Planning department reports 71,593 acres preserved; seeks continued capital support for land preservation and community improvement grants

Megan Benjamin, land preservation administrator in the Baltimore County Department of Planning, told the Planning Board subcommittee that the county has protected 71,593 acres in permanent conservation easements as of the end of calendar year 2024 and continues to pursue the county goal of protecting 80,000 acres.

“As of the end of calendar year 2024, we currently have 71,593 acres of preserved lands protected in permanent conservation easements,” Benjamin said. She said the county is working across multiple programs — including the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF), county agricultural easement purchases, donated easements and rural legacy programs — to reach the 80,000‑acre objective.

Benjamin described the county’s portfolio and pipeline: 698 acres and 15 projects closed last calendar year, with county funds applied to seven of those projects; 26 additional easements covering just under 1,800 acres are in various stages of the…