Maryland has achieved a groundbreaking conservation milestone by protecting nearly 1.9 million acres of land, ahead of schedule and outpacing other states in the global effort to preserve 30% of land and water by 2030.
Maryland Surpasses Conservation Goals, Eyes Future Expansion
Maryland Surpasses Conservation Goals, Eyes Future Expansion
Maryland emerges as a leader in conservation by reaching a goal to preserve 30% of its land by 2030, a significant milestone for environmental initiatives.
Maryland has successfully protected nearly one-third of its land, including vast areas within places like Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Green Ridge State Forest. It features diverse ecosystems and wildlife, including species such as bald eagles and the recovering Delmarva fox squirrel. This achievement is part of a broader initiative called “30 by 30,” aimed at conserving global land and water resources by the year 2030.
Joining this initiative in 2023, Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore revealed that the conservation goal of 30% of land was achieved in just one year, positioning the state as a leader in environmental stewardship. The new target for the state is now to conserve 40% of its land by 2040, further demonstrating its commitment to ecological preservation.
Significant protected areas include the Chesapeake Forest Lands, which encompass around 75,000 acres of woodland, and a fish hatchery located in Unicorn Lake. Such conservation efforts are crucial not only for biodiversity but also for soil health, carbon storage, and water quality improvements through sustainable agricultural practices.
Farmers like Albert Nickerson are making strides toward conservation as well, with their farm, King’s Ridge, now spanning 350 acres of protected farmland that benefits both food production and wildlife habitats.
This achievement in conservation is part of a broader series dubbed “50 States, 50 Fixes,” highlighting local solutions to pressing environmental challenges across the United States, with more stories and initiatives to be unveiled throughout the year.
Joining this initiative in 2023, Maryland’s Governor Wes Moore revealed that the conservation goal of 30% of land was achieved in just one year, positioning the state as a leader in environmental stewardship. The new target for the state is now to conserve 40% of its land by 2040, further demonstrating its commitment to ecological preservation.
Significant protected areas include the Chesapeake Forest Lands, which encompass around 75,000 acres of woodland, and a fish hatchery located in Unicorn Lake. Such conservation efforts are crucial not only for biodiversity but also for soil health, carbon storage, and water quality improvements through sustainable agricultural practices.
Farmers like Albert Nickerson are making strides toward conservation as well, with their farm, King’s Ridge, now spanning 350 acres of protected farmland that benefits both food production and wildlife habitats.
This achievement in conservation is part of a broader series dubbed “50 States, 50 Fixes,” highlighting local solutions to pressing environmental challenges across the United States, with more stories and initiatives to be unveiled throughout the year.
