Terry Galloway was born in Evanston, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois. She began working for DNR in 1992 as Volunteer Coordinator for the Forest Service and since 1997 she has served as the Director of the TREE-MENDOUS Maryland Program. Terry lives in Severna Park and enjoys tennis, boating, stock car racing and spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoys sharing what she knows about plants, gardens and landscaping with others.


What exactly do you do as the coordinator of DNR’s TREE-MENDOUS Maryland program?

I direct volunteers to local tree projects, support DNR foresters and rangers, and supply hundreds of communities around the state with tree projects. I also work with schools and students of all ages, scout troops, homeowner's associations, corporations, environmental organizations and other groups that want to volunteer to plant and maintain trees in their local community for the benefit of the environment; in particular, for the health and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. Anyone who plants trees can call them self a TREE-MENDOUS Marylander.

In addition, I promote the Gift of Trees program in which a person can purchase trees to honor, celebrate, or memorialize friends and family. All the money raised goes toward planting trees on public land, frequently by volunteers. I also work to promote the environmental benefits of trees through the purchase, distribution, planting and care of thousands of native trees throughout the state.

What is the most important point you would try to relate to the general public about preserving our state’s resources?

We have to practice sustainability. We have a responsibility as stewards to ensure our grandchildren are not left saddled with a huge environmental bill.

What are your greatest concerns regarding the future of Maryland’s natural resources?

My concern is that we maintain the state’s long heritage of protecting our natural environment. Maryland has always been a national leader in this regard – even internationally -- and I hope we will continue.

What was the last book you read?

The most enjoyable and memorable recent book was Life of Pi by Yann Martel. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time to read for pleasure but that book stands out -- my husband, our oldest grandson, and I all read it while we were touring India in August. It was a funny but serious adventure of a young boy and a 450-pound Bengal tiger shipwrecked on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean for 8 months. The boy was a practicing Hindu, Muslim and Christian - very thought provoking.

Do you have any advice for a novice with a small yard who would like to landscape using some of our native plants and shrubbery?

Practice Bayscaping. Reduce the lawn area by planting mulched beds and groundcovers. Be sure to plant the right plants in the right places – shade vs. sun, wet vs. dry. Plant evergreen shrubs you can cut for holiday decorations and flowers you can cut to bring into the house throughout the growing season.

Any last thoughts, ideas or comments you’d like to include?

I love being outdoors, getting my hands dirty, working hard, planting, nurturing, growing, and observing wildlife. Aside from my work here at DNR, I also volunteer as a Landscape Design Critic with the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, the Annapolis Horticulture Society, the Hollyberry Garden Club, and of course at my own house.

The Maryland Natural Resource...Your guide to recreation and conservation in Maryland.