Landowner Stories
Judy Dettner
Every conservation story starts the same way – it begins with a landowner, an individual or family, who chooses to protect their land, forever.
One of Harford Land Trust’s primary services is assisting landowners who voluntarily express interest in protecting their land. We connect with them, help them determine the conservation value of their property, learn about their protection goals, and try to find a way to protect it in perpetuity. We may work on a project from start to finish or participate in a faciliatory role.
The Cassilly Family
Property Location
Darlington
Land Acreage
17 acres (two properties)
Preservation Model
Donated Conservation Easement
Why We Chose Preservation
“We wanted to ensure that generations to come can find the peace and joy that we have received from this property.”
Roni Cassilly
The Gruver Family
Property Location
Shawsville (Black Horse)
Land Acreage
15 acres
Preservation Model
Donated Conservation Easement
Why Preservation Matters
“I had never thought about leaving a legacy. But it is a concept people need to think about. A legacy does not mean money. It’s a legacy of values that we pass on to our children and on to the land.”
Barbara Gruver
The Lesser Family
Property Location
Coopstown (Jarrettsville)
Land Acreage
17 acres
Preservation Model
Donated Conservation Easement
Why We Chose Preservation
“We feel an ethical obligation to respect and preserve the kaleidoscope of life around us for we are all a part of it and will perish without it. What better way to preserve this land we love than to let it remain in Nature’s care under the guidance of the Harford Land Trust in the form of a conservation easement. We feel very strongly that it has been the right decision.”
Susan Lesser
The Vaughn Family
Property Location
Eden Mill (Pylesville)
Land Area
44 acres
Preservation Model
Fee-simple sale of land for public parkland
Why We Chose Preservation
“When we were very young. . . we enjoyed going to Eden Mill often to hike, row upstream, ice skate and see the abundant wildlife…Now my siblings and I are all in the third quarter (over 60 years young) and are happy our families can still enjoy Eden Mill as we did.”
Jeffrey Vaughn
The Blum Family
Property Location
Bel Air
Land Area
26.785 acres
Preservation Model
Donated Conservation Easement
Why We Chose Preservation
“I believe that land is more valuable than just a spot onto which to build a building and that preservation is a means to preserve that value.”
Annette Blum
Our Work Depends on You
Harford Land Trust can save more land in Harford County, Maryland, because of generous people like you.