HAGERSTOWN – Washington County continues to protect landscapes with the recent addition of a 202-acre mostly wooded farm near Williamsport, marking another milestone in a decades-long effort.
Announced at the end of last month, this preservation, achieved through a Rural Legacy Program easement, brings the county’s total protected acreage to more than 43,000, inching closer to its ambitious 50,000-acre goal.
Along Dam 4 Road, the farm adds to a contiguous block of thousands of acres already protected, encouraging adjacent landowners to follow suit.
The easement is the latest component of a comprehensive program that has made land conservation a cornerstone of the county’s identity since 1981, when local leaders recognized the need to balance growth with the protection of agricultural and natural resources.
By then, sprawling development had started to threaten the region’s farmlands and historic sites, prompting the establishment of the Land Preservation Office within the Department of Planning & Zoning.
Enactment of the state’s Rural Legacy Program, funded by the Department of Natural Resources at the end of the millennium, initiated the effort to protect large, contiguous tracts of land with cultural, historical and environmental value, RLP has since secured nearly 9,800 acres in the county, representing more than 22% of all permanent easements.
This state-backed tool enables landowners to sell development rights while retaining ownership, ensuring farms and forests remain productive and free from urban encroachment.
RLP is just one among a broader bouquet of preservation programs. The Agricultural Land Preservation Program, administered jointly by the state Department of Agriculture and the county, stands as the most prolific, conserving over 17,000 acres – nearly 40% of the total protected farmland by offering easements that perpetuate agricultural use amid rising development pressures.
Other federal and state initiatives complement this, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which focuses on environmentally sensitive areas like aquatic buffers; Program Open Space–Stateside for recreational lands; and the federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program.
Locally, the county’s Installment Purchase Program and forest conservation easements add flexibility, allowing phased payments to landowners.
These efforts are integrated into the county’s comprehensive plan, which prioritizes rural character through zoning and subdivision ordinances that promote clustered development and open space dedication.
While state sources dominate, Washington County has increased its own contributions in recent years, including a $1.55 million rural land grant in 2022.
Collaborations extend to organizations like the Antietam Battlefield Trust, Mid-Maryland Land Trust and the Environmental Trust, which provide expertise and advocacy.
These alliances not only secure land but also enhance biodiversity, protect watersheds like the Conococheague Creek and preserve Civil War-era sites around Sharpsburg.
Spanning about 14.5% of the county’s land mass, these protections sustain a $100 million-plus agricultural economy, bolster tourism through trails and parks, and mitigate climate risks by maintaining forests and wetlands.
Recent successes show strong momentum: a 130-acre Clear Spring farm along Conococheague Creek in December 2025 via CREP; a 50-acre Williamsport property in November; and a 173-acre Sharpsburg tract in June 2025 under RLP.
These additions build contiguous “green belts,” deterring sprawl and fostering wildlife corridors. Yet challenges persist: budget constraints, landowner reluctance and competing interests, such as solar farms, test resolve.
Looking ahead, the county’s Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan outlines a five-year vision to reach 50,000 acres, with an emphasis on underserved areas and the integration of recreation and conservation.
As development booms, the program helps ensure the county’s pastoral heritage endures, thereby preserving its legacy, economy, and quality of life for future generations.
