Woods on our land provide benefits. The Healthy Forests Healthy Waters (HFHW) program offers landowners in Maryland a cost-free opportunity to establish new woodland cover on their property. This turnkey reforestation program is administered by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland Forestry Foundation with technical support provided by the Maryland Forest Service (MDFS). MDFS and/or Alliance staff work with participating landowners to develop personalized tree planting plans that match landowner goals and site conditions. The tree planting is implemented by experienced natural resources service providers. Additionally, natural resources providers return during the growing season to mow the site and maintain the new trees for three years after the planting. All work will be administered under the guidance and oversight of MDFS and Alliance staff. HFHW is funded by a Maryland DNR Chesapeake and Coastal Bays Trust Fund grant, so there are no costs incurred by participating landowners nor restrictive easements. Increasing woodland cover in Maryland benefits all Marylanders.

Eligible Projects

  • Any open land of one acre or more (no understory planting in existing woodlands). Plantings down to 0.5 acres will be considered.
  • Land that is not obligated to be reforested under regulation.

Expectation of Landowners

  • Agree to keep the trees for at least 15 years. No restrictive easement is required.
  • Take over responsibility for maintaining the trees after the 3rd growing season until they become established.

We are soliciting projects for Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 plantings. Please contact forests@allianceforthebay.org for more information.