1. Disposal of the land does not violate any conditions or understandings (oral or written, explicit or implied) that were part of the acquisition of the land.
2. The land does not meet the criteria for acquisition (see above).
3. The land meets the criteria for acquisition but development will be limited after disposal because –
   1. the land is physically or legally not developable or
   2. a conservation easement on the land will be retained by HLT, MET or another conservation organization or
   3. the land will be sold to an individual or organization that will guarantee the land, or a significant portion of the land, will remain forever undeveloped, and the Board of Directors approves the terms of any sale that includes rights of development.