About The Committee

The American Tree Farm System is a program for woodland owners who are committed to sustainably managing their woods for wood, water, wildlife and recreation.  Each state program is run by a diverse group of partners, such as state agencies, non-profit organizations, volunteers, foresters and landowners.

Maryland's Tree Farm Program

Maryland Department of Natural Resources is an official co-sponsor of the American Tree Farm Program in Maryland.  For more information, please visit the Maryland Tree Farm Program page at the Maryland DNR website.

Maryland Tree Farm Committee

The Maryland Tree Farm Committee is involved in a wide variety of activities and has great representation across various Maryland forest organizations and industry.

Committee Activities

• Scholarship

• Arbor Day

• Award Program for Tree Farmer of the Year

• Award program for Inspector of the Year

• Inspector Training

• Support University of Maryland Extension's Maryland Woodland Stewards

• Tree Farm Tours

• ATFS Leadership Conference

• Volunteerism: please contact us if you are interested in being a volunteer with the Maryland Tree Farm Program.

Committee Members

• Program Administrator: Robert Feldt, MD Forest Service

• Committee Chair: Carrie Oberholtzer, Baltimore County Government Liaison

• Past Chair: Craig Highfield, Program Manager, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

• Vice Chair: Jessica Baylor - Forester, Aberdeen Proving Ground

• Federal Government Liaison: Scott English - Forester, Aberdeen Proving Ground

• Secretary: Vacant

• Treasurer: Wayne Merkel, Landowner

• Database Chair: Justin Arseneault, MD Forest Service

• Eastern Region Tree Farm Representative: Richard Abend, Woodland Owner

• Southern Region Tree Farm Representative: Vacant

• Central Region Tree Farm Representative: Vacant

• Western Region Tree Farm Representative: Gary Holtz, Woodland Owner

• Forest Industry Liaison: Beth Hill, Dorchester County

• Consultant Forester Liaison: Len Wrabel, Mar-Len Environmental