Photo courtesy of Chesapeake Bay Program

Forests for the Bay

Educating Landowners about Healthy Forests and Clean Water

The Alliance coordinates Forests for the Bay, an education and outreach program for landowners who are interested in actively managing their woodland and/or restoring woods on their property.

Forests for the Bay training, events, newsletters, and workshops actively encourages woodland owners to continue providing natural benefits for themselves and their neighbors through management, easing access to conservation funding, and developing educational initiatives. Workshops include “Your Woods and Your Wallet,” “Real Forestry for Real Estate,” “The Woods in Your Backyard,” “Discover your Woods,” and “Family Succession Planning.”

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Forests for the Bay serves as a clearinghouse of information and resources to help landowners improve the vitality of the woodlands, increase wildlife habitat and protect water quality, generate income, and overall enjoyment of their property.

Forests for the Bay Blogs

Buckets of freshly cut live stakes are stored in the back of a car.

Live Staking: A Trusty Technique for Planting Trees and Shrubs on the Cheap

Live staking (or propagation by cutting) almost seems too good to be true. Cut a stem from certain species of trees and shrubs and drive it into the ground, and a new plant will grow there! This method, if executed correctly, has a high success rate, and can be a very affordable if not free …

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Forests for the Bats, Part IV: White-Nose Syndrome

In October, bats are everywhere. Images of them, at least. The mammals typically are hibernating by Halloween, tucked away in caves and deep rock crevices. Summertime is when you will see real bats around, but if you live in the northeast or mid-Atlantic, you have likely seen dramatically less bats foraging in the summer dusk …

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Ailanthus seedling growing through cracks in concrete in Lancaster, PA.

Tree-of-Heaven, a Devilish Invader

Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima): a tree that elicits curses and anger wherever it grows and is recognized. The non-native plant’s angelic name belies its destructive nature. It spreads prolifically by seeds and root sprouts, forming thick groves that completely dominate sunny areas within just a few years. Beneficial native plants are quickly outpaced, shaded out, and replaced …

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Red maple

The Rubrum Cunundrum

Over the vast many years that I have been interacting with our region’s forest practitioners and enthusiasts, I have observed that many of us harbor a profound and deep emotional relationship to particular species of trees. These emotions run the gamut from effusive adoration to downright animosity. Some species are almost unanimous in the passions …

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Nominate a Chesapeake Forest Champion

[two_fifth ][imageframe link=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/29388462@N06/23225422080/” ] To help celebrate International Year of Forests, the U.S. Forest Service and partners are launching a new annual contest to recognize forest champions throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Forests provide clean water and air, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and a host of other benefits to people. With around 100 acres of …

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Forestry Course for Realtors

[imageframe link=”/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/house3-500×375.jpg” ] Private forestland plays a vital role in helping to maintain water quality and overall watershed health.The Alliance’s Forestry for the Bay program has developed and is offering a four hour professional course for Maryland realtors. In Maryland, and throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, private forestland plays a vital role in helping to …

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Forestry Training for Real Estate Professionals

[one_full class=”acb-img-content-wrap” ]In Maryland, and the Chesapeake Bay watershed as a whole, private forestland plays a vital role in helping to maintain water quality and overall watershed health. During the past two decades there has been a rapid increase in the number of forest landowners in the region. Often the only person many new landowners …

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2013 Chesapeake Forest Champions Honored

Download the full Press Release: 2013 Chesapeake Forest Champions Honored (.pdf) Shepherdstown, WV The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and US Forest Service announced the 2013 winners for the Chesapeake Forest Champions contest. The purpose of their annual contest is to recognize the outstanding efforts of individuals and groups to conserve, restore and celebrate forests …

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2015 Chesapeake Forest Champions Honored

Craig Highfield, left, of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay presents Christine and Fred Andreae with the 2015 Forest Champion Exemplary Forest Steward Award.(September 26, 2015 – Shepherdstown, West Virginia)  The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the US Forest Service presented the 2015 Chesapeake Forest Champions awards at the 10th Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum …

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Learn More About Our Forests

A large part of this collaborative effort to educate and provide resources for forestry landowners is the Forests for the Bay newsletter. This monthly newsletter is bursting with stories, regional events, trivia, and more! Sign up or read past newsletters by clicking the links below.

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