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Updated: July 22, 2026

Cultivating Conservation for Maryland and Delaware’s Historically Underserved Farmers (EM-2025-0752)

Authors: Sarah Hirsh - Shannon Dill - Caroline Kuchta - Neith Little - Kelly Nichols - Margaret Todd

This guidebook aims to increase knowledge of conservation practices and resources available to help farmers and land managers plan for and incorporate conservation onto their land. The guidebook discusses how conservation can fit into whole farm planning, conservation plans, the Web Soil Survey resource, an overview of agencies and conservation programs, and Natural Resource Conservation Service program eligibility and contract requirements. Authors: Sarah Hirsh, Shannon Dill, Caroline Kuchta, Neith Little, Kelly Nichols, and Margaret Todd; Title: Cultivating Conservation for Maryland and Delaware’s Historically Underserved Farmers (EM-2025-0752).
Updated: June 18, 2026

Branching Out - Spring 2026

In this issue: Learn about the practice called "treewashing." Read about how AI is helping scientists track the growth of ghost forests and about the science behind DC's iconic cherry blossoms. Our "Native Trees of Maryland" looks at the American Basswood, and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at the Bee-bee Tree. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.
Close-up of Bee-bee tree female red flower follicles. Photo by Arnold Arboretum/Harvard University.
Updated: June 8, 2026

The Woods in Your Backyard Workbook

The Woods in Your Backyard Workbook is available for free download as a PDF with fillable fields. It can be used in conjunction with The Woods in Your Backyard guide or on its own to help property owners assess their natural areas and to determine how to reach their land care objectives.
Updated: June 3, 2026

Beware of “Treewashing”

A story in one of my Google Alerts sent me down a rabbit hole, resulting in learning about a new term I hadn't heard before: "treewashing."
Oak Leaf on Olmstead Island, Maryland. Photo copyright Andrew A. Kling.
Updated: May 21, 2026

The Short Life of Cherry Blossoms: Beauty in Bloom

While cherry blossoms are seen as a natural symbol of spring in the wider Washington, D.C. area, their consistent beauty is actually the result of careful scientific management and human intervention.
Washington, D.C.'s famous cherry blossoms are illuminated by sunrise over the Tidal Basin. Photo by National Park Service
Updated: March 2, 2026

Branching Out - Winter 2026

In this issue: Read about the benefits of using phenology in your woodlands, and how you can join us for our online course, "The Woods in Your Backyard." Learn about a new group seeking to expand the knowledge and practice of prescribed fire in Maryland. Our "Native Trees of Maryland" looks at the Common Hackberry, and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at the Japanese Angelica Tree. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.
The fruit from common hackberry trees is edible and can be ground into powders or made into jams (Photo Credit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org).
Updated: February 24, 2026

New Guide Shares Reforestation Techniques and More

New from MassWoods at the University of Massachusetts Amherst: "Reforestation Guide: Tree Planting to Enrich, Restore, and Adapt Northern Forests"
Cover image of "Reforestation Guide: Tree Planting to Enrich, Restore, and Adapt Northern Forests" from University of Massachusetts Amherst
Updated: February 24, 2026

Registration is Now Open for “The Woods in Your Backyard” Online Course Spring Session

Registration is now open for the Spring 2026 session of “The Woods in Your Backyard” online course. Our course is designed primarily for small-acreage property owners who want to learn how to care for or expand existing woodlands, or to convert lawn space to woodlands.
The Woods in Your Backyard online course logo
Updated: February 24, 2026

Phenology in Your Woodlands

Phenology links what you see on the ground to patterns in weather and climate, turning casual observation into a powerful management tool.
Snowy landscape with trees and blue sky. Photo by Andrew A. Kling.
Updated: December 17, 2025

Branching Out - Fall 2025

In this issue: Read about the transitions in woodlands from autumn to winter, and the benefits of leaving leaves where they fall. There's also news about a new milestone for the Healthy Forests Healthy Waters program. Our "Native Trees of Maryland" looks at the Dwarf Chinquapin Oak, and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at the Goldenrain Tree. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.
The sweet acorns of dwarf chinquapin oaks are a favorite of many birds and mammals. Photo © William Van Hemessen, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)