Luke Macaulay, Wildlife Management Specialist | lukemac@umd.edu
University of Maryland Extension
The Delmarva Woodland Stewards program teaches enthusiastic individuals how to be stewards of the land, and advocates for stewardship in their community.
This educational program will teach forest and wildlife management practices and leadership skills to a select group of landowners and help support these individuals to be informed leaders in their community to enhance forest and wildlife stewardship. In exchange, participants are expected to apply these principles to property they own or manage, and/or actively encourage others to practice good forest stewardship using the principle of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor.” The Delmarva Woodland Stewards program is an educational program developed by University of Maryland Extension in partnership with University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, Delaware Forest Service, Maryland Forest Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
What is the format of the program?
This course is a mix of self-study with weekly online discussion for 6 weeks, and an in-person field trip. Every week participants are assigned 3 hours of video lectures or readings, and will join a weekly online session for 1.5 hours from 6:30pm-8:00pm to review the material and discuss the topic with local professionals. We will host an all-day field trip on November 5 to local sites highlighting the forest management practices discussed in class. The tentative agenda is as follows:
- October 4, 2022, 6:30pm – 8:00pm: Welcome & Introductions
- October 11, 2022, 6:30pm – 8:00pm: Introduction to Forestry
- October 18, 2022, 6:30pm – 8:00pm: Managing Woodlands for Wildlife
- October 25, 2022, 6:30pm – 8:00pm: Water Quality in Woodlands
- November 1, 2022, 6:30pm – 8:00pm: Prescribed Fire for Management Goals
- November 5, 2022, 8:00am – 4:00pm: In-person Field Trip
- November 8, 2022, 6:30pm – 8:00pm: Wrap-up and Volunteering Action Plan
How much does the program cost?
Each participant is expected to contribute $35 toward the cost of their training plus a $15 background check which is required for University of Maryland Extension volunteers. The cost of the program has been generously subsidized with the support of a Landscape Scale Restoration Grant from the USDA Forest Service grant awarded to the Maryland Forest Service.
What is expected of Participants?
In return for the educational training, participants agree to contribute at least 40 hours over the course of the following year to outreach and education efforts. Examples of acceptable projects include volunteering for forestry and wildlife organizations like their state’s natural resources management agency, non-profit organizations, local land trusts, forest associations, Tree Farm Programs, or your local conservation boards and agencies. Additional opportunities include hosting educational programs on your property, writing articles, creating educational content on social media, speaking to community groups, or talking with your friends, family and neighbors about good forest stewardship. Each participant will develop an action plan that matches their interests and talents.
How are Delmarva Woodland Stewards selected?
All are welcome to apply. Priority is given to applicants who own or manage woodland and who demonstrate an interest in providing leadership and education about forest and wildlife stewardship in their communities. The application deadline is July 1, 2022. Selections for the program will be made by August 1st, 2022.
How to apply?
If you are interested in applying for the Delmarva Woodland Stewards program, please complete an application at go.umd.edu/delmarva or contact Taylor Robinson at taylormr@umd.edu to request a hard-copy application via mail.
