In 1943, the Maryland Legislature passed an Act creating Maryland’s Forest Conservancy District Boards. There are 24 such Boards in Maryland, one in each county and one in Baltimore City. Members are appointed by the Director of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service and serve three-year terms. The Boards act as advocates of sound forest management practices and promote conservation of Maryland’s forest resources. Boards are involved in educational activities, planting of school forests, timber harvest plan review, and other activities.

Maryland ’s Forestry Boards can be an effective ally for local governments and landowners who are concerned with the conservation and stewardship of public and private forest resources, and can offer valuable insight and advice on forest management issues. Because the Boards are county-based, individual Boards can develop a keen understanding and awareness of local issues associated with conservation and management of our forest resources. Each year the Boards, along with the MD Department of Natural Resources, sponsor a week-long workshop for high school students who contemplate pursuing careers in resource management. The Forestry, Conservation, and Natural Resources week provides an opportunity for students to learn by working directly with professional resource managers. Here they can gain insight into the complexities of managing Maryland’s vital natural resources.

Garrett Forestry Board Accomplishments

Garrett County Forest Conservancy District Board members annually contribute over 700 hours to promoting the wise use of Maryland’s tree and forest resources.

• Environmental Education Workshops for Garrett and Allegany County teachers were offered and facilitated by Board Members using Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, and Project WET.

* * * * *

• The Board has donated books, videos and CD ROMs to each library throughout the county school system to promote forest conservation and increase accessibility to environmental education materials.

* * * * *

• The Board has given funds and assisted the planting of trees for Arbor Day and school forest projects. School forests have been established at Loch Lynn Elementary, Dennett Road Elementary, Route 40 Elementary, Grantsville Elementary, Accident Elementary, Southern Middle, Northern Middle, and Northern High. An additional demonstration planting has been established at Garrett College.

* * * * *

• The Board has sponsored day trips to the Fernow Experimental Forest in Parsons, W.VA., to provide teachers and students with the opportunity to observe over 50 years of continual forest research. Participants visited several watersheds and discussed the effectiveness of different Silviculture treatments (“cutting practices”).

* * * * *

• The Board has sponsored fall field trips for teachers and students during National Forests Products Week to highlight the impact of the Forest Products Industry to the economic well-being of the county. Participants viewed and discussed a marked timber sale, witnessed a timber harvesting operation, visited clear cut areas at various stages of re growth, and toured a sawmill and wood moldings manufacturing plant.

* * * * *

• The Board annually sponsors two students to the Forestry, Conservation and Natural Resources Week held at Hickory Environmental Education Center in
  Accident, MD.

* * * * *

Garrett County Forest Facts

• 297,800 acres or 72% of Garret County is forested.

* * * * *

• There are 155 certified Tree Farms® in Garrett County covering 21,796 acres.

* * * * *

• An estimated 18,000,000 Board Feet of Hardwoods are harvested in Garrett County each year.

* * * * *

• There are 27 Primary Forest Products Industries in Garrett County. These produce hardwood and softwood lumber, pulpwood, paper products, veneer logs, mulch and firewood.

* * * * *

• Employment in Secondary Wood Products Industries from Garrett County exceeds 270 and includes manufacturers of stakes, decks, fences, furniture, cabinets, moldings, mantles and stairs.

* * * * *

• Six members of the Maryland Association of Christmas Tree Growers are located in Garrett County, providing holiday enjoyment for hundreds of families.

* * * * *

• Forest recreation facilities in Garrett County include Savage River State Forest, Potomac State Forest, Garrett State Forest, Mount Nebo Wildlife Management Area, Deep Creek State Park, Herrington Manor State Park, Swallow Falls State Park, and New Germany State Park.

* * * * *

• The Forest Products Industry is the largest industry in Western Maryland, and the fifth largest industry in Maryland. 15,432 people are employed statewide with earnings of over $420 million dollars.

Website Maintained by AD Web