Welcome to the Frederick County Forestry Board (FCFB) Web site.
The contents of each page on our site is briefly described below the 'Spotlight" section. From any page in this site you can access any other page by using the FCFB site navigator found in the upper left column. The lower left column of each page contains links to other Web sites that relate to FCFB page content. You can contact us from any page by using the link provide at the bottom of every page. During the Gypsy Moth spraying endeavor the first section of this home page will be a daily status update on spraying.
Gypsy Moth Spraying Update
2009 Supplemental Gypsy Moth Suppression Program
June 1, 2009 Update
Finally! The weather cooperated and we began spaying again. We started spraying at 5:30 am and concluded at 11:30 am. We were able to finish the Camp Raudy Road spray block as well as the Frederick City Watershed. As such, we have completed the 2009 Supplemental Spray Program.
I would like to thank the Frederick County Gypsy Moth Task Force for all their assistance developing this program. I would also like to thank Tyson Rose of the Frederick County Forestry Board for posting the updates on the excellent web site he oversees. Bill Bond with Parkton Woodland Services deserves special thanks for overseeing the program in its entirety. Finally, much thanks go out to Helicopter Applicators for their fine work with the aerial application.
Once the 2009 defoliation surveys have been completed I suggest that the Task Force meets to critique this program; and, discuss what to do in 2010.
Thanks again everybody.
Mike Kay
FCFB Spotlight!
Your Input is Needed
June 16, Frederick, and Washington Counties
Urbana Regional Library (Urbana Community Room)
9020 Amelung Street
Frederick, MD 21704
June 17 Allegany, Garrett and Washington Counties
Frostburg State University (Compton 226)
101 Braddock Road
Frostburg, MD 21532
Change is affecting every aspect of forests. Many forest landowners in Maryland are struggling to plan for the future of their family lands in the face of reduced timber values and increased regulation. But with change comes opportunity. New markets for sustainable forest products and environmental services offer new opportunities for landowners, as citizens statewide begin to recognize the public values of private forests.
It will take smart and inclusive planning, strategic public and private investment, and leadership at all levels to prepare Maryland’s landowners, communities, forestry professionals, and forest industry to succeed and thrive in this new world, and your input is important!
Regional Listening Sessions will play a direct role in setting public policy that will affect your future. What kinds of technical support, educational opportunities, and cost share programs do you need to help you manage your forest land and market forest products in a changing world? Local and state leaders are faced with tough choices over how to spend scarce resources, and needs to hear from you. The listening sessions are tailored to give you the opportunity to express your concerns and needs. All listening session will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the locations above. For further information, contact:
Ms. Nancy NunnCoordinator, Development
Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro‐Ecology, Inc.
Phone: 410‐827‐8056, ext. 128/ nnunn@umd.edu
or visit the Center's website: www.agroecol.umd.edu
As part of the “Marylanders Plant Trees” initiative, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has partnered with participating vendors to offer discounts for buying trees at local nurseries and garden centers to help increase tree cover across the State. The goal is to encourage citizens to plant 50,000 new trees by 2010. Additionally, the Marylanders Plant Trees Web site provides advice on where, how and what type of trees to plant, and discount coupons. Individuals can also register their planted trees on the site and calculate the benefits for our environment. Join us in creating a greener future for our One Maryland.
Catoctin Mountain Park Announces a Public Meeting to solicit comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment to Relocate a Hiking Trail
April 9, 2009
For Immediate Release
Sean Denniston (301) 416-0536
National Park Service staff will conduct a Public Meeting on the Draft Environmental Assessment for relocating miles of hiking trails at Catoctin Mountain Park. The meeting will be held in the Auditorium at the Park Visitor Center on Saturday April 18, 2009 from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. The Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center is located at 14707 Park Central Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788. Directions can be found at the Catoctin Mountain ParkWeb site.
The purpose of this meeting is to provide the public with information about the proposed trail relocation at Catoctin Mountain Park. Comments will be taken at this meeting on the Draft Environmental Assessment for this project, which is under review until May 4th, 2009. This Environmental Assessment (EA) will provide decision-makers with information and analysis of alternatives and potential impacts of reconfiguring the hiking trails at Catoctin Mountain Park in order to provide for the safety and enjoyment of Park visitors. The proposed alternatives include a no-action alternative (Alternative A) and two action alternatives (Alternatives B and C). Alternative B (the preferred alternative) calls for rerouting of an existing trail to parallel Maryland Route 77 from the Park Headquarters to the Park Visitor Center. Alternative C proposes an existing trail be rerouted to eliminate a confusing trail intersection and provide a more direct route back to the Park Visitor Center.
For those unable to attend this meeting, comments will be accepted on-line at the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cato and on the Catoctin Mountain Park web site at www.nps.gov/cato. Written comments can also be submitted to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788, or cato_superintendent@nps.gov.
