WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION
State of Chesapeake Forests -- Available at
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/stateoftheforests.htm
Urban Watershed Forestry Manual: Part 1
-- Methods for Increasing Forest Cover in a Watershed.
Available from the Center for Watershed Protection, free download
http://www.cwp.org/freeresources.htm.
USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area: State and Private Forestry. Publication NA-TP-04-05. July 2005.
Urban Watershed Forestry Manual: Part 2
-- Conserving and Planting Trees at Development Sites.
Available from the Center for Watershed Protection, free download
http://www.cwp.org/freeresources.htm.
USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area: State and Private Forestry. Publication NA-TP-01-06. May 2006
Montreal Process for Sustainable Forests – Developed criteria and indicators for forestry.
http://www.mpci.org/criteria_e.html. Learn more
about this process that has been employed by Baltimore County.
The Shenandoah River Watershed Yellowpage.
Provides phone numbers to organizations and state agencies in northern Virginia concerned with water quality.
Offered by the Virginia DCR, Shenandoah River Watershed Office, 44 Sangers Lane, Suite 102, Staunton,
VA 24401-6712(540) 332-9991 fax: (540) 332-8956.
URBAN AND
COMMUNITY FORESTRY
“Managed Forests for Healthy Ecosystems.” Pub. 1574 -10M -4/96. The University of Tennessee Agricultural
Extension Service.
www.utextension.utk.edu/publications/default.htm
Planting and Caring for the Trees and Forests Where People Live, Work, and Play, Northeastern Area
State and Private Forestry.
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/urban/index.shtm
Sustainable Forestry: A Guide for Virginia Landowners. VA Cooperative Extension Pub. 420-139.
Jenkins, D.H. and Johnson, J.E. 2003 (revised).
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/420-139/420-139.html
“The Northeast Center for Urban & Community Forestry responds to urban and community forestry
information needs, facilitates and supports new and existing research, and coordinates the exchange of
information among states, that contributes to healthy sustainable communities.” (See STEMS below).
http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/
Urban Forest Research Unit, USFS Northeastern Research Station – Syracuse, NY “The mission
of this research unit is to quantify the effects of urban forests and their management of human health
and environmental quality. Scientists and technical staff conduct and analyze various field measurements
and develop computer programs to better understand the structure, functions, and benefits of urban
forests across the world. Numerous user-friendly tools are also being developed to aid local constituents
in analyzing the structure, functions, health, and value of their own urban forest resource.”
http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/syracuse/index.html
“i-Tree is a state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed software suite from the
USDA Forest Service that provides urban and community forestry
analysis and benefits assessment tools.”
http://www.itreetools.org/
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/urban/treespayusback/index.shtm
Center for Urban Forest Research: “Our research confirms that trees in our community
forests are assets that pay us back.”
http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/cufr/
TreeLink is a great web based portal for the practitioners of urban and community
forestry; their mission “to improve urban and community forests by providing internet-based
information, tools and inspiration.”
http://www.treelink.org/
Human Dimensions of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening: “featuring research on
peoples’ perceptions and behaviors regarding nature in cities.”
http://www.cfr.washington.edu/research.envmind/index.html
Landscape and Human Health Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana – Champaign.
The Landscape and Human Health Laboratory (LHHL) is a multidisciplinary research laboratory
dedicated to studying the connection between greenery and human health.
http://www.lhhl.uiuc.edu/
RIPARIAN FOREST
BUFFERS
Understanding the Science Behind Riparian Forest Buffers: Planning, Establishment, and
Management. Klapproth, J.C. and Johnson, J.E. 2003VA Cooperative Extension Pub. 420-155.
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/420-155/420-155.html
Protecting Stream and River Corridors: Creating Effective Local Riparian Buffer Ordinances,
Seth J. Wenger and Laurie Fowler. Carl Vinson Institue of Government, The University of Georgia,
April 2000.
http://www.rivercenter.uga.edu/publications/pdf/riparian_buffer_guidebook.pdf
Riparian Forest Buffer Maintenance Guide – Maryland DNR Forest Service at the MD DNR website.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/download/rfb_design&maintenance.pdf
Riparian Setbacks: Technical Information
for Decision Makers.
Revised 2006. Chargrin River Watershed Partners, Inc. – Attempts to bring its members the best
available science
to support riparian setback regulations.
Riparian Buffer Modification and Mitigation Manual
-- Has information on invasives, the
Chesapeake Bay Act, native plants list, nurseries selling natives and other good information.
The document can be downloaded chapter by chapter or as a whole from:
www.cblad.state.va.us/publica.cfm or
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/pdfs/VA_Combined_Buffer_Manual.pdf
Riparian Forest Buffer Handbook — Chesapeake Bay Program-- This guide has been prepared
as a resource to the many who wish to establish a forest buffer efficiently, effectively, and
with a minimum of maintenance.
