Garrett County Forestry Board

08/28/2026

Congratulations! Linda is also a member of the Garrett County Forestry Board! We have been proud to partner with the Garden Club on several projects!

08/21/2026

Deer are a part of Maryland's ecosystem like other species of wildlife, but an overpopulation of deer can put our forest ecosystems out of balance. Deer browse on fresh tree buds and leaves that spring up from the forest floor. Like rabbits overrunning a garden, an overpopulation of deer will have detrimental effects on the undergrowth and vegetation in a forest.

In forests with dense deer numbers, the impact of deer can be plainly visible in the “browse line”—the area of vegetation extending from the ground to about six feet above the forest floor. If you see plants nibbled within the browse line, limited plant regrowth, or an abundance of invasive plants, then there are likely too many deer and not enough native trees and shrubs. This type of activity means young forest growth is being suppressed, which removes habitat from other wildlife such as turkeys, quail, and pollinating insects. As the native vegetation is reduced and eliminated, there is less competition for the many species of non-native, invasive plants that quickly attempt to occupy every last nook and cranny of our forests.

To help prevent deer browsing damage, the Maryland Forest Service uses tree shelters to allow our seedlings to get close to or above the browse height. Shelters include the noticeable plastic tubes you may have seen around the state at tree planting sites, which are the most cost-effective mechanism to prevent browsing damage. Other solutions to the issue include recruiting new and reactivating lapsed hunters through hunter education programs and hunting programs, which DNR offers throughout the year. Last year, DNR instituted a new licensing system–MD Outdoors–designed to make it easier for licensed hunters to buy and renew their licenses. By hunting deer, you can serve an important role in protecting our forests and keeping our ecosystem in balance. Read the article here: https://ow.ly/aVfo50ZCss3

Learn more about hunting in Maryland:
https://ow.ly/zY1G50ZCss0

Photo by James Corbett

08/18/2026

08/14/2026

When our founders and early volunteers started breeding blight-resistant American chestnuts decades ago, they knew restoration would take generations. Like the proverb says, true conservation is about planting for a future we may never see, but one that the younger generations will inherit. Today, we continue that legacy. Want to help us plant the forests of tomorrow?

Visit the following link to learn how to get involved: https://tacf.org/volunteer/

08/09/2026

Happy birthday Smokey Bear !

08/08/2026

Awards were presented to our photo contest winners this morning!
1st Wyatt Funkhouser
2nd Avery Marple
3rd Aria Rodeheaver

08/05/2026

Congratulations to this year's winners of the Bill Ashby Memorial 4-H Photo Contest! Awards will be presented Saturday at 8:30 in the show ring!

08/05/2026

August program schedule! Be sure to stop by.

https://www.discoverycenterdcl.com/friends-store

08/05/2026

We're hiring! 📢

The Nature Conservancy in Maryland and DC is looking for a Western Maryland Land Manager to play a critical role in managing and stewarding TNC's preserves and supporting conservation initiatives across Western Maryland, including habitat restoration and prescribed fire. 🌲🔥

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about land stewardship, ecological restoration, prescribed fire, and collaborative conservation in one of Maryland's most ecologically significant landscapes.

If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join us! Not only will you fulfill conservation objectives in the beautiful state of Maryland, but you’ll also contribute to conservation goals through many networks.

We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated person to work within our Division. Systems Leadership, creativity, and the ability to influence without authority are key in this role.

🔗 Apply here: https://careers.tnc.org/us/en/job/JR103475/Western-Maryland-Land-Manager

08/04/2026

Board members Linda and Mike are also manning our display booth today!