Greenbury Point Conservation Area

Greenbury Point Conservation Area, one of the last remaining natural areas at the mouth of the Severn River on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis and a popular public destination for nature lovers, runners, anglers and dog walkers, faces an immediate risk for development by the Naval Academy Golf Association/Naval Academy Athletics Association into an exclusive golf course. Such a development would cause serious and irreparable damage to the environment and an area steeped in pre-Colonial and colonial history that is home to three iconic radio towers once used for communication with submarines.

There is already a Navy golf course on the Greenbury Point peninsula which was recently renovated and several golf courses in the Annapolis area. There is nothing else like Greenbury Point, designated a conservation area under the Naval Support Activity Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan required under federal law, available here. Greenbury Point is one of the few places in Annapolis where residents and visitors can recreate and experience nature along the Chesapeake Bay, and it should be preserved unimpaired for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. It is also fully within the boundary of the Maryland Critical Area, designated by the state of Maryland as crucial to the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Chesapeake Conservancy has partnered with Severn River Association and Chesapeake Bay Foundation in opposition to this ill-conceived proposal. Recently, 25 nonprofits signed a joint letter to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro in opposition and the two U.S. senators and two representatives also wrote a letter voicing their concern.

We Need Your Help

Please consider taking the following actions:

  1. Sign the petition sponsored by Chesapeake Conservancy and Severn River Association at www.change.org/p/save-greenbury-point and share the petition with your networks.
  2. Join the grassroots efforts and stay informed by joining “Save Greenbury Point” on Facebook.
  3. Please write to the following members of Congress listed below and ask them to pass legislation that would permanently protect Greenbury Point Conservation Area. If you are not a resident of Maryland, please write to your member of Congress and carbon copy these four offices. To find out your representatives in Congress, please go to the following website: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member

The Honorable Ben Cardin
United States Senate
509 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

www.cardin.senate.gov

The Honorable Chris Van Hollen
United States Senate
110 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

www.vanhollen.senate.gov

The Honorable C.A. Ruppersberger
U.S. House of Representatives
2206 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

www.ruppersberger.house.gov

The Honorable John Sarbanes
U.S. House of Representatives
2370 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

www.sarbanes.house.gov

Stay Informed

News coverage to date:

