Criterion 6: Maintenance and enhancement of long-term multiple socioeconomic benefits to meet the needs of societies

Forests are not only important ecologically, but they are also invaluable economically and socially. In Maryland the timber products industry is the fifth largest in the State, generating over two billion dollars and providing over 14,000 jobs annually. There are also many non-timber products that are economically important, such as foods and medicines. Forests also provide revenue to the State’s economy through tourism, hunting, fishing, and other recreation-related expenditures. Maintaining resource-based industries like the forest products industry is very challenging in a rapidly urbanizing state like Maryland.

Humans receive many social and cultural benefits from forested lands as well. The natural beauty of a forested landscape, areas of special historic or religious significance, and the cultural and spiritual connections many people have to forests are a few of these benefits. Although forests are a renewable resource, they can be lost to development, over- harvested and mismanaged. Forest management practices, for both economic and social objectives, can be implemented to ensure sustainable use of forest goods and services for current and future generations

Criterion 5	Criterion 7