Sussex County Land Trust to dedicate newest acquisition Sept. 8
The Sussex County Land Trust will hold a dedication ceremony for its newest land preservation acquisition, Chase Oaks Preserve, at 2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8, at the preserve near Lewes. Parking will be available across the street at the DRB Homes model home, 30019 Chase Oaks Drive, Lewes.
Chase Oaks Preserve is a 32-acre conservation property located along Robinsonville Road, a rapidly developing corridor in Sussex County. The property, donated to SCLT by Chase Oaks DE, LLC with support from DRB Homes, will be permanently protected and managed as open space and natural habitat.
The preserve features 2,570 feet of frontage along Robinsonville Road, including approximately 25 acres of mature hardwoods and 7 acres of cleared land along the frontage. Its preservation ensures that this vital landscape will remain protected for future generations, providing both ecological value and a scenic buffer in a growing area of the county.
“We are incredibly grateful to Chase Oaks DE, LLC and DRB Homes for this generous donation,” said Sara Bluhm, SCLT executive director. “Public and private partnerships like this make our mission possible. Chase Oaks Preserve is a wonderful example of how thoughtful development and land preservation can coexist, leaving a lasting impact on Sussex County.”
To support the property, DRB Homes has signed a developer agreement with SCLT pledging that $500 from every home sold in the Chase Oaks neighborhood since July 1, 2025, will be donated to the trust. This innovative model represents a joint contribution from both the builder and the home buyer, supporting long-term land preservation in Sussex County.
SCLT has established similar agreements with other regional builders, including K. Hovnanian at Tower Hill in Lewes and all new homes in The Peninsula near Millsboro, and previously received similar contributions from Schell Brothers. These partnerships demonstrate how developers and home buyers can work together to balance responsible growth with lasting conservation. The trust welcomes conversations with other builders and developers interested in exploring similar collaborations.
The dedication ceremony will include remarks from representatives of SCLT, Chase Oaks DE, and DRB Homes, followed by a small reception at the DRB Homes model home.
For more information about the Sussex County Land Trust and how to get involved, go to sclandtrust.org.
