Woodland Owners Urged To Attain Forest Stewardship Plan

Annapolis, MD (June 2, 2010) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service is urging landowners to contribute to the future environmental quality and economic stability of Maryland by creating a forest stewardship plan.

A forest stewardship plan provides the landowner with information needed to manage and conserve forest resources. The plan will lay out actions needed to address the issues associated with the individual’s land and the landowner’s objectives to improve their forest resources over time. It acts as a guide that will assist landowners in incorporating proper land ethics into the management of property.

“Forest land is one of our greatest natural resources and if taken care of, can offer long term benefits for everyone,” said Maryland Forestry Director Steve Koehn. “Managing forest resources ensures the continuation of many forest benefits including improved water quality, wildlife species and habitat diversity, recreation, timber, aesthetics and air quality."

Seventy-six percent of Maryland's forest land is owned by private woodland owners. By practicing forest stewardship, individual landowners can contribute to the future environmental quality and economic stability of Maryland. A well thought out Forest Stewardship Plan helps landowners identify and recognize the value of their forest land and better predict the effects of any resource activity.

There are cost share programs to assist landowners in carrying out management recommendations made by a Forest Stewardship Plan. The minimum requirement for a Forest Stewardship Plan is five or more forested acres. This acreage requirement does not include the residence.

The Forest Service restores, manages, and protects Maryland’s trees, forests and forested ecosystems to sustain our natural resources and connect people to the land.

For additional information on any of these programs or to have a Forest Stewardship Plan prepared landowners can contact local forestry offices: Anne Arundel, Calvert, and Prince George’s 410-535-1303, St. Mary’s 301-880-2745, and Charles 301-934-2543.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 467,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov