University of maryland, college agnr renewable resources extension act capacity grant (RREA), FY 2026 abstract with a population of over 6 million people and increasing, maryland has witnessed rapid…

University of maryland, college agnr renewable resources extension act capacity grant (RREA), FY 2026 abstract with a population of over 6 million people and increasing, maryland has witnessed rapid growth that has resulted in drastic changes in demographic, economic and political patterns that affect IT's rural and urban forest landscapes, management and sustainability. In addition, climate and weather changes, invasive insects and plants, and sea level rise have impacted the health and composition of our forests. According to data from the USDA forest service, the maryland DNR forest service estimates that there are approximately 2.5 million acres of forest land in maryland which covers about 39% of the total land area in the state. Seventy-two percent of the state's forests are privately owned, with a majority of this being family-owned covering more than 1.3 million acres. The number of family ownerships 1-9 acres has continued to increase from 55% in 1976, to 65% in 1989, and stabilizing at about 85% since the mid 2000'S. This trend requires developing programs to meet the needs of family ownerships with different objectives and interests. These private forest lands protect and supply more than 2/3 of maryland's drinking water, provide carbon sequestration options, and are the source for uncountable other public benefits like clean air, recreational areas, and biodiversity to name but a few. In addition, these forests supply the forest industry in maryland contributing millions to the economy through jobs and renewable wood products. University of maryland college park's (UMCP) overall program will focus on program development and evaluation that will educate diverse forest landowners about the values of the forest land; how to manage their forest in a profitable and sustainable manner in the face of changing environmental, social and economic forces; understand ecosystem service values; benefits of biomass as an alternative fuel source; how to improve wildlife habitat; and sustainable logging practices. The program will focus on small forest landowners (10 acres or less), minority landowners, as well as larger private ownerships of all sizes to meet the diverse needs of the state, along with the organizations that service the land, and the forest industry that process and harvest the timber. The overriding goal of this program is to educate forest landowners, loggers, minority landowners who own farm or forestland, and policy makers of the value of managing forest resources using sustainable forestry practices that will ensure a sustainable source of forest products, wildlife, water quality and aesthetics for that contribute to the quality of life of all maryland citizens, and provide for future generations. UMCP will accomplish its goals through a cooperative and collaborative program delivery, evaluation and reporting system. Program delivery will be through a variety of methods including general forestry and wildlife correspondence courses; the regional and statewide woodland stewards program; the MD/DEL master logger program; the woods in your backyard course and program, wood energy educational efforts; forestry field demonstration tours, farm and forests field days, face-to-face, telephone and email consultations, and forestry seminars and workshops. For the general forestry and wildlife courses - evaluation will take several approaches, with end-of-lesson quizzes and the final evaluation of their forest stewardship and wildlife management plans. The second component of the evaluation process will be follow-up surveys at one year and 5 years after completion of the course to measure behavioral changes such as implementation of practices or money saved/earned.