Several hikes scheduled throughout the year. Difficulty levels and trails vary with each hike.
See Registration Form for Details.
Connecting People to the Land
Since its inception in 1986, ACLT has been providing environmentally sustainable public access to managed properties for educational, scientific, recreational, and cultural purposes. ACLT's 26 miles of trails crisscross creeks and streams and meander through wildlands and a variety of forest types, offering the visitor an opportunity to witness wildlife in its natural environment. ACLT and its partners have preserved over 4800 acres of land in the Parkers Creek and Governors Run watersheds. ACLT promotes land conservation and preservation throughout Southern Maryland. Guided hikes, canoe trips, and events are offered throughout the year. ACLT also manages a small farm that uses regenerative practices to raise produce that is donated to the local food pantry.
North Side Trailhead:
All trails open.
South Side Trailhead:
All trails open.
PF2Bay Trail:
Open.
Trail Map
Explore the Land
Enjoy guided canoe trips & 22 miles of trails
Care for the Land
Help the land, the wildlife & the mission
Farm the Land
Donating earth-friendly produce to food pantries
Calendar of Events
ACLT has lots of fun events planned for 2024!
Click here to view the full Calendar of Events.
RECENT BLOG POSTS
Live Facebook Feed
American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 2 days ago https://conta.cc/4a7a1Cz ... See MoreSee Less Volunteers Needed for Upcoming Events American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 2 weeks ago Become an Osprey Nest Watcher in the Name of Science | Chesapeake Bay Magazine ... See MoreSee Less Become an Osprey Nest Watcher in the Name of Science | Chesapeake Bay Magazine American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT updated their profile picture. 2 weeks ago American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT updated their profile picture. 2 weeks ago American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT updated their cover photo. 2 weeks ago Join the Southern Maryland Active Recreation & Transport Alliance (SMARTA) for a bike ride through the beautiful trails at ACLT on Saturday, June 1st! (Rain Date: Sunday, June 2nd) American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 3 weeks ago ACLT's Earth Day 5K & Guided Family Hike ... See MoreSee Less ACLT's Earth Day 5K & Guided Family Hike Can you register on day of the event or preregistration only? American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 4 weeks ago ACLT is currently accepting applications for the Parkers Creek Conservation Society (PCCS), a private group of conservation-minded hunters who manage the white-tailed deer population on ACLT land. There are a very limited number of spaces available. Please read and fill out the application form if you are interested. https://www.acltweb.org/HuntingApplication24 American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 4 weeks ago Advance copy of ACLT's Spring Newsletter Now Available! Plus News & Upcoming Events! https://conta.cc/3xBeiQZ ... See MoreSee Less Spring 2024 Newsletter Preview American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 1 month ago We're excited to announce that race shirts are now available for ACLT's Earth Day 5K Trail Run & Hike from Wear Your Spirit Warehouse, conveniently located just south of the 2/4 split in Sunderland. Register for the 5K today at https://form.jotform.com/ACLTForms/… and order your shirt at https://wearyourspiritwarehouse.com/ACLT/shop/… in time for the event! ... See MoreSee Less American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 1 month ago Now on ACLT's Youtube Channel: "Family Highlights from the Parkers Creek Heritage Project". This event was hosted at the Calvert Library in February. Watch this video by clicking the following link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nGZcHHyaNo ... See MoreSee Less American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 1 month ago A new painting by one of the artists participating in Art for All Seasons at ACLT ... You can find this view I painted last fall behind the greenhouse at the North Side Trailhead. Love the painting AND the description!! Will this piece be for sale? Love your description. Love it Beautiful! American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT is with Calvert County Animal Shelter. 1 month ago Thank you, Calvert Animal Control for enforcing the County's leash laws at ACLT. We appreciate it! ... See MoreSee Less So very glad to see this. It is so much safer for everyone when people follow the rules. Thank you!! The south side trails could use some education regarding that as well. American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 2 months ago Open to ALL ACLT Volunteers - New & Experienced! ... See MoreSee Less Sign up for ACLT Volunteer Training-Sunday, April 7th (plus additional events added) American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 2 months ago Be sure to get out on the trails to see the ephemerals before they're gone! Photo: Bloodroot on Horse Swamp Trail by Dave Farr (ACLT Board President) - March 16, 2024 American Chestnut Land Trust - ACLT 2 months ago Learn all about the proposed new Maryland wildlife refuge. Jay M Sheppard
Bikers will meet at 9 AM at ACLT’s South Side Trailhead (1985 Scientists Cliffs Rd, Port Republic, MD 20676).
The route includes the East Loop Trail, known for its gorgeous mountain laurel blooms in late spring, and the Oriole Trail, highlighted by four stream crossings on wooden bridges.
Bikers are invited to ride at their own pace. The route is approximately 4.3 miles long and can be repeated as many times as each rider would like. Please note that the ride includes a short section of road but will primarily take place on dirt trails that have hills, tight turns, and roots. See photos of the trails below.
The event is open to the public, and snacks and water will be provided at the trailhead.
NOTE: The South Side Trailhead Parking Lot, East Loop, and Oriole Trail will be CLOSED TO HIKERS during the event. ... See MoreSee Less
NOTE: APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY APRIL 28TH ... See MoreSee Less
'After the Rain' by Nicole Stewart Artist
There is something about being in the woods after a rain,
that heightens the senses.
Colors are sharper against black tree trunks.
The air is heavy with the smell of soil, leaf mold, mosses,
and I swear I can sometimes smell the wet fur
of a small animal that just passed by.
And if I stand still enough, I can hear water dripping off the trees,
the scuttle of insects through damp leaves,
and the wind, sighing through the branches.
Nicole Stewart
'After the Rain' (at the ACLT North Trail Head)
12 x 16 oil on canvas panel
© 2023 Nicole Stewart Artist ... See MoreSee Less
POST YOUR PICS IN THE COMMENTS! ... See MoreSee Less
Zoom meeting Tuesday, March 26, from 7-7:45 p.m. hosted by Southern Maryland Audubon.
Learn how you can support the proposed Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland to protect the habitats of birds, fish and other wildlife.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened a 45-day public comment period on the proposal.
Dan Murphy, chief of the Division of Habitat Restoration for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will describe the proposed refuge plan, the opportunities in would bring to land owners and wildlife, and how you can submit comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The proposal would conserve up to 40,000 acres in fee-title acquisitions or easements from willing sellers across four watersheds, helping to conserve habitats that support threatened and endangered species, waterfowl and migratory birds of conservation concern.
To receive Zoom link please email president.somdaudubon@gmail.com. Meeting is open to all. ... See MoreSee Less