The inscription on the plaque attached to the State Forester’s monument at New Germany State Park states the following:
To Preserve, Protect and Promote
Garrett County is the cradle of forest conservation in Maryland. In 1906, in response to a bequest of 2,000 acres of forest land at Swallow Falls by the Garrett Family, the Maryland General Assembly created the Office of the State Forester to promote scientifically sound forest conservation management practices throughout the state. Since then the individuals who have served in that office have moved Maryland to the forefront among the states in wise management. It is in tribute to their devotion and hard work that this living memorial is dedicated.
Officials dedicated the State Forester’s Monument at New Germany State Park around 1981 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Maryland Forest Service. At this time, State Forester Tunis Lyon had recently taken over leadership of the forest service after the retirement of Pete Bond, the fourth state forester since 1906 when the position of state forester was established.
During the 75th anniversary of the State Forest and State Park Service, Tunis Lyon asked state forest public land managers to compile histories of the state forest they managed.
One work resulting from Lyon’s request was a 895-page history published in 1996 of Green Ridge Forest entitled, “The Land of the Living,” written by former forest manager John Mash.
For the 75th anniversary of the Maryland Forest Service, Pete Bond compiled a brief history of the Maryland Forest and Park Service in 1979.
Click here to view and download this document.
Pete Bond was one of our more “history-minded” forest officials. He always carried a pocket notebook in his front shirt pocket, ready to capture at a moment’s notice a thought or tidbit of information. Pete Bond loved his work.
Bond’s passion for his forest conservation career was perhaps best captured in this quotation attributed to the former state forester:
“I worked with two of God's greatest creations: People and trees, the highest order of the animal kingdom and the highest order of the plant kingdom, an unbeatable combination."
GPS Wayside Point
N 39 38' 02.1"
W 79 07' 17.1"
Photographs (top to bottom):
- Photo of Offutt Johnson at the State Forester's Monument at New Germany State Park. Photograph taken in the fall of 2012.
- Photo of Tunis Lyon, Maryland State Forester (1979-1983)
- Photo of John Mash, Green Ridge State Forest Manager (1971-1988)
- Photo of Maryland State Forester Adna R. "Pete" Bond (1968-1977)
Acknowledgements:
Maryland State Forests and State Parks
Significant Monuments and Landmarks In Garrett County, Maryland
By Offutt Johnson and Champ Zumbrun
July 11, 2013
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