“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Greek Proverb
Plant a tree, practice sustainable forestry, or join others working to protect and restore our forests.You can make a difference! Here are seven easy ways to make a difference:
Planting trees is the best thing you can do overall for a healthier, sustainable environment. Consider one of the programs listed below to help you plant your own trees. Here’s good guidance on how to plant a tree from American Forests.
Plant a tree in your yard and get a $10 coupon for a point-of purchase discount off the price of each qualifying tree ($25 and greater) from one of our 30 nursery and garden center partners. Download your coupons and get an informative brochure about the reasons why you should plant a tree in your yard, what species to consider, how to plant your tree, and the names and location of our 30 participating retailers.
This program provides low-cost trees for community organizations to plant trees on public lands and community open spaces. Order your trees through DEPRM and get free delivery of 10 or more trees to your community.
Contact us about reforestation opportunities if you and your neighbors live in a large-lot rural residential subdivision and have “excess” lawns adjacent to streams that you would be willing to return to forest. This program is especially well suited to development built under R.C.4 zoning regulations, with 3+ acre lots. Ideally, you will want a 50-100 foot or greater area to be added along an existing stream or forest buffer. Consider only planting areas that you are willing to commit to long-term forest cover and maintanance. We’ll meet you on your property, discuss what might be planted and what you will need to do for maintenance, and we will install your reforestation for you!
Adopt an area near your home or elsewhere in your community and monitor regularly for establishment of invasive plant species, especially along forest edges. Plants such as Japanese honeysuckle can strangle and climb over trees. Ailanthus creates an allopathic reaction through its root system that poisons other native plants, allowing for rapid colonization of forest edges. Check the web resource sites for appropriate methods to manually or chemically control specific invaders. Or join with others in the war on invasive plants - Information about organizations and programs in the metropolitan area is available from the Maryland Native Plant Society’s web site list for local habitat restoration projects such as the Herring Run Watershed Association’s Baltimore County weed warrior outings.
Apply for a conservation easement through public or non-profit land preservation programs. You may be eligible for property or income tax credits for protected woodland. Read about Assistance for Forest Landowners from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and consider their Forest Conservation and Management Agreement (FCMA) program for landowners with more than five acres of forested land. Or find information about conservation options through the Maryland Environment Trust's Land Conservation Center and their Conservation Easement program.
Consider volunteering with DEPRM’s Forest Sustainability Program. Contact us to match your interest and skills with our current opportunities and needs.
Back to top
Revised October 17, 2007
Courthouse 