  • PropTalk, January 11, 2024: “Conservation Victory for Greenbury Point”
  • What’s Up? Media, December 30, 2023: “Congress Protects Popular Walking Trails on Chesapeake Near Annapolis”
  • Maryland Reporter, December 26, 2023: “Congress Protects Popular Walking Trails on Chesapeake Near Annapolis”
  • The National Herald, December 22, 2023: “Rep. John Sarbanes Shares Year in Review, 2023 Legislative Accomplishments”
  • Congressman John Sarbanes, December 22, 2023: “Year in Review: 2023 Legislative Accomplishments”
  • Southern Maryland Chronicle, December 18, 2023: “Congress steps in to protect popular walking trails on Chesapeake waterfront”
  • Chesapeake Bay Magazine, December 18, 2023: “Federal Bill Protects Public Walking Trails At Historic Navy Property”
  • BayNet, December 16, 2023: “NDAA Provision Helps Protect Greenbury Point Conservation Area”
  • Anne Arundel County Maryland, December 15, 2023: “County Executive Pittman Issues Statement on NDAA Provision to Protect Greenbury Point”
  • Chesapeake Bay Journal, December 15, 2023: “Congress steps in to protect popular walking trails on Chesapeake waterfront”
  • Eye on Annapolis, December 15, 2023: “Daily News Brief”
  • Center Maryland, December 15, 2023: “Maryland legislators secure Greenbury Point protections in congressional defense spending bill”
  • The Baltimore Banner, December 15, 2023: “Congress just blocked a Naval Academy official’s plans for a new golf course”
  • E&E News PM, December 14, 2023: “NDAA would preserve Chesapeake Bay access, upgrade ports”
  • Patch, December 14, 2023: “Popular Trail Appears Saved After Golf Course Stalls In Annapolis”
  • News Pub, December 14, 2023: “Maryland legislators secure Greenbury Point protections in congressional defense spending bill”
  • What’s Up? Media, December 14, 2023: “NDAA Provision Helps Protect Greenbury Point Conservation Area”
  • The Baltimore Sun, December 14, 2023: “Maryland legislators secure Greenbury Point protections in congressional defense spending bill”
  • The Capital Gazette, December 14, 2023: “Maryland legislators secure Greenbury Point protections in congressional defense spending bill”
  • Congressman John Sarbanes, December 14, 2023: “Sarbanes, Van Hollen, Cardin Secure Provisions to Codify Public Access to Greenbury Point in Senate-Passed Defense Bill”
  • Ben Cardin | U.S. Senator for Maryland, December 14, 2023: “Cardin Lauds Senate Passage of NDAA”
  • Chris Van Hollen | U.S. Senator for Maryland, December 14, 2023: “Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Secure Provisions to Codify Public Access to Greenbury Point in Senate-Passed Defense Bill”
  • The Capital Gazette, October 22, 2023: “Reader Commentary | Gladchuk is the root of the problem” – Capt. Al Nadolski
  • The Capital Gazette, October 15, 2023, “Reader Commentary – Environment was a priority during Navy stadium renovation” – Ellen Moyer
  • The Capital Gazette, October 15, 2023, “Eric Smith cartoon for the Capital”
  • The Capital Gazette, October 6, 2023, “The battle for Greenbury Point rages on | Commentary” – Gerald Winegrad
  • The Capital Gazette, September 29, 2023, “Plans set in motion to fully enclose Greenbury Point firing range”
  • The Capital Gazette, September 27, 2023, “Lawmakers need to urge Biden to make Greenbury Point a national monument | Commentary” – Robert Waldman
  • Washington Post, August 20, 2023, “Annapolis’s history must be preserved | Opinion” – Sue Steinbrook
  • The Baltimore Banner, July 17, 2023, “Greenbury Point should be part of a Chesapeake Bay national park”
  • The Capital Gazette, July 17, 2023, “Maryland congressional delegation moves to keep Annapolis Greenbury Point open to the public”
  • Chris Van Hollen | U.S. Senator for Maryland, July 17, 2023, Van Hollen, Cardin, Sarbanes Secure Language to Halt Changes to Greenbury Point Access in Annual Defense Bill”
  • The Washington Post, June 16, 2023, “Opinion | The Navy should back off another Annapolis golf course” – Tom Jurkowsky
  • Club and Resort Business, June 15, 2023, “News of Potential Jack Nicklaus Course Once Again Riles Environmentalists”
  • The Washington Post, June 13, 2023, “Potential Jack Nicklaus golf course tees up environmentalists’ fury”
  • Shipmate, June 2023, “Alumni Update”
  • Chesapeake Bay Magazine, May 23, 2023, “Feedback Wanted On Navy’s Plan  To Build New RV Park At Severn River’s Greenbury Point”
  • The Capital Gazette, May 5, 2023, “The battle of Greenbury Point; let’s save an important ecological site | Commentary” – Gerald Winegrad
  • Stars and Stripes, January 27, 2023, “Maryland lawmakers urge more public input on Navy’s proposed Greenbury Point ‘danger zones'”
