Preserving our Land

By redirecting our growth patterns and preserving our open space, we are protecting human health and well being along with the very foundation of Maryland’s social and economic prosperity:  productive farm land, critical habitat for fish and wildlife, opportunities for recreation and tourism, our culture and our history.

Western Maryland horizon

Land Conservation Programs

  • Through the cutting edge GIS technology of GreenPrint, every Marylander can now track land conservation progress across the state and identify ecologically significant lands within their own communities.
  • The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation permanently preserves farm land through purchase of development rights to protect the environment and local food supply, strengthen rural communities and help direct development into areas with existing built infrastructure.
children playing on farm

Planning Tools for Local Governments

  • MDP PlanCast is a multimedia product featuring Smart Planning, a 15-minute public affairs radio program that provides information on Smart, Green & Growing initiatives in Maryland.
  • Over 600 Marylanders came out to nine Smart Growth Listening Sessions held throughout the state by MDP and the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development to get citizen input on the future of sustainable growth in Maryland.
  • The 21-member Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development released its report entitled “Where Do We Grow from Here?” on January 12, 2009.
  • The State of Maryland is working closely with local governments to realize Transit Oriented Development (TOD) at key rail transit stations across the State.
  • Maryland will release its first Statewide freight plan in 2009 that will be one of the first freight plans to include a Smart Growth component.
  • In partnership with the U. S. Census Bureau, the State of Maryland is working to achieve a complete count of Maryland’s citizens in the decennial census taking place next year.
  • To protect Maryland’s people, infrastructure, and investments from the impacts of climate change, we are taking action now to ensure that our coastal communities are ready, adaptive and resilant.