MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LAND ACQUISITION AND PLANNING

​​​​​​​Rural Legacy Program


Application Process

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Land Acquisition and Planning

Maryland's Rural Legacy Advisory Committee

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The Rural Legacy Advisory Committee (RLAC) met on Monday, June 17, 2024, at 2 pm​ virtually via the ​Google Meet platform. The meeting minutes can be accessed via this link.

Members of the Advisory Committee have been appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Rural Legacy Advisory Committee is a body composed of representatives from various public and private sectors with an interest in Maryland’s land preservation efforts. The Rural Legacy Advisory Committee (RLAC) meets at least once a year. ​​​They are responsible for reviewing the annual Rural Legacy Sponsor applications in a fair and consistent manner and making recommendations for funding to the Rural Legacy Board.

The Rural Legacy Program encourages local governments and private land trusts to identify Rural Legacy Areas - delineated areas within a county that include both working farms and ecologically significant landscapes that fit the conservation goals of the Program.  Local Sponsors seeking funding must submit an annual grant application to the Rural Legacy Program.​​

Pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, the ​annual ​Rural Legacy Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public; however; part of a meeting may be conducted in closed session pursuant to § 3-305(b)(3).  During the open portion of a meeting, when invited by the Chair to participate, the public may comment on the discussion. Please contact Katrina L. Tucker at KatrinaL.Tucker@maryl​and.gov if you plan to attend a​ meeting virtually ​or if you need any accommodations.

Rural Legacy Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas ​are available on this page prior to meetings.

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The Rural Legacy Advisory Committee consists of:

  • A Trustee of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF)
  • A Trustee of the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET)
  • A representative of the agricultural industry
  • A representative of a non-profit land conservation organization
  • A representative of a non-profit environmental organization
  • A representative of the forest industry
  • A representative of a county government Department of Recreation and Parks
  • A representative of a business organization
  • A private land owner
  • A representative of the mineral resources industry
  • A representative of a municipal organization

​Rural Legacy Advisory Committee

Robert F. Cissel, Jr. - Chair
Agricultural Industry
Term: 2027

Mary E. "Cricket" Goodall
Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation
Term: 2027

Vacant
Maryland Environmental Trust
Term:

Jeffrey Eckel
Non Profit Environmental Organization
Term: 2028

Hon. Steve Kline
Non Profit Land Conservation
Term: 2027

Dr. Stephanie Nicole Stotts
Forest Industry
Term: 2028

Sonja Ewing
County Recreation and Parks
Term: 2028

Kelly Berry Stevens
Business Organizations
Term: 2028

Jane Griffith Evans
Private Land Owner
Term: 2026​

Arshad Sayad
Mineral Resources Industry
Term: 2026​

Hon. Monica Casanas
Municipal Corporations
Term: 2028​

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Membership on the Rural Legacy Advisory Committee (RLAC) is through the Governor's Appointments Office. To submit your name for membership consideration, please go to: http://govappointments.maryland.gov/​

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Maryland's Rural Legacy Board

Rural Legacy Program Staff Contacts

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