HLT is extremely pleased to report that we have secured donations and pledges of $935,000, the agreed purchase price for the 32-acre Perryman Forest. The Trust entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the property in March 2018. This binding agreement specifies the sale price and terms under which HLT will purchase the property. The sale is contingent on many pieces still falling into place, but the biggest hurdle—funding—was just overcome.

Following an initial commitment of 90% of the purchase price from the U.S. Army (through Aberdeen Proving Ground’s Army Compatible Use Buffer Program), we began a public fundraising campaign in November 2017.  Generous supporters donated approximately $19,000 for the preservation of this important property on the Bush River with over 60 households contributing. See a full listing of supporters on page 4.

HLT’s communication about the importance of this project and the strong community support came to the attention of the Harford County Department of Public Works. The Watershed Protection and Restoration team, led by Scott Kearby and Christine Buckley,  supported HLT’s goals of ecological conservation for the protection of water quality and recognized the project’s strong alignment with the County’s Green Infrastructure plan. With the support of County Executive Barry Glassman, HLT and the County subsequently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a pledge to cover the remainder of HLT’s Perryman Forest funding needs.

The Harford Land Trust’s first project was the Forest Green’s Lake Preserve in Perryman in 1992, now a county park. The preservation of the Perryman Forest effectively  expands the Preserve by 32 acres to the north. The tidal and non-tidal wetlands on the site are hydrologically connected through surface and subsurface flow to the Bush River and subsequently to the Chesapeake Bay, benefiting water quality by retaining nutrients and sediment. The property is characterized by upland forest and wetlands, also known as “tree swamps,” and vernal pools, also known as “flatwoods.” This type of ecosystem is only found in the Coastal Plain portion of the County, and is of limited occurrence.

We expect to close on this property within the next six months.

As you drive along Willoughby Beach Road, you see signs indicating the 266 acres of permanently protected land by HLT. One of these properties is the Welzenbach Farm, purchased by the Trust in January 2016. Since then, we have continued the farming lease with Jones Family Farm, hosted Harford County’s Arbor Day Event during which we planted hundreds of trees with community members, improved a stream buffer, performed studies on a future erosion project, and carefully evaluated the long term use of the property and its benefits to the Edgewood community.

As we responsibly manage all our properties, we sometimes have to make tough decisions. One of those decisions is to remove the structures on this property.  We know the old Welzenbach home has been a landmark since 1900 and it will be heartbreaking for many to see it go.  This decision was not made lightly but we are confident that it is the right decision for safety reasons and will allow expanded community enjoyment of the property in the long run.  We have offered the house and outbuildings to the Abingdon Fire Company for a training exercise. 

After careful inspection of the house, it was determined to provide an excellent training burn due to its age and construction. According to the Abingdon Fire Company, “There is no substitute for live fire training; especially, [training] in a home within our service area.” Unfortunately, suitable donated homes that are amenable to training burns are rarely available. Training academies attempt to simulate fire conditions but there is big difference in the quality of the training exercise. Typically, local fire companies train at West Chester Tactical Village, which is costly, results in wear and tear on the companies’ apparatus, and requires the department to leave their duty area for the day.

Our volunteer land stewards have been preparing for the demolition by removing all items required by the Harford County Health Department, the Harford County Department of Inspection, Licenses, & Permits, and the Abingdon Fire Company.  There will be a longer period of smoke than a typical house fire, because fires will be set, extinguished, and reset to facilitate training.  Unlike an accidental house fire, all toxins (asphalt tiles/shingles, cleaning chemicals, etc.) have been removed. We do not know the date when this will occur as it cannot happen on a windy or unfavorable day. But the next time you drive down Willoughby Beach Road, it might look a bit different. We appreciate everyone’s understanding of the need to do this for the safety of the community and our volunteers. 

The Harford Land Trust recognized the Crowl and Thompson families of Street, Maryland with the organization’s prestigious Conservation Award during its annual membership meeting on Saturday, March 10 at Falling Branch Brewery in Highland.

Brothers Parker and Tanner Crowl of Garden Fence Farm are the sixth generation to operate their family’s dairy farm along with their father, David, and other family members. Garden Fence participates in the DFA cooperative which provides milk to leading customers such as Chobani and Kraft Foods. David and Marilyn (Crowl) Thompson founded Foxborough Nursery in 1978 and now manage the business with their sons Andrew and Brad. Foxborough is a wholesale plant nursery with over 900 cultivars.  

The Crowls and Thompsons permanently preserved their lands through Harford County’s Agricultural Land Preservation Program over 20 years ago, accounting for nearly 800 acres of preserved farmland in a swath of countryside stretching from the Rocks along Deer Creek northward to Highland. The families are committed to environmental stewardship, agricultural best management practices, soil conservation, and passing a love of the land to the next generation. “The land is our life,” said awardee David Thompson at the event.

Over 100 people attended the HLT’s annual meeting at Falling Branch Brewery, which released its new Preservation Ale during the event to raise awareness of land preservation in Harford County. The Galbreath family farm, the home of Falling Branch Brewery, was permanently preserved through both the Harford County Agricultural Land Preservation Program and the Harford Land Trust 20 years ago. “We are honored to partner with the Galbreath family and Falling Branch Brewery for our annual membership event. The release of Preservation Ale, brewed with Harford County hops and barley, is the perfect way to mark this occasion,” said Kristin Kirkwood, Harford Land Trust’s Executive Director.

Also honored at the event was Linn Griffiths, a county science teacher for 30 years, for her 10 years of service to the Harford Land Trust, most recently as the Secretary of the Board of Directors. Griffiths teaches biology and environmental science at C. Milton Wright High School and was the 2008 Maryland Presidential Excellence in Science Teaching award winner.  Bill Leahy, Director of the Maryland Environmental Trust, served as the meeting’s keynote speaker.

Linn Griffiths, a county science teacher for 30 years, was honored at the HLT Annual Meeting for her 10 years of service to the Harford Land Trust, most recently as the Secretary of the Board of Directors. Linn began teaching science at Fallston Middle School in 1990 and later moved to C. Milton Wright High School where she has taught biology and environmental science for the past 19 years. She was selected as the Maryland Presidential Excellence in Science Teaching award winner for 2008. Linn has also sponsored C. Milton’s Envirothon Team, served as the Recycling Coordinator, coordinated efforts that led the school to be awarded the International Eco-Schools designation, undertaken landscaping projects such as planting a chestnut grove at the school with her students, and become a County Earth Day committee member. 

Linn has been a committed member of the Harford Land Trust’s Board for the past 10 years, and served as our Secretary and Outreach & Membership Committee Chair for much of the time. She is the brains behind many of our promotional items and community events. We are thrilled that she will continue as our Outreach & Membership Committee Chair.