  • The Capital Gazette, January 26, 2023, “Cardin, Van Hollen and Sarbanes urge more public input on Navy’s proposed Greenbury Point ‘Danger Zones’”
  • The Capital Gazette, December 30, 2022, “Commentary | After depressing 2022, let’s make kindness a priority in 2023″ – Gerald Winegrad
  • The Baltimore Banner, December 30, 2022, “Unlikely Predictions for 2023, June”
  • The Capital Gazette, December 25, 2022, “We need to preserve Greenbury Point” – Rebecca Wilde
  • The Capital Gazette, November 20, 2022, “A push to reopen Greenbury Point | Reader Commentary”
  • Patch.com, October 20, 2022, “Anne Arundel County Executive Debate: Analyzing Pittman Vs. Haire”
  • The Baltimore Sun, October 20, 2022, “Four takeaways from the Anne Arundel County executive debate between Steuart Pittman and Jessica Haire”
  • The Capital Gazette, October 20, 2022, “Four takeaways from the Anne Arundel County executive debate between Steuart Pittman and Jessica Haire”
  • WTOP, October 19, 2022, “Haire, Pittman sling insults in Anne Arundel debate, but find they have plenty to agree on, too”
  • Maryland Matters, October 19, 2022, “Haire, Pittman sling insults in Anne Arundel debate, but find they have plenty to agree on, too”
  • The Capital Gazette, October 18, 2022, “Jessica Haire, Steuart Pittman debate Anne Arundel issues in county executive forum | VIDEO – Greenbury Point”
  • The Washington Post, October 4, 2022,“Opinion | Annapolis doesn’t want a new Navy golf course” – Tom Jurkowsky, Annapolis
  • Annapolis Creative, October 4, 2022, “Boasting about removing large trees is par for the course with the Naval Academy Golf Association – delving into the press releases and rhetoric about a second golf course”
  • The Capital Gazette, October 2, 2022, “Reader Commentary: Buckley wrong on Greenbury Point resolution” – David Means, Annapolis
  • Naval District Washington, September 29, 2022, “Greenbury Point FAQ”
  • The Capital Gazette, September 23, 2022, “Annapolis City Council Votes Down Resolution Opposing Golf Course at Greenbury Point”
  • Meanwhile, in Annapolis, September 23, 2022, “Sometimes a Hat Is More than Something that Just Covers Your Head”
  • The Capital Gazette, September 13, 2022, “Annapolis City Council Moves Forward with Fall Legislation Schedule After August Recess”
  • The Capital Gazette, September 13, 2022, “Providence Point Project Has Reached Critical Point”
  • The Baltimore Sun, September 6, 2022, “Saving the Chesapeake Bay: How the Small Things All Add Up”
  • Bay Weekly, August 25, 2022, “On the Hunt for Biodiversity”
  • The Leader (Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community), August 23, 2022, “Morning Coffee”
  • Military Times, August 22, 2022, “Battle over New Naval Academy Golf Course Is a Double Bogey”
  • The Navy Times, August 22, 2022, “Battle over New Naval Academy Golf Course Is a Double Bogey”
  • The Capital Gazette, August 21, 2022, “Navy Should Focus on Important Issues, Not Golf”– Retired US Navy Rear Admiral Tom Jurkowsky, Annapolis
  • The Capital Gazette, August 21, 2022, “Commentary: Golf,Conservation Can Coexist at Greenbury Point” – Former Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer, Annapolis
  • The Capital Gazette, August 21, 2022, “Commentary: Greenbury Point Golf Course Plan Is Incompatible with Conservation” – Annapolis County Council Member Elly Tierney, Annapolis
  • The Southern Maryland Chronicle, August 18, 2022, “Navy Golf Course Proposal on Chesapeake Bay Shorelines Hits Roadblock”
  • Association of Defense Communities, August 18, 2022, “In Our Communities”
  • Club & Resort Business, August 17, 2022, “US Navy Halts Talks on Proposed Golf Course””
  • Patch, August 17, 2022, “Proposed Golf Course Falls Through After County Suggests Park Instead”
  • MSN, August 17, 2022, “Proposed Golf Course Falls Through After County Suggests Park Instead”
  • Eye on Annapolis, August 17, 2022, “Daily News Brief”
  • Baltimore Business Journal, August 17, 2022, “8 Things You Need to Know this Morning”
  • The Capital Gazette, August 17, 2022, “Navy Pauses Consideration of Competing Plans to Lease Greenbury Point; Navy Athletic Official Still Seeks Golf Course”
  • Meanwhile in Annapolis, August 16, 2022, “Exclusive: Naval Academy Athletic Association Ready to Submit its Proposal for Greenbury Point””
  • WTOP-FM, August 16, 2022, “A Popular Nature Area in Annapolis will Remain Unchanged after Competing Bids to the Navy”
  • Inside Climate News, August 16, 2022, “The Navy Abandons a Plan to Develop a Golf Course on a Protected Conservation Site Near the Naval Academy in Annapolis””
