Maryland

Urban Forestry Program

 


 

Schoolyard Grants


Urban Forestry Grant

 

Maryland

PLANT Community

 

Tips for Writing a Schoolyard Forestry Project

 

Sample School Yard Grant Application


Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards



The urban forest can best be defined as ecosystem that consists of all the trees, associated vegetation, wild animal life and other natural resources extending from the town center to the edges of the suburban fringes.


The field of Urban and Community Forestry has evolved into a comprehensive effort to manage, conserve, and enhance forest and tree resources in and around cities, towns, and suburban areas.  Street trees, private lawn trees, trees in parks and stream valleys, as well as small blocks of forest, all play an important role in the lives of urban dwellers.  The benefits provided by urban forests and the challenges in managing them present the urban forester with a unique opportunity to improve the appearance and appeal of our communities.  While traditional forestry looks more at forest products, recreation potential, and wildlife benefits provided by forests, Urban Forestry focuses more on the interaction of trees and people, landscape design, and individual tree management (arboriculture).  But like traditional forestry, urban forestry represents the art and science of managing trees and forests for a variety of societal benefits.


Because of Maryland’s expanding urban/suburban infrastructure, urban and community forestry has become an integral part of the state’s resource management objectives.  In 1943 the Maryland Legislature passed a unique act establishing 24 Forestry Boards throughout the State, one in each county and one in Baltimore City.  Early on these Boards brought together volunteers from each county to discuss traditional forestry issues and provide feedback on policies to the Department of Natural Resources – Forest Service. 


In the last two decades, Maryland’s Forestry Boards have expanded their focus to include urban forestry issues.  In 2003, representatives from Forestry Boards statewide cooperated to form the Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee.  This new group is charged with promoting public education and appreciation of our urban trees and forests through a variety of grant funding programs and public awareness campaigns such as PLANT (People Loving and Nurturing Trees).  The group will also tackle policy issues related to urban and community forestry and endeavor to further improve urban forests throughout the state.

 

Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee

The Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee (MUCFC) is a volunteer group of citizens, professionals, and government officials united to protect and enhance Maryland’s forest ecosystems.  MUCFC is a sub-committee of the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards. The primary function of the Committee are to promote and coordinate the Maryland Community PLANT award program that officially recognizes communities planting and caring for trees, and to administer Grants to schools and communities through there local Forestry Boards that promote planting and care of trees.

 


Schoolyard Grants Applications or Maryland Plant Community -(PLANT) Applications

 

Maryland Urban and Community Forest Committee Members

Updated: August 7, 2008