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/search/websitesearch.cfm
STREAMSIDE ASSESSMENTS
Mid Atlantic Highlands Streams Assessment. Assesses the ecological condition of streams
in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands and ranks the potential stressors affecting stream conditions.
August 2000. Available from the EPA, Region 3, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Document EPA-903-R-00-015.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/pdfs/MAHAStreamsAssessment.pdf
Surviving The Storm: Tips to Prepare Your System. Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina.
Geared toward municipal water providers. Available from the Safe Drinking Water Trust at
http://www.watertrust.org/view_tip.asp?tID=42
TOOLS FOR IDENTIFYING INVASIVE PLANTS & INSECTS
USDA Invasive Plants Field & Reference Guide: An Ecological Perspective of Plant Invaders
of Forest and Woodlands. USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station, NA-TP-05-04.,
http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/newtown_square/publications/information_bulletins/NA-TP-05-04.pdf
www.invasive.org -- Website for information on
invasive species.
Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the United States and Their Natural Enemies,
Volume 1. USDA Forest Service and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences FHTET 2005-05, September 2004.
Citizen’s Guide to the Control of Invasive Plants in Wetland and Riparian Areas. A guide
for organizing citizen volunteer groups for invasive species control. Available from the Alliance
for the Chesapeake Bay (717)-737-8622 or by email: srichards@acb-online.org
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/pdfs/ACB_ControlofInvasivePlants.pdf
Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control.
Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS–62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Miller, J.H. 2003.Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, Southern Research Station. 93 p.
http://www.invasive.org/eastern/srs/
Invasive Species Booklet from the National Wildlife Federation - a list of some of the
plants that are best avoided in the garden because they can be weedy or invasive. The lists present
a selection of plants for each state, rather than a comprehensive list of all the plants that might
be undesirable in the state.
http://www.enature.com/native_invasive/invasives.asp
PROGRAMS
Your Guide to Community Forest Assistance Programs
— Maryland Department of Natural
Resources
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/publications.asp
The Landowners Survival Guide: Resources for Agriculture Landowners in Maryland, Virginia,
and West Virginia. Available from Future Harvest CASA, 106 Market Court, Stevensville, MD 21666 or
online at
www.futureharvestcasa.org
“Sources of Funds for Conservation: A Handbook for Landowners and Non-Profit Organizations.”
2003. Piedmont Environmental Council. 53 p.
http://www.pecva.org/conservation/handbook
(although this one really does need some updating due to program merges and changes)
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/pdfs/SourcesofFundsforConservation.pdf
DEVELOPING
AREAS
Growing Green/Growing Home (Baltimore County, MD) Provides homeowner education about the
multiple benefits of planting trees. Included are recommendations for species selection, guidance
on planting and care of young trees and tips on planting trees to lower energy costs and increase
property values. Available from the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and
Resource Management (DEPRM)
http://www.co.ba.md.us/Agencies/environment/growing_home/index.html
URBAN
WATERSHEDS
Forest Friendly Development. Presents case studies of developments around the Chesapeake
Bay Watershed that used various techniques to preserve/enhance remaining forests. Copies are
available from the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, 3310 Market Street, Suite A, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or
www.alliancechesbay.org,
www.chesapeakebay.net, and
www.buildersforthebay.net
Rain garden creation www.RainGardens.org or from
Virginia Department of Forestry “Rain Gardens": A Landscape
tool to Improve Water Quality, Technical Guide (9/30/2005).
www.vdof.virginia.gov
The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home,
Jonathan Kays, Joy Drohan, Adam Downing, and Jim Finley, Natural Resource, Agriculture, and
Engineering Service, Cooperative Extension PO Box 4557, Ithaca, NY 14852-4557. September 2006.
http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Backyard.cfm
Better Backyard: A Citizen’s Resources Guide to Beneficial Landscaping and Habitat Restoration
in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Provides alternative landscaping techniques for homeowners.
Available from the EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/781.pdf
Wetland Webcast Series: Conserving Wetlands Through Land Management
-- provides homeowners
and small business owners information about gardening and other backyard techniques to conserve
wetlands and improve water quality. Available from the Izaak Walton League
http://www.iwla.org/sos/sosweb.htm.
UFORE or Urban Forestry Effects model was developed to help managers and researchers
quantify urban forest structure and its functions. UFORE is designed to use standardized field
data from randomly located plots, and local hourly air pollution and meteorological data to
quantify urban forest structure and numerous urban forest effects for cities across the world.
