The Nature Conservancy is a national, non-profit conservation organization committed to the preservation of natural diversity through the protection of lands containing the best examples of all components of the natural world. Since its incoropration in 1951, over two million acres of forests, prairie, islands, and wetlands throughout the United States have been preserved through the Conservancy's efforts. Funds for its land protection programs come from individual donations, foundation grants, corporate gifts, and the Conservancy's own land preservation grants.
Recognizing the ecological importance of wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay, the Conservancy has actively worked to protect the finest examples of the various wetland types throughout Maryland. The Maryland Chapter of the Conservancy has undertaken 12 wetland projects in the Bay watershed, acquiring and preserving almost 9,000 acres of wetlands and associated buffer.