Wildlife and Forest Coalition of Maryland

Represents 200,000 people in Maryland• Anacostia Watershed Society• Audubon Naturalist Society• Humane Society of the US• MAGIC• Maryland Native Plant Society• Green Democrats• National Park Trust• Sierra Club of Maryland• Urban Forest Initiative• Wildlife Land Trust

Bob DeGrootPresident, Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation1007 Aster Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850301-340-8348

Old Growth Forest

Do you feel - Logging should be given higher priority than protection of

forest land?- Protecting forest land should be given higher priority than

logging?- Or logging and protection of forest land be given equal

consideration?

Not Sure4%

Forest82%

Logging3%Equal

11%

Do you support or oppose designating more areas in Maryland's State Forests as "wildlands", where logging and

motorized vehicles are banned?

Oppose15% Support

78%

Not Sure7%

Public Opinion Surveyof

Maryland VotersOctober, 2001

byMason-Dixon Polling

and Research

Economic Value $M

$6.82

$26.78

Timber Operations All Recreation

Economic Values in Savage River State Forest - 1991

Other Recreation

18%

Boating8%

Sightseeing42%

Fishing14%

Hunting17%

Camping1%

Maryland Department of Economic &Employment Development

The Economic Impact of Savage River State Forest

in MarylandJune 1991

Forests Provide Essential Services to Humans and Other Species

• Provide habitat for many plants and animals• Clean the air we breathe • Filter pollutants from streams• Keep stream running cool and clear• Detoxify and decompose wastes• Moderate heat and droughts• Prevent diseases• Provide wood products and jobs

Sustainable Forestry

Forest Stewardship Council

• Non-profit organization that supports environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests

• Members include WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, as well as responsible companies such as IKEA and Home Depot,

• FSC accredits independent 3rd party certification programs

• Maintains independence between standards and operations seeking certification

• Operates in 62 countries worldwide

Amount of forested land is decreasingAmount of forested land is decreasing 46% of Maryland remains forested46% of Maryland remains forested

15% of forests owned by public; 50% is logged15% of forests owned by public; 50% is logged

85% privately owned85% privately owned

Public wants their land preserved, not loggedPublic wants their land preserved, not logged

More corridors and preserves are neededMore corridors and preserves are needed

An Appalachian Ecosystem is crucialAn Appalachian Ecosystem is crucial

More Protected Forests are Needed in Maryland