Maryland Forest Legacy Program

Buys perpetual conservation easements on privately owned forestland in Maryland's designated Forest Legacy Areas to keep it from being converted to other uses. Owners keep the land and sell the development rights at market value. Applications are ranked each year and the best ones compete for national funding. Nine easements covering 2,014 acres have been completed.

• Private forestland within a designated Forest Legacy Area

• At least 75% of the area placed under easement must be forested; the remaining 25% must be in a compatible use such as agriculture

• Willing seller

Perpetual easement purchased at appraised market value; up to 75% federal, 25% non-federal or landowner bargain-sale donation. If not funded in a given year, the landowner may reapply.

Published amounts: Easements are purchased at market value. The federal government provides up to 75% of the purchase price. The remaining 25% comes from state, local, or nonprofit sources, or may be donated by the landowner as a bargain sale.

Download the Landowner Application (PDF) and submit it to the MFS Forest Legacy Program Coordinator. Confirm with the coordinator that your property falls within a designated Forest Legacy Area before applying.

Deadline text on the page: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated annually.