For questions or further information, please contact Sean Denniston, Resources Manager, Catoctin Mountain Park at (301) 416-0536.
Catoctin Mountain Park is one of 391 units administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. The Park Visitor Center, located on State Route 77 three miles west of Thurmont, Maryland, is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Correspondence should be addressed to: Superintendent, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. Our website address is www.nps.gov/cato. General information can be obtained by calling the Visitor Center at (301) 663-9388.Gypsy moths may destroy fewer trees this spring, thanks to help from the City of Frederick . The city will spray about 1,000 acres in the municipal forest, also known as the city watershed, with an insecticide later this month. This area seems to serve as an incubation spot for the leaf-munching pests. (See the Frederick News Post article entitled 'Gypsy moth hot spots targeted' for details).
- News from the Center for Invasive Plant Management
- FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick Board of County Commissioners yesterday appointed 13 citizens to the inaugural Sustainability Commission. The appointees were selected from a strong and diverse applicant pool comprised of 47 applications.
The board formally established the Sustainability Commission by resolution on March 26, 2009, as a fundamental component of the county’s programs in sustainability and environmental leadership. The commission will evaluate, promote and advance issues related to the long-term environmental, social and economic health of the county. The members will guide the development of the county’s sustainability plan and encourage community action with regard to sustainable living.
Board President Jan Gardner commented, “We were very pleased with the outpouring of interest and support for the Sustainability Commission, which points to the importance Frederick County citizens place on sustainability and preserving the quality of life we enjoy in our county. While we could not appoint every applicant to this special commission, all are welcome to attend the open meetings and we invite them to contribute their ideas and time to the projects that will benefit all of our citizens.”
Members appointed to the Frederick County Sustainability Commission are: Don Briggs, Steve Chafitz, Annemarie Creamer, Sally Fullmer, Lisa Gaver, Mark Lancaster, Margie Lance, Richard Maranto, Lisa Orr, Winifred Palmer, Kim Roberts, Fred Ugast and Janice Wiles.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- NRCC 2008 graduate Sarah Delise has received Early Acceptance to Virginia Tech to study Forestry - Environmental Resources Management. See the Education programs page for more information on NRCC program Sarah attended this past summer.
- The Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards meets twice a year to discuss issues of mutual concern. The Spring meeting was held April 18, 2009 in Annapolis to announce the Maryland Sustainable Forestry Act of 2009. No Net Loss of Forests Policy, and "Marylanders Plants Trees" initiative. Also Mel Noland, President of the Association, was awarded the highest honor given to a Maryland citizen by the governor, the "Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay" award, for his years of dedication to forestry, forest resources and forest issues in Maryland.
Our longest serving FCFB member, Larry Sharpe, received the highest honor given by the state association to a Forestry Board member, the Greydon Tolson award.
For more information about the Spring meeting and Larry's nomination see the Board members page.
- On September 11, 2008 Frederick County Forestry Board member Mike Kay presented a report on the 2008 Gypsy Moth Suppression Program to the Frederick County Commissioners since they provided funding for cost share. The 2008 Supplemental Gypsy Moth Control Program report is available to download as a PDF file. The report includes maps made of the spray blocks overlaying areas that were defoliated during the summer of 2008.
- The emerald ash borer beetle threatens the fate of every ash tree in Maryland, all of them lethally vulnerable to the beetle's eating habits. Read the Washington Post article A Skirmish to Save Md.'s Ash Trees to learn about how scientists are combating the little green beetle.
- Recently the emerald ash borer, an Asian beetle species that can devastate ash trees, has made its first appearance Charles County. Read the Washington Post article article entitled Tree-Killing Bug Makes an Entrance to learn more.
- Japanese Hops or Japanese Hop (Humulus japonicus) is an invasive exotic weed that has created problems in recent years on tree planting sites near waterways in Maryland and nearby States. The lack of adequate information on Hops control resulted in a project in 2006 & 2007 to determine more effective management practices. The project included a survey of known Hops locations within the Monocacy watershed in MD and PA, discussions with foresters, weed control agencies and landowners who had been dealing with this species, testing of various methods of control, and actual control work on Hops-infested sites. The results have provided better information on Hops life-cycle and growth habits, and the effective application of various manual, mechanical, and chemical controls.
Download and read the PDF file entitled Management of Japanese Hops on Forest Regeneration Sites to learn more.
Japanese Hops in typical riparian edge habitat
Frederick County students Ashley Smith and Sarah Delise share their recent Natural Resources Careers Conference (NCRR) 2008 experiences in letters to the FCFB. Visit the Education programs page to read their letters.
Also, the dates for NRCC 2009 have been set for the week of July 19-25, 2009.
