To avoid double counting acres where multiple programs contributed to the acquisition of a single parcel, the parcel acreage is only aggregated under the program that provided the majority of funding. For example, if the chart displays a dollar amount greater than $0, but also shows 0 acres, it is because the program was not the primary contributor for any parcels in that year.
Local data coming soon.
The Department of Natural Resources coordinates Program Open Space, created by the state legislature in 1969. This program receives its funding from the state real estate transfer tax, which places one-half of one percent of the purchase price of a home or land into a fund dedicated to the Program. Each county receives an allotment based on county population and the amount of real estate transfer revenue generated in that county. Other programs such as Rural Legacy, the Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation and the Maryland Historical Trust’s Heritage Area Program also receive portions of this fund.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,814.0 | $1,762,675 |
| 2004 | 2,420.7 | $2,310,529 |
| 2003 | 9,491.0 | $8,067,035 |
| 2002 | 15,145.4 | $40,396,541 |
| 2001 | 1,913.6 | $9,860,645 |
| 2000 | 122,926.0 | $28,864,901 |
| 1999 | 6,755.0 | $18,517,000 |
| 1998 | 3,276.0 | $12,317,000 |
| Total | 163,741.6 | $122,096,326 |
In 1997, the Maryland General Assembly adopted the Rural Legacy Program as part of the Governor’s Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Initiative. The Program’s mission is to strategically preserve large, contiguous blocks of farmland and open space across the state. Under the Program, local governments and private land trusts identify Rural Legacy Areas, or rural areas in need of protection, and competitively apply for funds. Funds come from general obligation bonds, general funds, and the stateside acquisition budget of Program Open Space.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,651.8 | $7,445,405 |
| 2004 | 6,216.0 | $13,006,463 |
| 2003 | 5,215.1 | $13,485,103 |
| 2002 | 11,772.2 | $31,603,890 |
| 2001 | 14,260.1 | $36,702,322 |
| 2000 | 11,046.6 | $27,628,124 |
| 1999 | 811.6 | $2,274,071 |
| 1998 | 376.0 | $421,312 |
| Total | 51,349.4 | $132,566,693 |
The Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) was created by the General Assembly in 1977 to preserve productive agricultural land and woodland to produce food and fiber, curb urban sprawl, and protect open space. A landowner or group of neighboring landowners with a minimum of 100 contiguous acres may form an Agricultural Preserve District by agreeing to keep their land in agricultural use for at least five years. Landowners may then sell the development rights to the state. MALPF’s funding comes mainly from two sources, Maryland’s real estate transfer tax and the agricultural transfer tax.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3,456.2 | $5,821,513 |
| 2004 | 508.4 | $869,797 |
| 2003 | 13,659.3 | $14,547,315 |
| 2002 | 18,798.7 | $18,023,830 |
| 2001 | 12,758.0 | $13,677,070 |
| 2000 | 18,574.7 | $25,358,800 |
| 1999 | 14,274.5 | $23,109,193 |
| 1998 | 12,469.8 | $20,378,116 |
| Total | 94,499.5 | $121,785,636 |
The Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), created in 1967, aims to conserve and improve, the aesthetic, natural, scenic and cultural aspects of the Maryland environment. MET also promotes open space conservation through its Conservation Easements Program, whereby landowners voluntarily donate their development rights and are eligible for significant reductions in income, property and estate taxes in return. Most of MET’s land conservation is completed through donated conservation easements.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2,234.8 | $0 |
| 2004 | 2,578.3 | $0 |
| 2003 | 3,223.5 | $0 |
| 2002 | 4,189.1 | $0 |
| 2001 | 2,846.6 | $0 |
| 2000 | 3,257.7 | $0 |
| 1999 | 4,455.5 | $0 |
| 1998 | 4,582.4 | $0 |
| Total | 27,368.1 | $0 |
In May 2001, the State of Maryland created a new program, GreenPrint, designed to protect lands critical to long-term ecological health. These lands, referred to as Maryland's green infrastructure, provide the natural foundation needed to support a diverse plant and animal population, and enables valuable natural processes like filtering water and cleaning the air, to take place. The funding source was Maryland general obligation bonds from various Capital Consolidated Bond Loans. GreenPrint ended as of June 30, 2006.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2,440.5 | $2,100,000 |
| 2003 | 26,266.0 | $12,000,000 |
| 2002 | 4,664.1 | $22,500,000 |
| Total | 33,370.6 | $36,600,000 |