GCFB Updates - Spring 2021

GCFB Updates - Spring 2021

We hope this newsletter finds you well! Below are some important updates highlighting forestry news & events pertaining to Garrett County and Maryland! We encourage you to visit us online at https://gcforestryboard.wixsite.com/gcfb and www.facebook.com/garrettcountyforestryboard

Big Trees

Board members have been measuring trees for the MD Big Tree Program this spring! Pictured is Mike Kozier measuring the Garrett County and MD State Champion tamarack located on the shoreline of Deep Creek Lake. This national program began in MD in 1941. The largest known trees of each species are recognized in each county and for the state. 
 
Anyone may nominate a Big Tree for possible inclusion in the program. Owners of champion trees receive a certificate recognizing their tree. To learn more or nominate a tree, visit the link below.

Big Tree Program

Scholarship Awarded

Congratulations to Ben Burris, who is our 2021 Garrett County Forestry Board scholarship recipient! Ben is from Swanton and is attending Allegany College of Maryland in the Criminal Justice program. Ben has demonstrated a strong desire to become a natural resources law enforcement officer and has past work experience as a seasonal officer with the state of Delaware. 

Scholarship Program Info

Arbor Day Celebrations

Maryland Arbor Day was celebrated on April 7th and the National Arbor Day was celebrated on April 30th. Several events were held throughout the county including a tree planting to expand the arboretum at the Hickory Environmental Education

Hickory Environmental Education Center

Center, and ceremonial tree plantings in the Town of Loch Lynn and at the Oakland Town Dog Park. These two towns also celebrated being part of the Tree City USA program.

Learn more about urban & community forestry programs

Forestry Recognition

Melissa Nash, Garrett County Project Manager and Forester (and GCFB Secretary) - has been selected as this year's recipient of the Northeast-Mid-Atlantic Regional Cooperative Forest Management (CFM) Forester of the Year!

In mid-February, Melissa was noted as MD's 2020 Forester of the Year.  As our MD Forester of the Year, Melissa was entered into the Regional CFM Forester of the Year selection process, which encompasses the 20-states in the Northeastern-Mid-Atlantic Region of the US Forest Service (Region 9). Melissa was selected as the Regional CFM Forester of the Year!  
 
Melissa began working for the MD Forest Service on a seasonal basis in 2006 and started full time as a watershed forester in 2011. She has been the Garrett Project Manager since 2015. Congratulations Melissa!

Mike Minnick was recognized this spring by the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards with a MEL Award! This award is named after the late Mel Noland, who was a former president of the Association. It recognizes those Forestry Board members who have made outstanding contributions to their local boards.
 
Mike has served on the GCFB since 2012 and has been its chair since 2015. He is always looking for innovative ways to promote forestry in Garrett County and collaborate with other local groups. As a Natural Resource Career Camp alumni, Mike has been a strong supporter of NRCC and encouraging local students to attend to explore careers in natural resources fields. He has also spearheaded efforts to preserve local genetics of surviving American chestnut trees. Congratulations Mike!

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