Land
Local and state resources are available for expert technical assistance regarding land management, enhancement programs and zoning restrictions for your conservation easement.
Agriculture The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Office of Resource Conservation works with Maryland farmers and soil conservation districts to plan and implement conservation practices and programs that balance crop and livestock production with the need to protect natural resources. The office provides a range of educational, financial, technical assistance, and regulatory programs to support Maryland agriculture and protect natural resources.
Soil Conservation Districts The Office of Resource Conservation provides the state's 24 soil conservation districts with operating funds and staffing support to deliver local soil conservation and water quality programs. Farmers seeking free technical or engineering assistance to design and install best management practices on their farms or develop Soil Conservation and Water Quality Plans required by many federal and state conservation programs should contact their local soil conservation district.
Local Government
Your County’s local department of planning can provide additional services and programming. Planning offices review residential, commercial, and industrial building permits, site and development plans for compliance with local zoning regulations and process all zoning petitions and forms. For example, special exceptions, special hearings, and variances.
Restoration and Land Management Services
Maryland property owners have the opportunity to enhance and manage the natural areas on their private land. Both the Department of Natural Resources and University of Maryland Extension Office offer information, resources and technical assistance in this area. (See additional sections below for specific programs related to woodlands, waterways or invasive species management)
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Forests/Woodlands
Visit Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service homepage.
The Maryland Forest Service has helpful resources related to restore, manage, and protect Maryland’s trees, forests, and forested ecosystems, including:
Forest Management
Learn more about programming, resources, guides and information about
Forest Stewardship and
Forest Health.
Forest Service Videos
Visit DNR’s YouTube page and learn more about the video provided by the Forest Service.
The Online Forester
The Online Forester is a list services being offered by the Forest Service in Maryland.
Forest Service Contact Information
Locate a specific Forest Service office address and phone number by clicking on the map or
contacts table.
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Waterways/Shorelines
Multiple units at DNR provide water-related technical resources, information and support to Maryland’s citizens and property owners, including the
Chesapeake & Coastal Service,
Forest Service and
Critical Area Program.
Living Shorelines
Living shorelines are the result of applying erosion control measures that can be used to minimize coastal erosion and maintain coastal process. Living Shorelines can be very effective and can be implemented on virtually any shoreline property. Assistance is provided by CCS’s Shoreline Conservation Service staff through site visits and evaluations, problem assessments and recommended solutions.
Shoreline Conservation Service
The Shoreline Conservation Service provides technical and financial assistance to Maryland property owners in resolving shoreline and stream bank erosion problems. Assistance is provided through site visits and evaluations, problem assessments and recommended solutions.
Critical Area Buffer
The Critical Area Buffer is the area of at least one hundred feet located directly adjacent to the State’s tidal waters, tidal wetlands, and tributary streams. Ideally, this Buffer is composed of trees, shrubs, and other plants that catch sediments and other pollutants coming from buildings, lawns and paved areas.
Watershed and Forest Management
The Maryland Forest Service has a range of programs and projects aiming to expand and maintain the state’s forests so they can provide a healthy ecosystem with clean water and viable wildlife habitat. Targeting forests to sensitive areas – such as floodplains, stream sides, shorelines, seeps, steep slopes, erodible soils or headwater areas – can prove particularly beneficial for water quality and riparian and aquatic habitat.
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Property Records
Property records can be found using
MDlandrec.net to look up a deed using a property address or liber (book) and folio (page) numbers.
You may contact MET for a copy of your deed of conservation easement if your property is protected by an easement that is held by MET.
Department of Assessment and Taxation
SDAT assess all real property in the state based on an appraisal of the fair market value of the property issues property tax bills and administers programs for state property tax exemptions and credits.
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Wildlife, Native/Invasive Species and Other Resources
Wildlife and Heritage Services
DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service provides information on and programming about Maryland’s diverse wildlife species, including information on
habitat for wildlife,
Waterfowl Restoration Program,
licensing, and how to deal with
nuisance wildlife and sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.
Native, Invasive and Exotic Species in Maryland
DNR provides information and resources about
invasive and exotic species in Maryland, including what invasive species are, photographs and resources to learn more. The University of Maryland Extension Office also provides information about
native plants and
invasive species.
University of Maryland Extension Office
University of Maryland Extension (UME) is a statewide, non-formal education system within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. UME offers assistive services to citizens based on research performed in the areas of Agriculture and Foods Systems, Environment and Natural Resources among others. Learn more about
UME resources, programs and publications.
Maryland InfoPortal, Catalog of State Assistance
Maryland InfoPortal contains links to 700-plus state programs providing financial, non-financial and technical assistance and direct development to local government, civic and private organizations, and individuals.
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