Forest Health

Registration is now open for two online courses offered by University of Maryland Extension's Woodland Stewardship Education program! Also, learn about that returning pest, the gypsy moth, and how you can use handheld GPS in your woodlands. Our regular features include the "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight," "Invasives in Your Woodland," plus the events calendar, the Brain Tickler challenge, and the News and Notes section.

Learn to be a steward of the land this fall with the University of Maryland Extension General Forestry Course. This online course will be offered beginning Sept.1 through Dec. 15, 2021.

Our course is designed primarily for small-acreage property owners who want to learn how to care for or expand existing woodlands, or to convert lawn space to woodlands. The self-directed, non-credit online course runs for ten weeks, from September 6 to November 15.

Porcelain-berry is a deciduous, climbing, woody vine introduced from northeast Asia in the 1870s. It became popular for its tolerance of adverse conditions and its ability to provide ground cover. However, it is an aggressive plant that invades damp, shady areas such as streambanks, forest edges, pond margins, and disturbed areas, and forms dense mats that crowds out native vegetation.

What methods can be used to control gypsy moths? The key is understanding the life cycle. As stewards of the land, it’s up to us to keep the gypsy moth in check by walking our woods often, keeping an eye open for their presence, and taking the steps necessary to minimize their impact.

The News and Notes roundup for this issue features more kudos for Maryland Forest Service Project Manager Mike Kay, a study about the importance of community forests, news about bats, and an invitation to list your green industry business in a new Extension directory.

The land care practices in "The Woods in Your Backyard" has helped hundreds of property owners and land managers. Our new publications, "Woodland Health Practices Handbook" and "Woodland Health Assessment Checklist," help green industry professionals apply these practices to their business services.

Webinars on a variety of topics related to woodland health and wildlife in Maryland.

The consulting and industrial professional foresters listed in this publication are willing to work with small acreage woodland owners to encourage healthy and sustainable woodlands.

"The Woods in Your Backyard" program has assisted thousands of property owners across the region learn how to get more from their natural areas.