Harford Land Trust (HLT), Nature Worx and Ashley Addiction Treatment (Ashley) formed a new partnership to bring patients recovering from substance use disorder to protected land throughout Harford County for experiential nature-based programs.

Led by professional guides from Nature Worx, groups of 10 patients will learn how to connect with the healing properties of nature to support their physical, mental and spiritual health. During a typical 90-minute session, focused activities enable the patients to explore each of their senses to experience various aspects of nature. Using naturalist interpretation, mindfulness, meditation and forest therapy techniques, the patients learn skills that will support their recovery.

“At Ashley, we remain committed to helping as many people as possible find their own personal path to recovery—whatever that looks like for them,” said James Ryan, director of emerging adult services at Ashley. “We’re honored to partner with Harford Land Trust and Nature Worx on this unique program that bolsters our holistic approach to treatment and improves the overall patient experience.

HLT made available a large heavily wooded property for the partnership’s pilot sessions. The permanently preserved property is ideal for deep nature immersion owing to its seclusion and stream and variety of plant and animal life.

“The Harford Land trust properties are ideal locations for conducting our experiential immersion sessions in nature,” said Phil Hosmer, founder and executive director of Nature Worx, a Bel Air-based not-for-profit organization. “The patients respond extremely well to the opportunity to relax, reflect and connect with nature away from distractions, noise and other people.”

Nature Worx has worked with more than 500 patients from Ashley since 2017 and started conducting sessions at the HLT property in May. Surveys of the Ashley patients that participate in Nature Worx show that more than 92 percent report they learn ways that nature can support their recovery.

“Our mission is not only to preserve land, but to connect people to the land,” said Kristin Kirkwood, executive director of HLT. “This partnership provides yet another example of how important it is to protect natural lands for the benefit of the community.”

Our annual report is more than just a collection of facts and figures, or a list of names. It’s a celebration of you—the donors, volunteers, and partners who give so generously of their time and energy. It’s because of you that we are working with landowners across the county to protect their cherished family lands, now and for future generations.

The Harford Land Trust is a community organization. It’s your organization—driven by your generous contributions, your participation in our events, and your efforts to keep Harford County a wonderful place to live, work, and play. We sincerely thank you, and invite you to contact us anytime to share your ideas, suggestions, or goals for the future of the Trust.

Thank you to all of our 2019 supporters.

2019 HLT Annual Report

 Have a look at the HLT Fall 2019 Newsletter! Learn more about our successful Harvest Moon Dinner & Auction, HLT's land steward program, new faces at HLT, and much more.

The Harford Land Trust raised a record $54,000 at its eighth annual Harvest Moon Dinner & Auction on Saturday, October 19.  An enthusiastic sell-out crowd of over 200 people attended the event at the Bel Air Armory in support of the nonprofit’s mission of preserving land in Harford County.

Keynote speaker, Delegate Andrew Cassilly, spoke of the value of connecting people to the land to create a common vision for land preservation in Harford County. Mr. Cassilly stressed that in order to achieve this common vision, government, non-profits, civic groups, environmentalists, landowners, and developers need to effectively communicate and collaborate.

Major sponsors included the Office of Harford County Executive Barry Glassman, Klein's ShopRite, Ann and Art Helton of Millbrook Farm, Lassen, Marine & Webster, Inc., and GreenVest LLC. The event was made possible by the donated goods and services of over 100 local businesses and residents. Harford County Register of Wills, Derek Hopkins, donated his auctioneering services, Joppa resident Jeff Conti donated his professional decorating services, and MacGregor’s of Havre de Grace donated catering services. 

“The outpouring of support for our event shows that our community recognizes the importance of our work and understands the many benefits of land preservation,” Harford Land Trust Board President Ben Lloyd said. “Thank you to our event committee chair and board member Jo Tyson, as well as Cyndi Fitzhugh, Sarah Morris, and Jeff Conti for their work behind the scenes to make this a success.”