Winter 2024-2025 Update

The end of 2024 found the Trust beginning plans to create an office on our nearly 60 acre Turner Road property. A conserved property that includes forests, an extensive waterfront along Hellen Creek, a 4 area meadow and a barn near the road. In December 2024, the Trust planted 60 native trees along the eastern border of our property.

Planning is ongoing for capital improvements to the Clifton Drive property as well. The Clifton property includes approximately 100 acres of forest, which features a rare stand of Hemlock trees, deep ravines, and extensive waterfront along the southern boundary of Hellen Creek. Key objectives for 2025 include planning for the demolition and rebuild of the Clifton building, a new kayak launch, and continued habitat improvement.

The Trust is entering our second year of water monitoring of four critical streams feeding into Hellen Creek.  We purchased a Hanna Meter in 2024 that helps us measure PH, Nitrogen, Dissolved Oxygen, conductivity, and Turbidity in each of the streams every quarter. 

The Trust is also working diligently to save the Hemlock stand on the eastern side of the Clifton Property (previously owned by The Nature Conservancy), which consists of approximately 200 overly mature, non-regenerating Eastern Hemlocks. Currently, the staff is working hard to replant Hemlocks as well as protect over 100 seedlings that have been ring fenced for protection from browsing by deer.

Written by: Bruce Fall, Director, Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust