WORTON — The Eastern Shore Land Conservancy has permanently protected its 350th conservation easement, Leslie and Vincent M. Raimond’s 62-acre haven of forest, wetland and grassland.
“Our 350th easement functions as a critical keystone in a contiguous block of more than 1,200 protected acres in Kent County,” said ESLC President and CEO Steve Kline.
Home of historic Toad Hall and the Prince Raimond Arts Center, the property is primarily forest, providing extensive riparian habitat for wildlife, especially forest interior dwelling species of birds, and actively benefiting the water quality of Still Pond Creek.
One-hundred-foot forested buffer strips protect flooded beaver habitat, 2,200 linear feet of shoreline, a 3-acre pond and 7 acres of wetlands that support diverse plant and wildlife communities and perform critical ecological functions, including stormwater retention and nutrient cycling.
More than 11 acres of the property are covered by grassland and shrubland, providing valuable open space for ground-nesting birds, turtles, rabbits, butterflies, numerous pollinator species and, of course, toads.
A structural engineer, Vincent M. Raimond moved with his young family in 1954 from the Bronx to Chestertown, where [his family noted] “the Eastern Shore’s beauty and easy pace were a welcome change.”
Soon after their arrival, the Raimonds purchased 62-acre Sandy Hill Farm, which at the time was a truck farm growing produce for local markets. Rather than continuing to work the depleted soil, the family planted trees, redefined meadows and worked with neighbors to create a woodland park.
Original outdoor sculptures began to punctuate the property’s paths and a collection of 18th century farmhouses was assembled into a sprawling manor house, Toad Hall, named after the fictional home of Mr. Toad in Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 novel “The Wind in the Willows.”
“Vincent improved the land by letting it regenerate itself. The fields, waters and woods were essentially left alone to heal naturally, welcoming many birds, fish and creatures of all sorts,” said his wife Leslie. “Trails and meadows were cleared to facilitate walks and enjoyment of the place. We associated this storybook beauty with a favorite book from childhood, ‘The Wind in the Willows.’”
The property has since hosted jazz festivals, artists-in-residence, raku ceramic workshops, hunting parties, poetry readings, memorials, weddings, fundraisers, reunions and community events.
A blacksmithing forge, tennis court, reflecting pool and smokehouse also were slowly added to the property.
The collection includes several artworks from family members, including a large copper crab claw sculpture titled “Feel the Pinch.”
The Raimond family is delighted to finally complete the conservation plans that Vincent first put forward in the 1990s.
“Vincent’s emphasis on innovation and creativity has contributed to the present-day plans to continue supporting projects that celebrate arts, history and the environment,” the Raimond family said in a statement. “The beavers have resurged creating more clear water which has extended the home for wood ducks and all the other creatures who are in need.”
“This is a place for basking in the beauty and health of nature that has been preserved,” the Raimond family said.
