Program
Open Space
This is Maryland’s landmark initiative to invest in the very landscapes that make Maryland home—our parks and playgrounds, forests and farms, trails and historic treasures. It’s a model of smart, sustainable investment: local dollars creating lasting public good.
It’s powered by the Transfer Tax, a small fee on real estate transactions that directly supports land conservation and
public access.
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How It Works
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The Transfer Tax (.5%) generates revenue from property sales.
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Funds are distributed to state and local governments.
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Investments are made in parks, heritage areas, and natural landscapes.
Why It Matters
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Boosts local economies through tourism and outdoor access
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Preserves farmland and natural habitats
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Supports community health and recreation
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What's Happening Now
Photo Credit: Audubon Mid-Atlantic
247,000 acres of open space protected for Maryland state parks and natural resource area
280,000 acres of farmland preserved under
MALPF easements
127,000 acres protected through Maryland Environmental Trust’s voluntary easements
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Maryland’s open space programs have also supported the creation and improvement of more than 300 local parks and conservation areas, while preserving 31,000 acres of local parkland across counties and municipalities. The state has established 21 Rural Legacy Areas to protect culturally and ecologically significant landscapes, further strengthening community access to natural spaces and long-term conservation outcomes.
Photo Credit: Chesapeake Conservancy