Annual Application Period Open for Creek ReLeaf Reforestation Program

FREDERICK, Md. - Property owners in Frederick County can now apply for the Creek ReLeaf Reforestation Program until December 30, 2025. The Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment program partners with property owners to establish new forests that enhance our community's natural resources and contribute to the health of local waterways.

Through Creek ReLeaf, property owners can:

• Have native trees and shrubs planted at no cost.
• Receive five years of maintenance on the planting to promote healthy forest growth.
• Obtain compensation for a permanent conservation easement-up to $9,000 per acre.

The land remains the property of the owner who may continue to use it in ways that align with the easement. A forestry management plan can also provide long-term revenue opportunities, such as selective tree harvesting.

"Reforestation is one of the most effective tools we have to protect water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and strengthen Frederick County's resilience to climate change," said Project Manager Linda Williamson. "Creek ReLeaf makes it possible for property owners to play an active role in that work while also receiving lasting benefits for their land."

Funded in part by grants from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, Creek ReLeaf has worked with Frederick Couty landowners to plant more than 575 acres of new forest so far. These plantings provide long-term benefits to the environment and the community.

Tree plantings improve water quality and reduce pollution in local streams and rivers. Trees stabilize soil and can reduce erosion and risks of flooding. Forest plantings also help moderate stream temperatures and improve habitat for wildlife and fish like brook trout. Projects like Creek ReLeaf provide direct and measurable benefits to the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Property owners interested in the program can learn more and apply online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ReForest. For questions about Creek ReLeaf, contact Linda Williamson at 240-608-7426 or [email protected].

To stay informed about Frederick County's many environmental initiatives, follow @SustainableFCMD on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.

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Contact: Linda Williamson
Project Manager
Division of Energy and Environment
240-608-7426