

Carol Bartram and Kathryn Weise
2008 Dillon Award for Outstanding Conservationist Landowner
We are thrilled
that our property, which has been in the family for over 50 years, is now
permanently protected from development. All the things we love about the land,
including the birds, the big trees and the rare plants, will be there for
generations to come. It gives us great pride to have been able to make such an
important and lasting decision.
Bear Creek Ranch, Weitzell Family
The main reason for
putting our property in easement was to conserve the native biodiversity, and to
create a positive legacy to pass on to our kids. Our farm is documented habitat
for roughly a dozen species of concern, including a number of state-level rare
plants and animals, and a globally imperiled springsnail. We hope to be an
example to others interested in conservation, and to use the property as a
natural classroom in the future.
Ron
Boyer & Liz McDowell
We consider it our life mission to help preserve and enhance
regional biodiversity. Placing a conservation easement on our property
helps protect the special plants and animals found on our land for future
generations.
Kenny
and Annie Braitman
We chose to place our land in trust with AHC and MET because of our belief in
the necessity of preserving wildlife habitat and unbroken expanses of forested
land. Our land is contiguous to the 175 acre MD Ornithological Society Carey Run
Bird Sanctuary, and we wished to extend this refuge.

Marilyn
Moors
My sons and I are so pleased to be able to maintain and preserve
the integrity of this beautiful old Appalachian mountain farm and to protect the
waters of Buffalo Run.
Rich and Elaine Raesly
In the communities where we both grew up (Rich in northeastern
PA, Elaine in the Baltimore suburbs), we watched development sprawl out into
farmland and swallow small communities. We didn't want to see the rural
heritage of this area face the same fate. We also believe in preserving land
for the benefit of native species and the low-impact recreation that we enjoy
sharing with our daughter, such as hiking, biking, and fishing.