Among the first programs of their kind in the nation, Maryland’s Forest Conservancy District Boards have operated under state law since 1943. Today, the boards function across four regions covering all 23 counties and Baltimore City.

Maryland’s 2.6 million acres of forest provide clean water, wildlife habitat, wood products, and open space for residents across the state. Managing that resource requires consistent technical leadership and a strong local presence. The boards extend the reach of the Maryland Forest Service by pairing professional forestry oversight with the experience and judgment of volunteer members rooted in the communities they serve.

Structure and Function

Forest Conservancy District Boards operate at the regional level and are established in state law. They provide governance, ensure consistency with statutory requirements, and coordinate forestry work across jurisdictions. Maryland Forest Service staff support that structure by providing technical direction, regulatory oversight, and day-to-day coordination.

At the local level, County Forestry Boards carry out outreach, education, and program delivery. These boards are volunteer organizations affiliated with the Maryland Forestry Foundation, which provides administrative and financial support. County board chairs serve in an ex officio role on their regional board, maintaining a direct connection between local work and regional decision-making.

What Forestry Boards Do

Board members work alongside Maryland Forest Service foresters to support forest conservation at both the regional and local level.

Under Maryland law, the boards review timber harvest plans within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. That review is coordinated with county foresters, who incorporate board input into formal recommendations.

Beyond that statutory role, the boards serve as the primary way the Forest Service connects with landowners and communities across the state. Their work is practical and locally driven, and typically includes:

• Landowner engagement and technical outreach
  Boards help connect private landowners with forestry assistance, management planning, and cost-share opportunities, often serving as an initial point of contact before formal engagement with the Forest Service.
• Education and workforce development
  Members support school programs, career exposure, and youth engagement, including hands-on events and long-running efforts like the Natural Resources Career Camp.
• Tree planting and stewardship efforts
  Boards organize and support tree plantings, reforestation projects, and follow-up stewardship activities, often in coordination with local governments and nonprofit partners.
• Community-based conservation work
  This includes workshops, demonstrations, and public events that promote forest management, wildlife habitat, and sustainable land use practices tailored to local priorities.
• Program delivery through volunteer leadership
  Many statewide efforts rely on board participation, including the Maryland Big Tree Program and other initiatives administered through the Maryland Forestry Foundation.

Each County Forestry Board develops an annual work plan that aligns local priorities with Maryland’s State Forest Action Plan. These plans guide on-the-ground work and ensure that volunteer efforts are tied to broader statewide goals.

Get Involved

Forestry board membership is open to individuals with an interest in Maryland’s forests and a willingness to contribute time and expertise at the local level. To learn more or find your county board, contact the Maryland Forest Service.

Contact

Maryland Forest Service
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21401
[email protected]​

Maryland Forestry Foundation
124 South Street #3
Annapolis, MD 21401
[email protected]