The state enrolled its first Rural Legacy easement in Somerset County, north of Pocomoke City, offering protection to 20 rare wildlife and plant species on 172 acres of fields and forest, said the Nature Conservancy, which worked with the Lower Shore Land Trust and Somerset County to get the funding.

Maryland's Rural Legacy Program was created by the General Assembly in 1997 and provides funding to preserve large contiguous tracts of land and to enhance natural resources, agricultural, forestry and environmental protection while maintaining a sustainable land base for industries that are based on natural resources.

So far, the program has handed over $182.7 million to preserve 62,079 acres.

The Suffolk Farm in Somerset is home to the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, bald eagles

and migratory songbirds, including the Baltimore oriole. The property is also historically significant.

"The house we live in is 240 years old, built by my great-great-grandfather, Captain Whittington Polk," said Chris Miles, who owns the farm with his wife and parents. "This property has been in the Polk-Miles family since Lord Baltimore deeded it to us in 1680. The easement will make sure this legacy is never lost."

State and county officials said they wanted to protect the rural character of the area.

Nat Williams, director of the Nature Conservancy in Maryland-DC, said the Pocomoke River watershed is home to the world's northern-most native bald cypress swamp. The conservation organization has helped protect 15 square miles within the watershed since 1978.

The Lower Shore Land Trust, which hold other conservation easements in Worchester, Wicomico and Somerset counties, will hold this easement along with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Photo of the Baltimore Oriole courtesy of the National Aquarium