ESLC is delighted to share two new animated videos that reveal the role of land conservation in protecting the Eastern Shore of Maryland’s aquifers and wastewater systems. These quick videos provide audiences of all ages and backgrounds with an introduction on where our clean drinking water comes from and where our drained water goes. Produced by Early Light Media, they are a benefit to residents, students, local leaders, and professionals who want to understand the water we use every single day.
Where does our water come from?
YouTube: youtu.be/X-DIY_upxqg?si=gKGheGPj-Cq8WIK3
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Instagram: tinyurl.com/22w28txa
ESLC’s website: eslc.org/water-conservation-explainer-videos
Where does our water go?
YouTube: youtu.be/CCxy0dMdhUY?si=zWbWlwtu1NlUynZE
Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/v/17FLnEXxJV
Instagram: tinyurl.com/pp8t3843
ESLC’s website: www.eslc.org/water-conservation-explainer-videos
Despite regular news stories revealing the vulnerability of water sources and wastewater systems, it can still be easy to take it for granted. The truth is—clean water is not guaranteed. Here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, our drinking water does not come from rivers—it originates below ground in aquifers. Those aquifers are limited. Sprawl, droughts, pollution, and saltwater intrusion threaten both their quality and quantity. But conserving land can help to protect the water we all share. Responsible wastewater treatment paired with sustainable development protects water quality even further.
“I hope these images come to mind when Eastern Shore decision-makers consider planning and growth options,” commented Alex Gilchrist, retired economist and ESLC board member. “The ability to mediate water proves that Eastern Shore land conservation is an under-appreciated pillar in our collective efforts to preserve the rural economy and the rural lifestyle.”
“Conserving land is not optional, it is essential,” said Steve Kline, President and CEO of ESLC. “Whether the land is public or private, conservation on the Eastern Shore is the crux of our quality of life. Without it we sacrifice our most elementary necessities, from the 74,000 jobs that depend on Delmarva’s natural resources to the very air we breathe and the water we drink.”
“As a provider of water distribution and wastewater collection and treatment, we see firsthand how land conservation directly impacts water quality and supply,” said John J. Horner, President and CEO of Easton Utilities. “ESLC’s great videos raise awareness about our shared responsibility to conserve and protect the Eastern Shore’s natural environment, ensuring it remains vibrant and resilient.”
Established in 1990, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s mission is to conserve, steward, and advocate for the unique rural landscape of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, forever a special place of diverse and abundant natural resources and thriving rural communities.
Mary Smith says
The claim that conservation drives the local economy is wrong. Most of the so-called “green jobs” are temporary, part-time, or funded by public grants. Meanwhile, Talbot’s economy is being suffocated by conservation zoning. These policies block real, lasting employment – the kind that comes from trades, construction, light industry, and local commerce.
Forcing all growth into the towns creates congestion, higher housing costs, and more air pollution from constant traffic. The villages need room to grow too. That’s the only way to keep balance, reduce commuting, care for seniors, and give families a chance to live and work in the same community.
Easton Utilities is a publicly-funded entity. It has no business aligning with controversial advocacy groups. Public institutions must remain neutral and accountable to everyone, not serve as partners or promoters for private organizations pushing specific agendas.