MEETING MINUTES

 

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Black Hill Ranger Station

 

Attendees:

                                                           

Gabrielle Oldham        Dori Murphy

Ron Anderson             Tom Frederick

John Bennett              

                       

 

Treasurer’s Report:

 

Submitted by Tom Frederick

 

The members present discussed financial statue of the Forestry Board accounts.

 

Gabrielle or Ron will inquire about request for donation from the Elkton VFW to fund a donation to NRCC student scholarships.

 

Tom will look into ordering checks.

 

Update on Big Tree Program:

 

John, Dori, Kathie and Joli measured trees in the County on April 14th.  John presented pictures of various trees of the day.  Several trees were measured on Kathie’s property.  He also presented some of the trees he measured with the Hudock’s through the month at ENSP and Fair Hill.  

 

John reported that a meeting has been proposed by the Forest Service to review the small multi-stem exotic shrubs/trees policy with the State Big Tree Committee.  The policy now is to not accept new plants of this type.  Especially if they can’t reach 100 points.

 

St. Mary Anne’s Garden Show Set-Up:

 

The Board set up the final schedule and materials needed for the Garden Show.  It runs two days, Friday the 3rd and Saturday the 4th.  Setup day is on Thursday.  White pine seedlings will be given out.

 

NRCC Update:

 

Gabrielle reported NRCC has 40 accepted students.  Should be able to reach 42.  A previous Cecil camp student will be serving as staff assistant at NRCC this year.  Cecil has 3 students.

 

 

Website Update:

 

Ron added a County champion to the website.  He also added last month’s minutes.

 

Ron is looking at doing something on the website with the currently living Bi-Centennial/Penn trees as far as descriptions and locations of public trees.

 

Irwin CA THP Review:

 

The Board reviewed and provisionally voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the Irwin 2.7 acre Critical Area Timber Harvest Plan.  The Plan is currently being reviewed by the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service.    Tom will notify the Board of the outcome of the Environmental Review.  If changes occur the Plan may need to be reviewed again.

 

 

New Business:

 

Ron reported that a few of Wye Oak “grandkids” germinated seedlings are hanging on, but there were significant losses.

 

Dori also mentioned that the amount of chestnut oak seedlings around her yard were a lot fewer in number this year.

 

Tom informed the Board of the announcement of the closing of the Verso paper plant (formerly Westvaco) in Luke, MD on June 30th.  This will not only impact the economy of western Maryland, but impact forest management activities in the area.

 

Tom presented Dori with her re-appointment certificate.