Forestry class - photo ~ Rob Hoelscher, USFS

Forestry for the Bay was developed through collaboration between the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the US Forest Service and the Chesapeake Bay Program, with support from the Maryland Forest Service, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and the Virginia Department of Forestry. The purpose is to promote sound forest management practices as a way to increase the vitality of the region's woodlands and improve the health of local streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

The goal of the program is to educate landowners about the connection between healthy woodlands & clean water and that the healthiest woods are managed. The number of private woodland owners in this region is increasing rapidly as forestry budgets to address their needs are shrinking. Forestry for the Bay is intended to help fill that service gap.

Forestry for the Bay is also designed to complement existing state and independent forest stewardship programs rather than duplicate them. The program is managed by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, supported by a diverse advisory committee and partnerships with government agencies, industry, land owner groups, environmental organizations, and land trusts.