Work is underway to develop a landscape management plan for Antietam National Battlefield/NPS file

Time has taken a toll on the landscape at Antietam National Battlefield, where park officials are developing a landscape management plan to better protect and preserve historic aspects of the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.

Antietam, in Maryland, is considered one of the best-preserved Civil War areas in the National Park System, attracting approximately 350,000 visitors annually. The farms and farmlands in and near the battlefield appear much as they did on the eve of the battle in 1862 and the terrain and landscape directly affected the outcome of the Battle of Antietam.  

But, time and visitors have taken a toll on the setting. The end goal of the landscape management plan is, among other things, to rehabilitate historic viewpoints, protect 'witness' trees, sustainably manage land uses, including agriculture, native grasslands and forests, improve water stewardship, increase resiliency to climate change, and make for a better visitor experience.

A virtual public scoping meeting will be held on October 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Click here to join the meeting and view the meeting presentation live. Audio for the meeting will be available via computer through the above website link or by dialing (877) 286-5733 (Conference ID: 902 759 352#). A recording of the meeting and meeting presentation materials will also be available for viewing after October 21 at this site.

You also can comment online from October 21 through November 21 at this site.

Written comments may be mailed to the address below. They must be postmarked by November 21, 2021 to receive consideration.

Superintendent
Attn: Landscape Management Plan
Antietam National Battlefield
PO Box 158
Sharpsburg, MD 21782