Celebrating Science and Stewardship at Sugar Water Manor
As part of DNR Science Week, Lower Shore Land Trust welcomed Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Kurtz to Sugar Water Manor, an LSLT easement property owned by Dana Zucker, to celebrate the completion of our first Conservation and Resilience (CORE) plan.
The visit highlighted the collaborative work of LSLT, DNR, and landowners to support the long-term stewardship of conserved land. Sugar Water Manor’s plan is the first of 75 CORE plans LSLT will develop for our easement holders within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
CORE plans are a new tool to help landowners turn their goals into practical steps for their properties—including working farms and forests. Each plan considers the property’s natural resources alongside the landowner’s desired uses, whether those include agriculture, forestry, recreation, wildlife habitat, or a combination of activities.
Developed in collaboration with landowners, these plans identify opportunities to support healthy soils, forests, wildlife habitat, and clean water while sustaining the uses that make each property valuable to its owner. The result is a stewardship roadmap tailored to the land and the people who care for it.
A conservation easement provides lasting protection; a CORE plan helps guide the ongoing work of caring for that protected land. Together, these tools support productive, resilient landscapes and contribute to the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Thank you to Dana for hosting the visit and helping us mark this important milestone, and to our DNR partners for their collaboration.
Interested in a CORE plan for your property? Visit our website to learn more about this new resource, eligibility, and how to get started.
