Welcome to the Forestry education content area. There are games, fun forestry facts, activities and teacher resources. If you cannot find what you want check out our main education area for more options.

Big Tree Champions

No complete record of Maryland's tree species exists, but from the best information available, there are probably more than 160 species. Counting the exotic species which are successfully grown here, the list is almost unlimited.

Arbor Day Poster Contest 2008

Kent County Forestry Board proudly announces for the tenth year in a row the 2008 Arbor Day Poster winners. Timmy Lindsay from Rock Hall Elementary School is the 2008 Poster Contest Winner in the 3rd Grade category. Anthony Wang from Chestertown Middle School is the winner in the 5th Grade category. Great Job everyone!

Forest Service History

The Maryland Forest Service began in 1906 with the donation of land in western Maryland.

Celebrate Arbor Day

Arbor Day, observed in Maryland on the first Wednesday in April, kicks off the tree planting season in the State. An early spring celebration, Arbor Day is a day when all Marylanders can focus their attention on the planting of trees and forests – one of the most valuable and recyclable natural resources. Our trees and forests provide timber for wood products, habitat for fish and wildlife, watershed protection, clean air, improved water quality and healthful recreation. Ceremonial tree plantings on Arbor Day represent a commitment to the resource and our dedication to nature. Maryland observed its first Arbor Day in 1883 and has continued to do so yearly. The importance of planting trees should not be forgotten after Arbor Day. The continuation and health of our urban and rural forest resource is important to the quality of life of Marylanders.

Natural Resources Careers Conference


Applications are now being accepted to attend Natural Resources Careers Conference being held this summer, July 22 - 28, 2007. The conference is a one week (Sunday through Saturday) coeducational summer camp program for high school students interested in pursuing a career in forestry or natural resources. Students will learn about working in the field of natural resources, educational requirements, employment and career opportunities in forestry, water resources, and other related disciplines from teams of natural resource professionals. The camp is sponsored by the Maryland Association of Forest Conservancy District Boards and the Maryland Forestry Board Foundation in partnership with the Maryland DNR Forest Service and Allegany College of Maryland. Deadline for applications is April 30.

Junior Forest Ranger Patch Program


In 2006, the Maryland Forest Service celebrated 100 years of assisting Maryland landowners with their forestry needs. A patch program was one of the many projects created for that celebration. We, along with the Maryland Forestry Boards, are happy to continue offering the program as the Maryland Junior Forest Ranger Patch Program.

Envirothon - Forestry Resource Site

The Maryland Envirothon is a natural resource education program sponsored by local soil conservation districts for high school age students. Forestry, wildlife, aquatics and soils are the four subject areas studied each year. A fifth, current issue is different each year. The students form five person teams, who then represent themselves at the local or statewide environmental competition. Visit Maryland's Envirothon Homepage for information about each of the subject areas.

Project Learning Tree

Project Learning Tree is an award winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators working with students in pre-K through grade 12. PLT uses the forest as a "window" into natural and built environments, helping people gain an awareness and knowledge of the world around them, as well as their place within it.

Tree-mendous Maryland

Have trees planted in honor or memory of family and friends, to celebrate Holidays, special occasions, and remembrances. Your Gift of Trees is actually three gifts - one to someone you care for, one to future generations, and one to the environment. TREE-MENDOUS MARYLAND will arrange for the trees to be planted in the area in which the recipient of the certificate lives.

Forestry Boards

For more than fifty years, Maryland’s Forest Conservancy District Boards have been working to perpetuate Maryland’s forest resource. As volunteer advocates for forestry, Forestry Board members focus their attention on Maryland’s trees and forests...our renewable natural resource.

University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Forest Stewardship Education

Below are some specific programs adults and youth may find interesting. More are available on the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Forest Stewardship Education homepage. Branching Out: Maryland’s Forest Stewardship Educator – quarterly newsletter available online or through subscription The Woods in Your Backyard: for private forest landowners with 1- 10 acres but good for youth projects Maryland Woodland Stewards:(formerly known as “coverts project”) – volunteer training program Forestry Correspondence Course

Teacher's Guide For the Arbor Day Distribution of Pine Seedlings

The Teacher's Guide has been written by Maryland elementary school educators who have been involved with Arbor Day at their schools. The development of the Guide is a cooperative effort between Maryland's Department of Natural Resources and the State Department of Education. We have tried to make the activities child-centered, fun and authentic, while keeping the use of activities flexible enough to meet your particular class or school needs.

Suggested Readings

Dear Students and Educators: We appreciate your interest in learning more about Maryland’s forests and their trees and wildlife. We have put together a list of Suggested Children’s Literature, which includes 51 books that are reference points for your studies, and a source for learning more about wood products, planting trees, and how our wonderful forest ecosystems work.

How to Measure Trees

In order to evaluate the relative size of trees, the girth in inches and the height and crown spread in feet, are added together to arrive at a number of points for each tree. This number is then used for comparison of tree sizes in each species.

Forestry Facts

The many different tree species which grow throughout Maryland do so because of a combination of factors: climate, soil, and topography. Because of its location, Maryland is a common meeting ground for several species from both northern and southern climates. The State marks the farthest north that such species as loblolly pine and bald cypress are found.

Quick Tree Quiz - How well do you know your trees?

How well do you know your Maryland trees, do you know the difference between a conifer and a deciduous tree? Try your luck with our quiz.

Smokey and the Careless Campers (A Kids Play)

It is a summer morning and the sun is climbing up the sky from under its blanket of dark green hills. The forest animals and birds are coming out of their burrows and nests to greet the bright new day.

Smokey's Fire Prevention Baltimore Orioles Coloring Book

Welcome to Smokey's Fire Prevention Orioles Coloring Book, inside are tips that will help you with fire related situations. All of the activities are made to print out and use. There are coloring sheets, crossword puzzles, games and other cool things to do.