123 Acres of Forest and Farm Protected in the Heart of Annapolis

Scenic Rivers Land Trust secures conservation easement on Mas Que Farm, protecting one of Annapolis’s largest remaining forests.

(Annapolis, MD—November 20, 2025) Scenic Rivers Land Trust has announced the permanent protection of 123.1 acres of forested land within the City of Annapolis, thanks to a newly established conservation easement on the Mas Que Farm property, granted by Katherine Properties LLC, owned by landowner Janet Richardson-Pearson.

The conservation easement ensures that this extraordinary landscape, one of the largest intact forests remaining within city limits, will remain protected forever. The property, located adjacent to land slated for The Village at Providence Point continuum-of-care community, will serve as a lasting example of how thoughtful land conservation can balance community growth and protection of the natural resources we depend on.

“This conservation easement represents a significant step forward for our city,” said Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley. “After years of discussion, many people came together in good faith to find common ground. While opinions have varied, the result is lasting protection for an extraordinary natural area. Thanks to our partnership with Scenic Rivers Land Trust, a vital part of this forest will remain protected and part of our community for generations to come.”

The Mas Que Farm property is remarkable for its ecological diversity and rarity within city limits. Roughly 96 acres are forested, creating one of the largest unbroken woodlands remaining in the City of Annapolis. The land also includes more than 1,300 feet of streams that flow into Crab Creek and about 16 acres of wetlands, which help filter runoff and protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.

These forests and wetlands provide valuable habitat for forest-interior bird species and other wildlife, and most of the land ranks in the highest tier of Maryland DNR’s BioNet biodiversity network, identifying it as among the state’s most important areas for conservation. Portions of the property also lie within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area, further underscoring its environmental importance. In addition to its natural resources, the easement protects more than 27 acres of productive farmland and a site recognized by the Maryland Historical Trust for its cultural significance.

A non-forested portion of the property will also be planted with new trees to meet the City of Annapolis’ “No Net Loss” requirements for the adjacent continuum-of-care community project—helping to offset tree loss and support the site’s long-term ecological health.

“We’re deeply grateful to Janet Richardson-Pearson for her vision and generosity in protecting this remarkable property,” said Josh Falk, Executive Director of Scenic Rivers Land Trust. “Conservation easements like this one show how land protection can be a powerful tool for creating the kind of communities we all want to live in: places where nature, people, and progress can coexist in balance.”

“Having Scenic Rivers as the easement holder gives everyone confidence that these lands will truly remain protected,” said Lily Openshaw, a Scenic Rivers board member and Bay Ridge resident. “Our community’s own ‘Big Woods’ easement is held by Scenic Rivers, so we know firsthand how thorough, reliable, and trustworthy they are as stewards. It’s invaluable to have a partner like Scenic Rivers ensuring that these natural areas in and around Annapolis are cared for forever.”

With this new easement, Scenic Rivers now holds and co-holds nearly 4,000 acres of conserved land across Anne Arundel County, protecting forests, farms, and wetlands that sustain both local ecosystems and the county’s quality of life.

“This conservation easement demonstrates the power of collaboration,” Falk added. “It shows how land conservation can be a real solution that helps communities manage growth, protect what makes them special, and build the kind of places where people and nature thrive together.”

 

About Scenic Rivers Land Trust

A nationally accredited land trust, Scenic Rivers is a private nonprofit dedicated to conserving the special forests, farms, wetlands, and natural areas that sustain Anne Arundel County. To date, Scenic Rivers holds 81 conservation easements across the county, totaling nearly 4,000 acres. To learn about Scenic Rivers’ conservation and stewardship programs, visit SRLT.org.

 

Photo Caption: Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley joins landowner Brian Richardson and Scenic Rivers Executive Director Josh Falk for a walk at Mas Que Farm, now permanently conserved, to explore the property’s forest, farmland, and reforestation plans. (Photo Credit: Steve Tsiopanos for Scenic Rivers Land Trust)