The state of Maryland has never shied away from being a place of firsts – the first passenger railroad, the first television station, and the first state park and forest system. In 2024, Maryland also became one of the first states to pledge and exceed goals to preserve 30% of its land area by 2030, causing the state’s governor to set a new and ambitious goal to preserve another 610,000 acres by 2040.
At each of these moments, the state portrayed incredible resolve in the face of innumerable challenges. The State’s forestry and parks began in response to the rampant clear cutting of forests and the determination of conservationists to restore them after centuries of exploitation, logging abuses, fires, and erosion that nearly wiped out first-growth timber by the early 20th century.
Today, the state’s system of local and state parks is critical infrastructure for the millions of visitors to over 1.8 million acres of forests, fields, and beaches. At the same time, the abundance of this system is also a challenge for its stewardship. Operating costs for the state and local governments continue to rise, disparities between communities continue to grow, and priorities for housing affordability and job growth create tensions with the goal of protecting over half of a million additional acres of land.
Agency is collaborating with Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDDNR) to develop a roadmap to meet Maryland at this important moment. Together with the State, Agency is developing a plan that protects Maryland’s state and local parks, natural resources, and agricultural legacy while also getting creative with ways to grow the system and the resources needed to support it. Called a Land Preservation, Recreation, and Parks Plan (LPRP), this document will also guide future planning for local, regional, and preservation entities. In parallel with the LPRP, Agency is also leading a team that includes recreation and strategic planning leaders, PROS Consulting and CHMGS to prepare Maryland’s first-ever State Parks Strategic Plan, with more specific recommendations for Maryland’s State Parks. To support broad and impactful outreach, Assedo Consulting is spearheading engagement efforts and ETC Institute is leading a statewide community survey, to ensure all investments in Maryland’s protected lands are driven by residents’ visions for its future.
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