Meeting Minutes

Wednesday January 4th, 2023

6PM @ Black Hill Ranger Station

Attendees:

Gabrielle Oldham Katie Kranich Tom Frederick

John Bennett Ron Anderson Kathie Jarmon

Matt Spiroff Jackie Lyle Rick Lyle

Calvin Bonenberger

Gabrielle brought the meeting to order at 6:02 PM.

The November minutes were reviewed and approved.

Treasurer’s report

1) John reported the board’s 12 month CD account has matured. The matured CD was rolled into an 18 month CD. The CD rate has increased to 3.0 percent. The new CD will mature on 6/20/24.

2) No new checks have been written since the $340 check was written on 11/17/22 for the white pine seedling school giveaway.

Maryland Big Tree Program Update:

John gave the county report, and details are provided below:

MBTP Report – November-December

The Cecil Board did not meet in December. I received permission forms for three trees in the North East area. They have not yet been re-measured. The Cecil Board has 5 trees to re-measure in 2023. I am recommending we not re-measure Big Tree BT-2543, a Korean evodia (Tetradium danielii).

It is no longer an eligible tree under the 2019 “Non-native small tree” policy, as it is under 150 points (114). Under this policy, the Board may elect to re-measure the tree as a “grandfathered” example, or may vote to move it to “Inactive”. It is the only registered example; thus the Maryland State Champion.

Statewide, volunteers re-measured 18 trees and measured 41 new trees. The bulk of the new trees were in Baltimore County, thanks to Marc, Wanda and Linda. They have been exploring the Lake Roland area; an area with a long history that has undergone a considerable financial refurbishment. Many of the trees in the area may date back 100 years or more. They are working with the Nature Center to create a “Tree Walk”, similar to what the Frederick Forestry Board has done in downtown Frederick.

Howard Board member Marty Adams, who works for Bartlett Tree Services, nominated 7 trees in Howard County which were subsequently measured by Joli and Geary.

A special tree was nominated and measured in Garrett County. It is a eastern white pine on private property at 309 points. As such it is the largest eastern white pine ever measured in Maryland, going back to 1925. It does have a large cavity in the trunk, which is a concern for its long-term health.

Figure 1. Garrett County eastern white pine

Natural Resources Career Camp (NRCC) Update:

· Gabrielle provided an overview of the NRCC program for the benefit of the board’s new guests.

Website Update:

Ron gave the update:

· The September and October meeting minutes were posted to the board’s website in January.

· The January meeting agenda was uploaded to the website in January.

Old Business:

· The board agreed to approve meeting minutes via email. Email review and approval should expedite the minutes being processed and posted to the website.

· The Board collectively provided an overview of the Board’s and DNR’s related functions and programs for the benefit of first time meeting guests. Topics discussed include Forestry Board seedling give away programs, DNR seedling programs and state tree nursery, Saint Mary Anne’s Spring Garden Market, 5^th grade poster contest, 5 Million Trees, and the upcoming meeting of the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE).

New Business:

· One Critical Area timber harvest plan was submitted to the DNR for review in December. Pending receipt of the DNR comments, the Critical Area Timber harvest plan may be reviewed at the Board’s meeting in February.

· The February meeting of the board was pushed back 1 week as to allow the Annual MAEOE Conference to occur prior to February’s meeting.

The meeting was adjourned approximately 9:30 PM.

The next meeting will be held on February 8th, at 6:00 PM.