Counties Approve of Efforts to Educate on Forestry Best Practices

On February 8, 2023, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko submitted testimony to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in support of SB 0282 – Maryland Forestry Education Fund – Establishment.

The bill’s cross-file, HB 0289, will be heard in the House Environment and Transportation Committee on March 3.

SB 0282 would establish the Maryland Forestry Education Fund as a special, non-lapsing fund for the purpose of enhancing the Maryland Forestry Foundations ability to provide educational resources to local governments. In effect, this bill builds on the good work already being done at the county level to promote healthy and sustainable forests, through ensuring that district forestry boards and local governments have the know-how and resources to make real forestry best practices in the State.

From the MACo Testimony:

Maryland’s forests are one of her most fantastic natural resources. Preserving those resources is critical both for a healthy environment and for a thriving economy. Counties have been at the forefront of forest preservation, as can be seen from the numerous conservation efforts in each jurisdiction. By establishing a fund under the Maryland Forestry Foundation, this bill would enhance the Foundation’s ability to conduct outreach and education efforts, aiding local governments in preserving more forest land. SB 282 would build on the work of counties by providing additional resources for local government leaders in the forest conservation field.