How do you protect your property from development and preserve your way of life for the future?

What are the tools available?

In over 30 years of protecting land with conservation easements, there’s a record of success, but what’s in store for the future?

You’re invited to hear from two land conservation experts this Tuesday evening, July 16, at the next John Wright Speaker Series hosted by the Severn River Association (SRA).

The series is held at Union Jack’s Pub in Parole. Speakers begin at 7 p.m.

A $10 donation is requested at the door. Attendance at John Wright Speaker Series is free for SRA members. An individual membership is $35.

Our special guests are from the Scenic Rivers Land Trust: Executive Director Rick Leader and Conservation Director Sarah Knebel.

They will explain how the land conservation process works and what that protection that actually brings to a property. Is the land off limits to development forever? If not, what do the limits actually achieve?

They’ll also explain the big opportunities that lie ahead for future protection efforts.

Rick Leader has had a 30-year nonprofit career as an executive with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Audubon and Scenic Rivers Land Trust.

He has hard-earned experience in organizational development, grant management, environmental education and outreach, and land preservation.

Sarah Knebel has spent the last four years at Scenic Rivers, diving into the Trust’s mission to protect special places.

This work includes outreach to landowners, drafting new easements and managing the conservation easement stewardship program.