Lee Yerkes grew up in Cecil County and eventually settled in Talbot County where he appreciates the natural landscape and beautiful wildlife of the Eastern Shore on a daily basis. A longtime supporter of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Yerkes wanted to make sure that his support extended beyond his lifetime. With that thought in mind, Lee chose to include Eastern Shore Land Conservancy in his estate plans, identifying ESLC as a beneficiary in his will. “Lee’s commitment to ESLC through his estate planning will make a difference to us for years to come,” reflected ESLC Director of Finances and Operations Lauren Halterman. “Someone once said that making a planned gift is like planting a tree in whose shade you will never sit. Lee and others who have made bequest intentions are helping to ensure the future of ESLC.” We recently caught up with Lee to learn more about his connection to the Eastern Shore and to ESLC.
What are your earliest memories of the Eastern Shore?
I grew up in the small village of Calvert, near Rising Sun in Cecil County. Cecil County’s economy at the time revolved around agriculture. Dairy farms were all up and down the road and many of my public-school classmates and friends grew up and worked on the family farm. I bailed my first hay at age 12 for $.25 per hour and learned to appreciate the land early in life.
When did you move back to the Shore as an adult?
After graduating from Washington College in Chestertown, my careers took me to Kansas City, Kazakhstan, and D.C.. But during my travels I always considered the Eastern Shore home. When looking at retirement I decided upon St Michaels and moved back to the Shore in 2007. Going across the bridge to the western shore, I know my blood pressure always went up 10%. Coming back, when I got to the top of that bridge, it was like, “Ahhhh.”
What would you say to a retiree who is considering giving to ESLC?
We chose to retire on the Eastern Shore for, among other things, the serenity and beauty of our land and water. Let’s protect them in perpetuity through organizations like ESLC. Since its founding in 1990, ESLC has helped to preserve more than 67,000 acres of land that will never be developed. The pristine land you see on some of these farms… you can come back in 100 years and it’s going to look just the same because of preservation. But once it’s gone, it’s gone.
With so many great organizations to support on the Eastern Shore, why choose to support ESLC?
ESLC has a proven track record of collaboration with like-minded organization, leveraging complimentary resources to achieve common goals.
Can you talk specifically about why you chose to put us in your will?
There are several ways to provide financial support to an organization. I chose to identify ESLC as a beneficiary in my will. That’s my mechanism of supporting the organization. I also make direct contributions every year.
What makes the Eastern Shore such a unique place?
Friendly people, water, farmland, controlled development, minimal traffic congestion, and proximity to D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia.
