Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Campus

Experience the Chesapeake Bay watershed at Hard Bargain Farm through nature, history, and recreation

Alice Ferguson Foundation

Quick Facts

Location:

2001 Bryan Point Rd, Accokeek, MD 20607

Significance:

At the Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Campus, The Alice Ferguson Foundation preserves Indigenous heritage, fosters conservation, and advances education within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Designation:

Chesapeake Gateways Network Site

MANAGED BY:

Alice Ferguson Foundation

Amenities

4 listed

Beach/Water Access, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Pets Allowed

At the Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Campus, the Alice Ferguson Foundation offers visitors an opportunity to experience the Chesapeake Bay watershed through nature, culture, history, recreation, and stewardship. This Chesapeake Gateways Network Site manages more than 225 acres within the park and additional private land, protecting diverse habitats and one of the nation’s longest freshwater shorelines along the Potomac River.

Visitors can walk forest and meadow trails, watch for bald eagles and great blue herons, or kayak the river with sweeping views of Mount Vernon. The emergent wet meadow showcases native plants and wildlife, while interpretive programs highlight the enduring heritage of the Piscataway people, whose principal village once stood here. The park also preserves sacred sites, including the resting place of Chief Turkey Tayac.

Educational programs engage thousands of students each year in hands-on learning about water quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. To ensure these school programs can take place without interruption, the environmental campus is closed to the public during the school week. However, visitors are welcome to attend year-round community events to explore the site’s Living Building Certified Environmental Center, Maryland’s first, along with LEED Platinum Certified facilities that demonstrate sustainable design. Annual stewardship events, including Potomac River cleanups and invasive species removal, invite volunteers to take part in restoring the watershed.

The Alice Ferguson Foundation connects visitors with the Chesapeake Bay through recreation, conservation, and cultural discovery. To learn more and plan a visit, explore their website.