Forest Stewardship...care and concern about our woodlands...pride in our ability to wisely manage our forests today and benefit from them tomorrow as well...recognition of the value of our forest resource.

Thousands of individual landowners can contribute to the future environmental quality and economic stability of Maryland by managing forest land according to a resource conservation plan. Ninety percent of Maryland's forest land is owned by private woodland owners. Forest land is one of our greatest natural resources and if taken care of, can offer long term benefits for everyone. Private landowners are encouraged to practice forest stewardship and leave the land and its resources in better condition for future generations. Managing forest resources ensures the continuation of many forest benefits including improved water quality, wildland species and habitat diversity, recreation, timber, aesthetics and air quality. A well thought out resource conservation plan helps landowners identify and recognize the value of their forest land and better predict the effects of any resource activity. Private and public forestland can be certified as sustainable, recognizing and rewarding good stewardship. Lands certified as sustainable forests are eligible for green forest products markets and emerging ecosystem services markets.

• Maryland’s Family Forests Facing Increasing Risks
  More than 75% of Maryland’s forestlands are family-owned forests!

  Maryland’s family forests are faced with several challenges that threaten to degrade the ecological, economic, and recreational value of the land. If these valuable forestlands vanish we all lose! .    (Adobe Acrobat file 197KB) - To get the free Acrobat Reader go to Adobe.com.

• Forest Ownership in Maryland

  The U.S. Forest Service's National Woodland Owner Survey (www.fia.fs.fed.us/nwos) is conducted to improve our understanding of who owns the forests of the United States, why they own them, how they use them, and what they intend to do with them. This information is used by foresters, educators, and researchers to create programs, policies, and services that better meet the needs of forest owners and society. The family forest results below are a summary of the 78 owners from Maryland who participated between 2002 and 2006.

• Forest Stewardship Strategic Plan 2002-2006

  Forest Stewardship is the application of economic and ecological principles to manage forest land. The purpose of the program is to help non-industrial forest landowners achieve their land management objectives and leave the land and its resources in better condition for future generations.    (Adobe Acrobat file 197KB) - To get the free Acrobat Reader go to Adobe.com.

• Forestry Assistance to Landowners

  The Forest Stewardship Plan provides the landowner with professional and technical information needed to manage and conserve forest resources. The Forest Stewardship Plan acts as a working plan and is a guide to the proper management.

• Landowner Service Fees

  To help landowners care for their land, the Maryland DNR Forest Service offers a variety of programs to offer technical and financial assistance. These programs cover establishment, protection, planning and management of forests. A brochure is available that outlines the services provided and any associated fees.

• Cost Share Assistance

  The Farm Services Agency (USDA-FSA) and the Maryland DNR Forest Service (MDNR-FS) provide cost share assistance programs to landowners to help defray the cost of forest improvement practices. Environmental Quality Incentive Program - EQIP Woodland Incentive Program - WIP Glatfelter Pulpwood Company

• Forest Conservation and Management Program

  The program is a legal agreement between the landowner and the Department of Natural Resources and is recorded in the land records of the county in which the property is located. The landowner agrees to manage their forest land according to a management plan that is prepared for the property.

• Forest Legacy in Maryland

  The program is designed to identify and protect environmentally important forest lands through the use of perpetual conservation easements between willing sellers and willing buyers. Only private forest land in a Forest Legacy Area is eligible for the program.

• Income Tax Modification Program

  This program allows eligible participants to deduct double the cost of reforestation and timber stand improvement practices, less any cost-share assistance received through other programs (FIP, WIP, EQIP, etc.).

• Forestry Extension Education

  The University of Maryland Cooperative Extension provides research-based forest outreach and educational programs, publications, and assistance through extension offices found in each county and at regional research & education centers. You may find this information useful if you are a forest or farm landowner, a natural resources professional, an educator, a local or state decision maker, or an environmentally-concerned citizen. Information is provided on a variety of subjects, including: Forest Stewardship Educational Programs Income Opportunities Wildlife Management