Conversation Fund Earns "Best Land Deal" Award For Chesapeake Bay Project

The Washington Business Journal in their annual "Best Real Estate Deals" awards has recognized a conservation project for the first time, naming The Conservation Fund's Holly Beach Farm the "Best Land Deal of 2001." In an extremely complex land deal that included a bargain sale, fee acquisition, conservation easement and management plan, The Conservation Fund acquired the 300-acre Holly Beach Farm, adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, in order to preserve its exceptional scenic value, wildlife habitat and three miles of sensitive shoreline.



On Earth Day last year, The Conservation Fund announced that it would acquire and protect Holly Beach Farm, an area that joins Sandy Point State Park as the gateway to the Chesapeake Bay and Annapolis. Thanks to a partnership that includes the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a conservation-minded landowner and the Fund, the land will continue to host nesting bald eagles, a rookery of herons, migrating ducks, geese by the thousands, white tail deer and other native wildlife.



"It's a special honor to be the first conservation project to receive a Best Real Estate Award from the Washington Business Journal," said Lawrence A. Selzer, president of The Conservation Fund. "As early pioneers of integrating smart conservation - conservation that is strategic and proactive - as well as smart development - development that is environmentally sensitive and economically viable, we salute the Journal for recognizing that conservation and development belong on the same stage."



The award was presented at a dinner held at the International Trade Center at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC on April 4, 2002. In its fifth year, the awards ceremony sponsored by the Washington Business Journal is designed to recognize the best real estate deals in the region. The evening featured winners from 17 categories including, Gannett USA Today that won for best overall real estate deal.



The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization, acts to protect the nation's legacy of land and water resources in partnership with other organizations, public agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals. Seeking innovative conservation solutions for the 21st century, the Fund works to integrate economic and environmental goals. In 2001, the Fund launched the Center for Conservation and Development to advance smart conservation and smart development.



Since its founding in 1985, the Fund has helped its partners safeguard wildlife habitat, greenways, community "greenspace" and historic sites totaling more than 3.2 million acres throughout the nation. Headquarters are in Arlington, Virginia.


Posted: 4-10-2002