Landowners Partner with Scenic Rivers Land Trust to Protect 75 Acres of Forest in Davidsonville
Protected land secured through county and Chesapeake Bay Trust grant program
(DAVIDSONVILLE, MD — December 10, 2025) — Scenic Rivers Land Trust has permanently protected 75 acres of forest in the South River watershed, thanks to a conservation easement granted by landowners Michael and Heather Havlik. The easement was funded through the Anne Arundel County Forestry and Forested Land Grant Program, administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, which covered both the purchase of development rights and Scenic Rivers’ due diligence costs. Public access is not a condition of the easement or the grant program.
This project reflects the county’s continued commitment to protecting its most ecologically important lands.
“Anne Arundel County has committed to conserving 30% of the county’s undeveloped land by 2030. To reach this goal, we need to partner with private landowners who want to protect places like this for future generations,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “I want to thank Scenic Rivers for their work to identify and care for the areas of our county that will have the biggest conservation impact.”
The newly conserved property is almost entirely forested and includes approximately 4,000 linear feet of streams. It offers potential habitat for forest interior dwelling bird species and falls within several of Maryland’s highest-value conservation designations.
“I’ve always loved spending time in the woods, so protecting this land was an easy decision,” said landowner Michael Havlik. “A friend told me about conservation easements, and I was glad to find out it was something I could do here. Our forests and the wildlife they support are important to me and knowing we’re helping keep the forest intact means a lot.”
The land is ranked as significant for biodiversity conservation in Maryland’s Biodiversity Conservation Network (BioNet), which identifies the most critical areas for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity. It is also entirely within Maryland DNR’s Green Infrastructure or Habitat Connectivity Network, a statewide network of natural lands that support ecological resilience and wildlife corridors. The property further aligns with both the Anne Arundel County Comprehensive Plan and the Green Infrastructure Master Plan, underscoring its importance to countywide conservation goals.
The Forestry and Forested Land Grant Program provides funding for private landowners who wish to permanently conserve forested properties. Scenic Rivers Executive Director Josh Falk highlighted the program’s effectiveness and value.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Anne Arundel County not only for creating this grant program, but continuing to sustain it,” Falk said. “This program has a strong track record of helping us protect the county’s most important forested lands and shows what’s possible when public and private partners work together. Funding for land conservation is more important than ever, and programs like this encourage private landowners to join us in reaching our shared conservation goals. Permanent land conservation doesn’t happen by accident. It takes willing landowners, committed public partners, and community investment.”
By granting the easement, the Havliks have ensured the forest, streams, and habitat on the property will remain protected forever, contributing to cleaner waterways, healthier ecosystems, and long-term benefits for the South River watershed and Anne Arundel County.
“Permanent protection of land like this is a real win for the county and the watershed,” said Dr. Jana Davis, president of the Chesapeake Bay Trust. “We’re grateful to help steward a program that makes these projects possible, empowering community groups like Scenic Rivers to conserve our natural resources.”
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 82 conservation easements across the county, totaling over 4,000 acres. To learn about Scenic Rivers’ conservation and stewardship programs, visit SRLT.org.
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