Teaching enthusiastic individuals how to be good stewards of natural land, and good advocates for forest and wildlife stewardship in their community.

Maryland Woodland Stewards logo

About Maryland Woodland Stewards:

The Maryland Woodland Stewards program is an educational program of University of Maryland Extension.  It teaches forest and wildlife management practices and leadership skills to a select group of people. In return, participants apply these principles to property they own or manage, and actively encourage others to practice good forest stewardship using the principle of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor.”

How much does the program cost? 
Each participant is expected to contribute $95 toward the cost of their training, which totals more than $400. This subsidized fee is possible with the support of The Ruffed Grouse Society, the Renewable Resources Extension Act, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service. This includes meals, lodging, and all program materials. 
 
What do participants learn?
Through classroom sessions, Maryland Woodland Stewards learn about:

  • Maryland forests and how they grow
  • Wildlife and habitat
  • Sound forest stewardship to improve the health and productivity of their woodlands while increasing wildlife habitat, diversity, and abundance
  • The natural resources professionals and organizations that provide information and other assistance to help manage their properties Classroom learning is reinforced with outdoor sessions that demonstrate how these principles can be applied to individual woodlands.

Classroom learning is reinforced with outdoor sessions that demonstrate how these principles can be applied to individual woodlands. 

What is expected of participants?
In return for the subsidized training, participants agree to contribute at least 40 hours to outreach and education efforts in the year following the training. Examples of acceptable projects include volunteering for forestry and wildlife organizations like the Maryland Tree Farm Committee or your your county forestry board, hosting educational programs on your property, writing articles, speaking to community groups, or talking with your friends, family, and neighbors about good forest stewardship. Each participant will develop an action plan that matches his or her interests and talents. 

How are Maryland Woodland Stewards selected? 
Anyone may apply, but priority is given to applicants who own or manage woodland and are involved in their communities, providing avenues for outreach.

Sample Application Materials   Highlights of the 2018 training

 For more information about the Maryland Woodland Stewards program, please contact Agnes Kedmenecz (at akedmen@umd.edu or 410-827-8056 ext. 125).

 WSE initiatives are supported by funding from the USDA Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA). To learn more about the RREA, visit this site (external link).

Equal Opportunity Programs
The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.