Baltimore County Forestry Board History
The Forest Conservancy District Boards (commonly referred to as Forestry Boards) were established in 1943 when the Maryland Legislature passed the Forest Conservancy District Boards Act to establish a Board in each county and Baltimore City. This Act was said to have created the first comprehensive public regulation of private forested land east of the Mississippi River. The Act encouraged forest practices that would contribute to the maintenance, conservation, and improvement of soil resources and supported the management and economic development of these privately owned forests.
Today, the Forest Conservancy District Boards (along with state and county foresters) act as advocates promoting sustainable forestry practices. Forestry Boards are involved in numerous activities including: the review of proposed timber harvests within their designated areas, sponsoring Tree Farm tours, measuring trees for the MD Big Tree Program, helping with tree plantings, promoting forestry related legislation, providing educational training sessions, etc. Because the Forestry Boards are county-based, individual boards are able to work closely with schools and neighborhood organizations on issues and activities pertinent to their localities.
To unify the Forestry Boards and promote better communication and exchange of ideas, a Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards was established in 1952. The parent agency of all local boards is the Maryland State Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service. Local Board members are appointed by the Maryland DNR and serve three-year terms. Boards are made up of volunteers, all sharing a keen interest in promoting sustainable forestry practices. These volunteers may include (among others): educators, farmers, arborists, loggers, members of community organizations, and/or private forest landowners – anyone willing to donate their time to encourage the wise multiple-use of forest resources is welcome to apply to become a local Board member. Currently more than 200 people volunteer their time as Maryland Forestry Board members.
Each year (for more than 20 years), the Forestry Boards work with the MD DNR in sponsoring a week-long Natural Resources Career Camp at Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County. NRCC is open to high school students contemplating resource-management careers. During this week, students attend hands-on sessions such as: tree identification, forest measurements, GIS and GPS technologies, arborist techniques, soil and water conservation, urban forestry, and wildlife and fisheries management. They attend several fieldtrips (e.g., local sawmill, State Forest, and stream) and work in small groups developing and presenting a forest management plan. Students also attend a college night where they are informed about resource management majors available at both Maryland and out-of-state schools. The option of earning college credits while attending the camp is taken advantage of by many students.
The exact date of formation of the Baltimore County Forestry Board is unknown, but records indicate the 50th meeting was held on Monday, February 7, 1977. Meetings at that time were held on an irregular basis at various establishments throughout the county. The present Baltimore County Forestry Board meets the second Tuesday of every month (except August) at 7 pm at the DNR Cub Hill Ranger Station located at 9405 Old Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21234. These monthly meeting are open to the public and typically conclude by 9 pm.