Land Preservation

Charles County has an active land preservation program that targets the protection of significant natural resources, as well as the County’s most productive farm and forest lands. The areas identified for preservation include the Zekiah Watershed to the east, the Cobb Neck area to the south, and the Nanjemoy/Mattawoman Forest to the west. The land preservation program relies on State and Federal grants as well as local funding to acquire conservation easements from willing property owners.

Key programs include Rural Legacy, Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, and the Purchase of Development Rights Programs. Since 2016, these programs combined have permanently protected approximately 1000 acres each year.

Charles County also has an overall countywide goal of preserving an ambitious 50 percent of the total land area of 294,404 acres. As of 2023, Charles County has permanently protected 105,885 acres, which is 36 percent of the County total land area and 72 percent of the total goal.

Applications Open for Land Preservation Programs
Interested in applying for one of our Land Preservation programs? Contact the Department of Planning and Growth Management at 301-645-0584 or email CarpentC@charlescountymd.gov for more information on eligibility and application deadlines. 

Additional Resources:

1. Land Preservation Programs - Find information about the various land preservation programs.
2. Your Charles County: Land Preservation Program - Tune in to learn more about land preservation in Charles County.
3. Protecting Farms, Forests, and Our Future - Share this flyer that outlines Charles County's commitment to preserving the land that defines our community.
4. Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation - FY2025 Annual Report - Visit Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation's webpage for more information.
5. Rural Legacy Program Annual Report Fiscal Year 2025 - Visit Maryland's Department of Natural Resources webpage to learn more about Maryland's Rural Legacy Program.