  • The Baltimore Banner, August 16, 2022, “The Navy Abandons a Plan to Develop a Golf Course on a Protected Conservation Site Near the Naval Academy in Annapolis””
  • What’s Up Annapolis, August 16, 2022, “Chesapeake Bay Foundation Statement on Competitive Leases at Navy’s Greenbury Point”
  • Eye on Annapolis, August 16, 2022, “Daily News Brief”
  • The Chesapeake Bay Journal, August 16, 2022, “Navy Golf Course Proposal on Chesapeake Bay Shorelines Hits Roadblock”
  • The Capital Gazette, August 15, 2022, “Navy Will no Longer Consider Proposals by Anne Arundel County or Golf Association to Lease Greenbury Point”
  • WMAR-TV, Channel 2, ABC, August 15, 2022, “Naval Academy Wants Golf Course, Community Wants to Preserve Greenbury Point”
  • Yahoo! News, August 15, 2022, “Naval Academy Wants Golf Course, Community Eyes Preserving Greenbury Point”
  • The Washington Post, August 15, 2022, “Navy Says Dueling Lease Proposals for Greenbury Point not under Consideration”
  • Annapolis Creative, August 15, 2022, “Navy Says Proposals from Naval Academy Golf Association and Anne Arundel County ‘No Longer Possible to Consider’”
  • Chesapeake Bay Magazine, August 15, 2022, “USNA Golf Development at Greenbury Point Off the Table (For Now)”
  • Chesapeake Bay Magazine, August 15, 2022, “County-Run Park Proposed to Save Greenbury Point from USNA Golf Course Plan”
  • The Capital Gazette, August 15, 2022, “Commentary:Recreational Importance of Greenbury Point” –Bob Cawood, Annapolis
  • The Hill, August 14, 2022, “Opposition Builds Against Plan to Turn Naval Academy Park on Chesapeake Bay into Golf Course”
  • On Cue Sports, August 14, 2022, “Opposition Builds Against Plan to Turn Naval Academy Park on Chesapeake Bay into Golf Course”
  • The Capital Gazette, August 14, 2022, “Letter to the Editor:Save Greenbury Point” –Izabela Sweeney, Annapolis
  • The Baltimore Banner, August 13, 2022, “News Quiz”
  • Meanwhile in Annapolis, August 12, 2022, “After Failing to Unlock Holly Beach Farm, County Exec Turns to Greenbury Point”
  • The Washington Post, August 11, 2022, “Md. County Petitions Navy for a Park, Not a Golf Course, at Disputed Site”
  • Inside Climate News, August 11, 2022, “Anne Arundel County Wants the Navy’s Greenbury Point to Remain a Wetland, Not Become an 18-Hole Golf Course”
  • Club & Resort Business, August 11, 2022, “US Navy Asked to Drop Golf Course Plan in Favor of Conservation Area”
  • The Baltimore Sun, August 11, 2022, “Countering Navy’s Plan for a Golf Course, Anne Arundel County Executive Proposes Lease of Greenbury Point as Conservation Area”
  • The Capital Gazette, August 11, 2022, “Anne Arundel County Executive Wants to Lease Greenbury Point as a Conservation Area, in Place of Navy Golf Course Plan”
  • WTOP-FM, August 11, 2022, “Anne Arundel Asks to Lease Conservation Area Navy Plans to Turn into Golf Course”
  • Eye on Annapolis, August 11, 2022, “Daily News Brief”
  • Eye on Annapolis, August 10, 2022, “Pittman to Navy: Anne Arundel County Wants to Lease Greenbury Point”
  • The Capital Gazette, August 10, 2022, “Navy Should Reject Greenbury Point Golf Plans”-Jim Scott, Arnold
  • The Capital Gazette, August 7, 2022, “Greenbury Point Is a Treasure”– Ooana Page, Annapolis
  • The Capital Gazette, August 7, 2022, “Greenbury Point Rich in Plant, Animal Life”-Jessy Oberright, Annapolis
  • The Washington Post, August 4, 2022, “The Navy Tees Up a New Threat to Chesapeake”-Mike Brinck, Bethany Beach, Delaware
  • The Washington Post, August 4, 2022, “The Navy Tees Up a New Threat to Chesapeake”-Blair Caviness, Luray
  • The Washington Post, August 4, 2022, “The Navy Tees Up a New Threat to Chesapeake”- S. Representative Betty McCollum, Member of the House Appropriations Committee where she serves as the Chair of the Defense Subcommittee, the Vice Chair of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee, and as a member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Subcommittee
  • What’s Up Annapolis, August 4, 2022, “Water, Water Everywhere, But…”
  • WYPR, August 5, 2022, “Proposed Annapolis Golf Course Inside Environmental Conservation Area Draws Critics”
  • Annapolis Creative, August 3, 2022, “With Missions Off Course, Who Has Oversight of the Incestuous Relationship between the S. Naval Academy, Naval Support Activity Annapolis, Naval District Washington and the Naval Academy Golf Association?”
  • Club & Resort Business, August 1, 2022, “Thought of a Second Naval Academy Golf Course Riles Environmentalists”
  • The Washington Post, July 31, 2022, “S. Naval Academy’s Plan for New Golf Course Angers Environmentalists”
