Forestry Board

The Howard County Forestry Board is a group of professionals and volunteers supporting local forests and trees.

Howard County Forestry Board Initiatives

Tree Grants: the Mini Grant Program was established to provide funds to schools, organizations, and individuals to support forestry related projects. The grant funds up to $1,000 for projects that involve tree planting or educating students about the role trees play in their environment. Funds can cover materials for projects such as the cost of trees and plants, sheltering materials, educational or arboretum signage. Please email hocoforestryboard@gmail.com with any questions. Download the application here or request a Word copy by email.
Natural Resources Careers Camp: This camp is held each summer, providing outdoor, hands-on education about natural resources-related careers. “This week-long adventure, nestled in the scenic mountains of Garrett County, Maryland, is designed for high school students seeking to explore exciting career paths and college opportunities in the realm of natural resources”. The HC Forestry Board provides scholarships for the camp. Learn more about the camp and contact for more information about scholarships.
Big Tree Champions of Maryland: Some of our volunteers track and measure large trees to see if they are the largest of their type in Maryland.
Education and Outreach: Board members engage the public through activities such as staffing information tables at events.

Provided guidance and funding for student-led tree planting projects. Some projects were with the Youth Climate Institute. Students planted 20 trees at Howard High School, 20 trees at Glenelg High School, 9 trees at Mount View Middle School, 20 trees at Long Reach HS. HC Forestry Board members provided technical assistance in site evaluation, tree selection, and advice on how to run a successful volunteer planting.
Supported an Eagle Scout project to identify existing trees, plant new native trees and create arboretum signage in the Emmerson Community in Laurel, MD. HC Forestry Board members aided in funding, tree identification and the review of signage wording.
Provided scholarships for students to attend the Natural Resources Careers Camp. Student participants gain knowledge and training in forestry careers in a hands-on setting with other students from Maryland.
Supported the Big Tree Champions of Maryland program by tracking and evaluating Champion Trees (a Champion tree is the largest officially measured tree of its species in Maryland).
Spoke with approximately 250 people at Howard County GreenFest, while distributing 200 tree saplings for people to plant at home.

Please email any Howard County Forestry Board questions to Elissa Reineck, ereineck@howardcountymd.gov.