Stories
Maryland Couple Transforms Hunting Retreat into 116-Acre Wildlife Haven, Securing Permanent Conservation
- •Louise and John Durocher transformed their 116-acre Kent County hunting retreat, Tavern Creek Farm, into a restored landscape of native grasses, wildflowers, wetlands, and forests over two decades.
- •The property is now protected by a permanent conservation easement through the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Durocher family, preventing future development and preserving wildlife habitat and water resources.
- •The couple converted former agricultural fields into diverse habitats by planting native species like river birch, white oak, and pawpaw, creating grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, and hedgerows.
- •The farm includes 26 acres of wetlands and over 9,000 feet of Tavern Creek frontage, crucial for stormwater retention, nutrient cycling, and supporting diverse wildlife, including beavers, otters, and numerous bird species.
- •The conservation easement ensures the ecological features of Tavern Creek Farm are protected for future generations, building on prior conservation efforts and allowing the family to continue enjoying the land responsibly.
Key Questions Answered
Tavern Creek Farm is a 116-acre property located in Kent County, Maryland, that was originally purchased as a hunting retreat. Over two decades, the owners converted the agricultural land into a restored landscape of native grasses, wildflowers, wetlands, and forests.
The property is protected by a permanent conservation easement established through the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Durocher family. This legal agreement restricts future development rights to preserve wildlife habitats, wetlands, and water resources while keeping the land privately owned.
The farm features approximately 26 acres of wetlands, over 9,000 feet of Tavern Creek frontage, warm- and cool-season grasslands, and new woodlands planted with species like white oak and river birch. Conservation officials and the family have documented ospreys, beavers, otters, muskrats, and various bird species using the restored landscape.
