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Below is a listing of the latest additions and hot news from the Maryland DNR Forest Service.

Hidden Treasures

Money may not grow on trees, but heat, electricity, liquid fuel, and even plastics do. Children can learn how through The Hidden Treasure, an educational comic book from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). This teaching tool shows young people and families how woody biomass from our nation's woodlands can provide a wealth of products and energy resources.

Forest Conservation and Goal Setting

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working with many partners to Develop a Maryland-specific Forest Conservation Goals.

Maryland's Emergency Response Plan for Invasive Forest Pests
(Adobe Acrobat file) - To get the free Acrobat Reader go to Adobe.com.

Invasive species have been called a "catastrophic wildfire in slow motion." In recent times, significant increases in the movement of people and trade goods around the world have coincided with the transport of plant and animal species to new ecosystems where they often cause significant damage. Both the departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources have identified invasive insects and disease-causing organisms as major threats to our State's forest resources. In response to this threat, we have coordinated our scientific, management, and partnership resources under an emergency response plan. Maryland's Emergency Response Plan for Invasive Forest Pests is intended to identify agency roles and a plan of action for early detection, rapid response, control, and management.

Riparian Forest Buffer Design and Maintenance

Riparian forest buffers (RFBs) are essential components of maintaining long-term stream and watershed health and resilience in the Chesapeake Bay region. RFBs also provide valuable ecological functions for wildlife habitat and biodiversity. 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.

Threats to the urban forest: Emerald Ash Borer

The emerald ash borer, an exotic insect pest affecting ash trees, was detected in Maryland in 2003. To control this threat to our ash trees, Maryland has developed a remediation plan that is a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). MDA is responsible for the detection and removal of the pest and the DNR Forest Service is responsible for remediation efforts.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service wants to know if this service is helpful for you or your company, please send comments and/or suggestions to Maryland DNR.

Updated June 27, 2007