Maryland Forestry Boards
Across Maryland, twenty-four local forestry boards—one in each county and Baltimore City—work directly with citizens, landowners, and partners to help keep our forests healthy, productive, and resilient.
Originally established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1943 as Forest Conservancy District Boards (FCDBs), these volunteer boards were created to promote responsible forest management on private lands. For more than 80 years, they have played an important role in advancing stewardship across the state and supporting Maryland’s goals for clean water, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience.
Today, forestry boards continue this tradition of service by connecting statewide forestry priorities with local action and community engagement.
In collaboration, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Forest Service and the Maryland Forestry Foundation provide guidance, coordination, and resources to ensure that local volunteer efforts align with regional and statewide forestry goals.
County forestry boards serve as local advisory and outreach groups, bringing together volunteers with a passion for stewardship and a deep connection to their communities. Their strength lies in local knowledge, partnerships, and a commitment to hands-on engagement.
Board members support forestry and conservation by:
- Promoting forest conservation, tree planting, and environmental education
- Representing local priorities and perspectives to statewide forestry partners
- Building partnerships with schools, civic groups, and landowners
- Translating statewide forestry goals into meaningful local action
Through these efforts, forestry boards help ensure that Maryland’s forests remain a valued and visible part of community life.
Partnership Statement
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Forestry Foundation operate in formal partnership to advance a unified vision for Maryland’s Forest Conservancy District Boards and County Forestry Boards.
Through the Maryland Forest Service, the Department provides statutory authority, professional forestry leadership, and statewide oversight for the Forest Conservancy District Boards established under Maryland law. The Maryland Forestry Foundation serves as the umbrella organization for County Forestry Boards, providing structural support, financial transparency, and shared resources that strengthen volunteer capacity and local engagement statewide.
Within this framework, statutory governance and organized volunteer service operate in alignment. This partnership connects statewide direction with coordinated county-based action, building a strong and enduring network committed to conserving, restoring, and sustaining Maryland’s forests for present and future generations.
Activities
Forestry board members participate in a wide range of programs and initiatives that promote forest stewardship and environmental education across Maryland. These activities may include:
- Hosting workshops and outreach events for landowners and the public
- Supporting the Natural Resources Careers Camp
- Assisting the Maryland Big Tree Program (nominations and tree measurements)
- Participating in the Maryland Urban & Community Forestry Committee grant program
- Assisting with local Envirothons, Earth Day events, and community tree plantings
- Coordinating the Arbor Day Poster Contest
Critical Harvest Timber Plans: By law, the boards are mandated to review and approve all timber harvest plans within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and in their respective counties upon request. Forestry Boards collaborate closely with local foresters and primarily function as advisory, educational, and facilitating bodies.
Education and Landowner Engagement: Forestry boards play an important role in connecting woodland owners with the information and resources they need to manage their forests sustainably. Through workshops, outreach events, and partnerships with professional foresters, board members help landowners better understand forest stewardship, conservation practices, and available forestry programs.
Membership
Membership is open to local residents or landowners within the county or those with professional or community ties to forestry within the county, in addition to a willingness to actively support your board’s initiatives. Members are passionate about stewardship and have varied backgrounds and expertise, such as forest landowners, forestry, natural resource, or environmental professionals, agricultural or rural interests, education, youth, or community engagement perspectives, and more!
Interested in joining? Contact your local forestry board and fill out the application.
