Through riparian forest buffer (RFB) establishment and maintenance, cooperator seeks to fulfill forestry goals as outlined in the chesapeake BAY watershed implementation plans and the chesapeake BAY…

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) received a $700,000.01 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service under the Forest Stewardship Program (CFDA 10.678) awarded on September 16, 2025. This grant supports the establishment and maintenance of riparian forest buffers (RFBs) to advance forestry objectives outlined in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plans and the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. The project, with an ultimate completion date of May 3, 2027, will be implemented in Pennsylvania and aims to demonstrate the value of forest restoration, education, and partnerships in empowering private landowners and communities to actively steward their forests and trees.

The Forest Stewardship Program provides technical assistance through state forestry agencies to connect private forest landowners with planning and management resources. Under this award, DCNR will leverage its network of service foresters to deliver technical support for riparian forest buffer implementation on non-industrial private forest lands within the Chesapeake Bay watershed region. The initiative aligns with the program's foundational mission of improving forest resilience and health while supporting landowner engagement in sustainable forest management practices across the Commonwealth.

Through riparian forest buffer (RFB) establishment and maintenance, cooperator seeks to fulfill forestry goals as outlined in the chesapeake BAY watershed implementation plans and the chesapeake BAY agreement. This shall be part of its strategy to highlight the importance of restoration, education, and partnerships to empower private landowners and communities to care for their forests and trees.