Feature: “Five Million Trees, Please”
Maryland Rolls Out ‘5 Million Trees’ Initiative

For the next eight years the Maryland Forest Service will feature a familiar refrain: 5 Million Trees!

The 5 Million Trees Initiative was mandated by legislation, the Tree Solutions Now Act of 2021. Part of this legislation included a historic directive to plant 5 million native trees on public and private land by 2031. These trees are in addition to standard state planting levels–so with more than six million people living in Maryland, at least one tree will be planted for each resident by 2031. Read more.

A Home for the Herd: Conservation Easement Protects Unique Agricultural Property

The preservation of natural areas and agricultural land often go hand in hand, or in some cases, hoof in hoof. This year, a treasured agricultural resource in Queen Anne’s County has been protected forever through the work of the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET).

The Aspen Institute, owner of property on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that houses the Wye Angus Program of the University of Maryland, granted MET and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy Inc. a conservation easement on more than 586 acres of active farmland, which is the long-time home of renowned Black Angus cattle. Read more.

The Canvasback Still Graces the Chesapeake

Science writer Cheryl Lyn Dybas and wildlife photographer Ilya Raskin visited Maryland DNR biologist Donald Webster along the Chesapeake in January 2020. Webster and his colleagues annually count canvasbacks and other wintering waterfowl on the Bay.

They came back,” says biologist Donald Webster. “This year.” His voice has a wistful note, wondering if the king of ducks, as the beautiful, crimson-headed canvasback is known, will return to rule Chesapeake Bay winter after winter. Read more.

5 Million Trees, 5 Million Voices: A Tale of Two Trees at Coppin State University

A Maryland Forest Service employee, a university maintenance manager, and a sorority alumna meet in a parking lot. No, this is not the beginning of a bad joke! It was the start of Coppin State University’s 2022 Arbor Day planting event. The Maryland Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forester for the Central Region recounts a tree planting at a public Historically Black University in Baltimore. Read more.