- The newest additions to the FCFB Web site are the Stronghold's demonstration forest page and the Ecological communities page. The Forestry Demonstration area at Stronghold is intended to provide visitors with a visual representation of common forest harvest practices, as well as displaying a long-term comparative view of forest development resulting from these activities. The Ecological communities page coantains articles about various Frederick County landscapes written by Mike Kay.
- Frederick County Public Schools becomes the first school district in Chesapeake Bay watershed to adopt a tree canopy goal!
Frederick County’s Board of Education unanimously voted to support a goal to increase the tree canopy for all Board of Education of Frederick County properties to 20 percent over the next 30 years. Frederick County Public Schools, which currently has 12 percent tree cover, is the first school district in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to adopt a tree canopy goal.
Download the press release for more details.
- Maryland DNR Nursery Catalog - order trees on-line
Last season, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources began taking orders on-line. Their nursery catalog has been on the Web for several years, but you had to print an order form and fax or mail it to order seedlings. Their secure site can be used with confidence. If you include your email address on the order form, the DNR can confirm your order and send planting instructions and shipping notices!
Overview of the FCFB Web site
The Frederick County Forestry Board is dedicated to the forested lands in Frederick County. Go to our Our mission page to learn our purpose and the ways we support the community in promoting forestry concerns.
Are you interested in participating in a state sponsored stewardship of your forested land? Go to our Forest stewardship page to learn about the benefits and responsibilities of this worthwhile program.
Visit the Education programs page to learn about classroom, workshops, demonstrations, training, lectures, seminars and other types of education about forestry in the area. The FCFB Spotlight section above also contains links to recent or future educational events.
The Timber harvest page is a source of information for timber harvest plans, inspections and related topics.
The spring of 2008 will see a major infestation of Gypsy moth larvae to many areas in Frederick County. Many concerned Frederick County land owners attended a FCFB workshop on the Gypsy moth in November and have banded together to combat the problem. Go to the Gypsy moth suppression page to learn more.
Go to the Board members page to see a listing of the 2008 FCFB membership. This page also contains highlights from the latest board meeting ('Board Briefs'). To contact the FCFB use the 'Contact us' link found at the bottom of every page in our Web site.
Visit our Newsletter page to download our printed FCFB Newsletter (the current issue as well as past issues). To be added to the newsletter mailing distribution you can contact us and ask to be added to our newsletter mailing list.
The Field trials page contains forestry research result reports for studies conducted locally.
On the Big tree program page you can read about national and state champion tree in Frederick County. Pictures of these magnificent giants are also shown.
The Forest favorites page contains short articles by FCFB members about some of their favorite inhabitants of the forest ... flora and fauna.
The Forestry practices page contains articles intended to provide guidance to landowners who wish to undertake common forestry practices like tree planting, weed control, timber stand improvements, and commercial timber sales.
The Stronghold's demonstration forest page describes the Forestry Demonstration area at Stronghold which provide visitors with a visual representation of common forest harvest practices, as well as displaying a long-term comparative view of forest development resulting from these activities.
The Ecological communities page contains articles about various Frederick County landscapes written by Mike Kay.
Nature Notes – 6/7/2009
Nature Notes is compiled by Ginny Brace. Contact her at naturenotesfnp@aol.com .
YOU'VE PROBABLY NOTICED a lot of mushrooms lately. Mushrooms are just part of a larger organism. Like fruit on a tree, mushrooms are the fruit an organism creates to reproduce. The mushroom's seeds (spores) are microscopic; a mushroom is just spore factory. The organism, the part that corresponds to the tree, is called a mycelium and is found in whatever the mushroom grows in (leaves, soil, rotting tree etc.). It is a mesh of tiny, threadlike cells that consumes nutrients. Mycelia are very important to the environment. Some mycelium help protect the roots of other plants and in exchange they get sugars and amino acids. Other mycelium help decompose dead matter.
Courtesy Photo
The monarch is easily recognized by its dark orange wings with black veins and white edge spots
The monarch (Danaus plexippus), one of the few butterflies that actually migrates, is easily recognized by dark orange wings with black veins and white edge spots. Monarch butterflies of-- eastern North America spend winter in the Gulf-- states and south central Mexico. By May or June most monarchs have returned to North America. Here their journey ends.
The females lay their green eggs on milkweed plants and then die. About one week later, the eggs break open to reveal a yellow-black- and white striped caterpillar. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively upon milkweeds. Many types of milkweed contain a poison that is not toxic to the butterflies, who actually store it in their bodies. This is a chemical defense against predators. A bird or other animal that tries to eat a monarch caterpillar or butterfly will become ill, and usually will never try eating one again.
A number of plant diseases are beginning to show up on landscape trees now due to the damp conditions we are experiencing. Apple scab is beginning on apples, dogwood anthracnose on dogwoods, and phomopsis and kabatia on ground junipers.
Use the following link to download past Nature Notes as a PDF file:
