Sustainable Forestry Council Final Report
Over the past several years, multiple reports, directives and laws have made plain that working lands like forests and farms are critical to Maryland's economy, community and environment. These have included the Sustainable Forestry Act of 2009, Chesapeake Forest Conservation Directive 06-1 and The State of Chesapeake Forests report.
The Sustainable Forestry Council utilized the findings of these previous efforts and new information to advise the Department of Natural Resources on timely forest conservation issues and appropriate actions to help Maryland implement a no net loss of forest policy. The recommended actions build on existing programs and regulations including the recent development of Watershed Implementation Plans to meet the Total Maximum Daily Load requirements for the Chesapeake Bay, the Forest Conservation Act, and local planning and zoning requirements. Click here to read the
Council’s report.
The Sustainable Forestry Act of 2009 (SB549) was landmark legislation that expressed the importance of Maryland’s forest to the environmental and economic well-being of the State. One section of the Act replaced the Forest Advisory Commission with the Sustainable Forestry Council. The purpose of this Governor appointed Council is to advise the Department on all matters related to:
- sustainable forestry management in the State,
- the expenditure of funds from the Woodland Incentive Fund,
- existing regulatory and statutory policies that are perceived as economic barriers to a viable forest products industry,
- new markets to enhance forest health, including renewable energy development through biomass energy, to offset fossil fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
- creative strategies to help privately owned forest lands better compete with real estate market values that are driving forest conversion and fragmentation,
- the means to promote forest-based economies and processing capability that contribute to economic and employment growth and
- assigning a nutrient benefit to forest stewardship plans and other forest conservation management plans that can be measurably tracked and reported by the number of forested acres covered by the plans.
The Council will be staffed by the Department of Natural Resources – Forest Service.
Meeting Dates
Minutes and Agendas
November 10, 2020
November 10, 2020 - Agenda
September 22, 2020
September 22, 2020 - Agenda
May 26, 2020
May 26, 2020 - Agenda
January 27, 2020
January 27, 2020 - Agenda
December 13, 2019
December 13, 2019 - Agenda
October 28, 2019
October 28, 2019 - Agenda
July 11, 2019
July 11, 2019 - Agenda
April 9, 2019
April 9, 2019 - Agenda
February 12, 2019
February 12, 2019 - Agenda
December 20, 2018 - Agenda
November 2, 2018 - Agenda
November 2, 2018
August 28, 2018 - Agenda
August 28, 2018
January 22, 2018 - Agenda
January 22, 2018
December 4, 2017 - Agenda
December 4, 2017
September 14, 2017 - Agenda
September 14, 2017
May 22, 2017 - Agenda
May 22, 2017
January 27, 2017 - Draft Agenda
January 27, 2017
December 13, 2016 - Agenda
December 13, 2016
September 27, 2016
June 7, 2016
March 22, 2016
January 19, 2016
December 1, 2015
September 15, 2015
May 12, 2015
March 4, 2015
December 15, 2014
September 23, 2014
May 20, 2014
February 18, 2014
September 10, 2013
July 9, 2013
May 7, 2013
March 26, 2013
January 22, 2013
November 27, 2012
September 11, 2012
May 3 & 4, 2012
March 13, 2012
November 22, 2011
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November 8, 2011
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October 4, 2011
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September 13, 2011
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June 21, 2011
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April 28, 2011
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March 15, 2011
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February 14, 2011
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January 18, 2011
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November 23, 2010
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October 26, 2010
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September 23, 2010
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June 3, 2010
Presentations
Sustainable Forestry Council Members - 2020
Alberto Goetzl, Chair
Dream Catcher Farm, LLC
Adamstown, MD 21710
Gary Allen
Center for Chesapeake Communities
Annapolis, MD 21401
Kim Finch, Vice-Chair
MNCPPC, Prince George’s County Planning Department
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Bryan Seipp
Center for Watershed Protection
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Elizabeth Hill
Dorchester Forestry Board
Linkwood, MD 21835
Donnelle Keech
The Nature Conservancy
Cumberland, MD 21502
Bill Rees
Catonsville Tree Canopy Committee, Utility Arborist Association
Catonsville, MD 21228