The model calculates numerous attributes about the urban forest, including:
Species composition
Diameter distribution
Tree health
Species diversity
Exotic vs. native species distribution
The model also calculated various forest functions and values related to tree effects on:
Air pollution
Greenhouse gases and global warming
Pollen
Building energy use
More information is available from the USDA Forest Service, Northeast Research Station in Syracuse, NY at
http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/syracuse/Tools/UFORE.htm
POLICY GUIDES
Forests For The Bay – Lists policies and programs by Chesapeake Bay state. Available from
the Environmental Law Institute
www.eli.org at the link below.
http://www.elistore.org/reports_list.asp?topic=Conservation
Protecting Stream and River Corridors: Creating Effective Local Riparian Buffer Ordinances,
Seth J. Wenger and Laurie Fowler. Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia, April 2000.
http://www.rivercenter.uga.edu/publications/pdf/riparian_buffer_guidebook.pdf
TECHNICAL TOOLS
AND INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS
Buffer$: USDA National Agroforestry Center – CD format with Excel based calculator for
estimating costs associated with adding or removing a grass/shrub/tree buffer. USDA Forest
Service—Southern Research Station. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-GTR-XX, September 2005.
http://www.unl.edu/nac/buffer$.htm
CanVis — visual imaging software for landscape planning, also available from USDA Agroforestry Center:
http://www.unl.edu/nac/simulation/index.htm
Backyard Woods: Tip sheets 1-12. Provide small woodlot landowners tips and techniques
for such subjects as attracting wildlife, generating wood products, protecting clean water, etc.
Available from the National Arbor Day Foundation.
http://www.arborday.org/backyardwoods/tipsheets.cfm
Maryland’s Strategic Forests Lands Assessment (SFLA) Forest Information to Support Land
Use Decisions. Available from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources,
www.dnr.maryland.gov/forests/planning/sfla
Green Infrastructure Valuation — Offered by the Center for Neighborhood Technology.
Provides a calculator to estimate cost savings when green infrastructure elements are entered
in place of traditional practices for a given site size. Available at:
http://greenvalues.cnt.org/green-infrastructure.
Model Ordinances for Aquatic Resource Protection
— Provided by the Stormwater Manager’s
Resource Center; offers 30 examples for use in building ordinances from scratch. Available online at:
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/, under the “ordinances” section.
Listings for Soil Conservation Districts
— Compiled by the
Virginia Department of Forestry Virginia,
Maryland
and Pennsylvania.
STEMS — Street Tree Electronic Management System--a tree maintenance and management
software application that could be distributed to arborists, tree managers, city foresters and
consultants at no cost via the internet, and have it packaged as a stand alone program, requiring
the purchase of no additional computer software. Available from USDA and UMASS,
http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/stems/index.htm
Resource Lands Assessment (RLA). The Resource Lands Assessment (RLA) provides a regional
multi-state look at the most important remaining resource lands in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
The RLA uses GIS models and expert knowledge to assess the value of resource lands within the
watershed, providing guidance to state and local government in land protection strategy development,
serving as an information resource for the land trust community, suggesting conservation focus
areas to complement watershed restoration plans, and identifying areas important to maintain for
the forest products industry . These models can inform growth management and land preservation
planning at multiple spatial scales. Available from the Chesapeake Bay Program at:
http://www.chesapeakebay.net/rla.htm
Resource Lands Assessment Viewer is an online, interactive GIS viewer that utilizes RLA data.
The user can zoom in on selected sites and produce maps that can display more than one RLA layer
at a time. The large RLA files are not needed to run the viewer which is available at
http://maps2.chesapeakebay.net/website/rla/viewer.htm
MID-ATLANTIC
LAND TRUSTS
Appalachian Trail Conservancy (VA, WV, PA, NJ)
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/
Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy (VA)
http://www.blueridgefoothillsconservancy.org/
Brandywine Conservancy (PA, DE, NJ)
http://www.brandywineconservancy.org/
Cumberland Valley Rails to Trails Council (PA) http://www.cvrtc.org/
Delaware Nature Society (DE) http://www.delawarenaturesociety.org/
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (MD) www.eslc.org
Lancaster Farmland Trust (PA) http://www.savelancasterfarms.org/
Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle (WV) http://www.landtrustepwv.org/
Maryland Environmental Trust (MD)
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/met
National Committee for the New River (VA, WV, NC) http://www.ncnr.org/
Natural Lands Trust (PA, DE, NJ) http://www.natlands.org/
New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJ) http://www.njconservation.org/
North American Land Trust (VA, WV, PA, MD, DC, DE, NJ)
http://www.nalt.org/
Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (VA, DC) http://www.nvct.org/
Piedmont Environmental Council (VA) http://www.pecva.org/
Potomac Conservancy (VA, WV, MD, PA) http://www.potomac.org/
Scenic Rivers Land Trust (MD)
http://www.srlt.org/
The Nature Conservancy, Delaware Field Office (DE)
http://www.nature.org/delaware
The Nature Conservancy, Maryland/DC Field Office (MD, DC)
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/maryland/
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (PA) http://www.paconserve.org/