  • On Cue Sports, July 31, 2022, “U.S. Naval Academy’s Plan for New Golf Course Angers Environmentalists”
  • Meanwhile in Annapolis, July 29, 2022, “Sarbanes on Greenbury Point”
  • The Capital Gazette, July 27, 2022, “Letter to the Editor:Greenbury Point, Green Space, Not Golf” –Brian Broderick, Annapolis
  • The Capital Gazette, July 24, 2022, “Letter to the Editor: Greenbury Point Should Not Become a Golf Course” –Mark Halleman, Annapolis
  • The Capital Gazette, July 24, 2022, “Annapolis Greenbury Point Golf Couse Proposal Remains Under Review by the Navy”
  • The Baltimore Sun, July 24, 2022, “Annapolis Greenbury Point Golf Couse Proposal Remains Under Review by the Navy”
  • Inside Climate News, July 22, 2022, “The S. Naval Academy Plans a Golf Course on a Nature Preserve. One MD Congressman Says Not So Fast”
  • The Baltimore Banner, July 22, 2022, “The S. Naval Academy Plans a Golf Course on a Nature Preserve. One MD Congressman Says Not So Fast”
  • The Bay Net, July 17, 2022, “Proposed Navy Golf Course Expansion Faces Backlash”
  • The Capital Gazette, July 17, 2022, “Letter to the Editor: Golf Course Proposal Is Unthinkable” – Angela Carpita, Annapolis
  • The Capital Gazette, July 17, 2022, “Letter to the Editor: Striders Oppose Greenbury Point Golf Course ” – Casey Rayburg, Annapolis
  • The Capital Gazette, July 17, 2022, Political Cartoon
  • The Star Democrat, July 11, 2022, “Course Correction”
  • Southern Maryland Chronicle, July 8, 2022, “Navy Academy golf course draws fire from locals, environmentalists”
  • The Chesapeake Bay Journal, July 7, 2022, “Navy Academy golf course draws fire from locals, environmentalists”
  • The Capital Gazette, June 19, 2022, “Letter to the Editor: Don’t Destroy Greenbury Point” – Hutch Robbins, Annapolis
  • Eye on Annapolis, June 13, 2022, “Daily News Brief”
  • Meanwhile in Annapolis, June 13, 2022, “Well that Certainly Got Everyone’s Attention: Update on the Plan for a New Greenbury Point Golf Course”
  • Eye on Annapolis, June 11, 2022, “Conservation Organizations Commission Survey on Expanded Golf Course at Greenbury Point”
  • sharonleestable.com, June 9, 2022, “Greenbury Point Golf Course Proposal Threatens to Destroy Pristine Environment
  • Patch, June 9, 2022, “Golf Course Proposed in Annapolis, Residents Petition to Stop Project”
  • Annapolis Creative, June 6, 2022, “Public Input and Transparency in Plans Leading to Construction of Cottages at Greenbury Point and 2019 Golf Course Renovation Wasn’t Required”
  • The Capital Gazette, June 5, 2022, “Greenbury Point golf course would benefit public, wildlife” – Michael Collins, Annapolis
  • What’s Up? Media, June 2, 2022, “Marylanders Oppose Developing a Golf Course at the Greenbury Point Conservation Area”
  • The Capital Gazette, May 29, 2022, “Letter to the Editor: Save Greenbury Point Critical Area from Development” – Sue Steinbrook, Annapolis
  • Annapolis Creative, May 16, 2022, “Chesapeake Bay Foundation opposes golf course expansion at Greenbury Point”
  • The Capital Gazette, May 15, 2022, “Letter to the Editor: Can the State Take Action on the Proposed Navy Golf Course?” – Jim Stoops, retired policy analyst with the Maryland General Assembly Department of Legislature Service
  • Annapolis Creative, May 13, 2022, “Citing “serious and irreparable damage to the environment,” Severn River Association and Chesapeake Conservancy opposed to Navy’s golf course expansion”
  • Annapolis Creative, May 12, 2022, “More questions than answers on Navy’s possible leasing of Greenbury Point for golf course expansion”
  • WNAV, May 11, 2022, “US Navy Is Considering Expanding Its Golf Course on Environmentally Sensitive Land of Greenbury Point”
  • The Capital Gazette, May 11, 2022, “Navy considering new golf course at Greenbury Point, concerning environmentalists”
  • The Baltimore Sun, May 11, 2022, “Navy considering new golf course at Greenbury Point, concerning environmentalists”
  • Chesapeake Bay Magazine, May 10, 2022, “Proposal to Expand Navy Golf Course at Annapolis’s Greenbury Point Faces Backlash”
  • Annapolis Creative, May 6, 2022, “Meeting to inform neighboring communities about Greenbury Point postponed”
  • Meanwhile in Annapolis, May 6, 2022, “Navy golf course considers expansion, and Annapolis goes a little nuts over the future of Greenbury Point”
  • Annapolis Creative, May 6, 2022, “Can the U.S. Navy lease the land at Greenbury Point for an expansion of the golf course? Meeting scheduled to explain plans to neighboring communities”
  • Annapolis Creative, May 4, 2022, “U.S. Navy addresses concerns about Greenbury Point”

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