The Maryland Master Logger Program promotes safe, environmentally responsible, and sustainable timber harvesting practices across Maryland’s forests. The voluntary program provides professional training and continuing education for logging contractors working on both public and private lands.

For woodland owners, working with a Master Logger helps provide confidence that a harvest operation will be conducted according to recognized professional, environmental, and safety standards. For logging contractors, the program demonstrates a commitment to professionalism, responsible forest stewardship, and continued training in modern forestry practices.

On Maryland State Forest timber sales, Master Logger certification is required for all operators.

Why Sustainable Harvesting Matters

Maryland’s forests provide clean drinking water, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, renewable wood products, and important climate benefits. Maintaining healthy forests often requires active management.

Timber harvesting is one of several tools foresters use to improve forest conditions, encourage regeneration of native tree species, maintain age diversity, and reduce vulnerability to insects, disease, invasive species, and severe weather. When properly planned and implemented, harvesting can help sustain forests that are healthier, more resilient, and better able to support long-term ecological and economic benefits.

Poorly planned operations, however, can damage streams, soils, residual trees, and future forest productivity. The Master Logger Program was developed to promote high professional standards and responsible harvesting practices that protect both forest resources and landowner interests.

Professional Training and Standards

Maryland Master Loggers complete training and continuing education related to:

• Forest management and silviculture
• Harvest planning and layout
• Erosion and sediment control
• Stream and wetland protection
• Logging safety and OSHA requirements
• First aid and CPR
• Wildlife and habitat considerations

The program also maintains reciprocal training agreements with neighboring states, helping support consistent professional forestry standards across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Protecting Water Quality and Forest Resources

Protection of streams, wetlands, and the Chesapeake Bay watershed is a core part of Maryland forestry operations. Master Logger training emphasizes forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) designed to reduce erosion, maintain water quality, and minimize impacts to surrounding forest resources during harvesting activities.

These practices include stream buffers, road stabilization, stream crossing protection, harvest layout, and erosion and sediment control measures.

Additional information is available on the Best Management Practices for Forest Harvests page​.

Woodland Owner Resources

Landowners considering a timber harvest are encouraged to work with both a qualified consulting forester and a professional logging contractor.

The University of Maryland Extension Woodland Stewardship Education program provides publications, webinars, online courses, and additional resources related to timber harvesting, wildlife habitat, invasive species, forest health, and woodland stewardship.

A current Directory of Maryland Master Loggers is also available through the program.

For a list of consulting foresters, visit the Directory of Consulting Foresters.

Contact Information

For information about the Maryland Master Logger Program, contact the University of Maryland Extension Woodland Stewardship Education program at 301-432-2767, or [email protected].

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