Maryland pioneered statewide easement purchase in the 1970's with the Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation (MALPF). A number of counties modeled their own PDR programs after the state Program and built in innovative funding and acquisition methods to augment the larger effort. Recent years have seen the dramatic growth of PDR programs, such as Rural Legacy, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Greenprint, and Forest Legacy, each with its own focus. Even agencies that traditionally bought land outright, such as Program Open Space at the Department of Natural Resources and Scenic Byways at the Maryland Department of Transportation, have turned to easement purchase in some situations. The federal government, as well, has recently included funds (USDA Farmland Protection Program) to be distributed to existing agricultural PDR programs around the country.

For landowners in Maryland who may not be in a position to donate conservation easements, this has meant unprecedented opportunities to conserve their properties. Sale of an easement has tax implications, of course. It may help a family's estate tax situation, but the capital gains tax can become an issue. Also, sale of a conservation easement is generally a much slower process than donation. Follow the links in this section to some excellent material on these subjects while checking out the programs.

Keep in mind that in the Fall of 2002 the State of Maryland is facing budget deficits and funding for a number of these programs may become tight. When you make contact with you local program representatives it is important to ask not only about eligibility but also about the current state of funding in your county, how many applicants are in the pipeline, and how long the process is expected to be.