The Department is moving forward with implementation priorities defined in the Green Infrastructure Network Plan, including developing habitat management plans for the hubs and corridors. The habitat management plans include information on existing conditions and recommendations for landowners who would like to maintain or improve the habitat on their property.

HMP for Dorsey Wetland Hub

HMP for Guilford Branch Forest Hub

Wetland and Pond Enhancement document

Video - What is Howard County's Forest Conservation Program?
This video provides an overview of Howard County’s Forest Conservation Program. The purpose and goal of the program is to protect and preserve forest in Howard County by promoting environmentally sensitive design during the subdivision and land development process. The video stresses the importance of educating the community residents about the forest program to ensure the long term protection, preservation and maintenance of our forest resources in the County. 

 Video - How Can You Help Protect Our Forest Resources?
The primary purpose of this video is to help educate the public about the need to avoid certain activities that may destroy or degrade protected forest resources located in their community. Some of the permitted and non-permitted uses within forest conservation easements are highlighted in this video. The video asks for the community’s help in our mission as the guardians of the public’s trust in protecting the County’s valuable forest resources for future generations.     

 Educational Guides for Forest Conservation Areas Located:
On Private Lots | Within Public Easements, HOA or County owned Open Space or Preservation Parcels

 Maryland Forest Service
The Forest Service restores, manages, and protects Maryland’s trees, forests, and forested ecosystems to sustain our natural resources and connect people to the land. For more information on forestry education and facts, please visit the Maryland Forest Service Home Page.

Regulations | Manual
The Howard County Forest Conservation Regulations are pursuant to the requirements of the Maryland Forest Conservation Act of 1991, which requires units of local government to adopt a local Forest Conservation Program that meets the requirements of the Natural Resources Article, Section 5-1601 through 5-1613 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. 

 The Howard County Forest Conservation Manual implements the Howard County Forest Conservation Act.

For more information on the State of Maryland Forest Conservation Act, please see the Department of Natural Resources Forest Conservation Act Web Page.

The Natural Resources Division of the Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks performs all inspections and enforcement of post-development forest conservation easements in Howard County. Inspections are conducted to verify forest conservation easements are in compliance with project-specific requirements during the development phase and enforce restrictions on certain types of activities and land use within easements after development is complete.  For further information, please visit the Department of Recreation and Parks Enforcement Web Page. 

The Howard County General Mitigation Plan identifies appropriate and potentially available areas for forest conservation mitigation projects.