For hundreds of years, Maryland's Eastern Shore has been home to lovely rural villages and large expanses of productive farms, forests, and fisheries. And Eastern Shore Land Conservancy has worked to protect them--some 36,000 acres since 1990. But growth patterns and development pressures paint a sobering picture for our landscape and for the Chesapeake Bay. A coordinated regional vision--one that integrates conservation and livability with growth and economic vitality--is essential to protection. So ESLC created Eastern Shore 2010, a groundbreaking, inter-county land use agreement that provides the research and support counties need to protect land, promote economic development and farming, direct more development into growth centers, and establish a regional transportation plan. As a result of these efforts, ESLC has continued to preserve the mid-Shore's natural habitat and prime farmland (a bargain at $40 per acre), rescued threatened properties on 690 acres worth over $5 million, and established a record of preservation that makes it one of the most successful land trusts in the country. ESLC has been certified with Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations' prestigious Standards for Excellence award, the first conservation organization in Maryland to receive this honor. Your support also honors their work--and preserves a national treasure.

Robert J Etgen, Executive Director P.O. Box 169 Queenstown, MD 21658 410 827 9756 ext 166 www.eslc.org