Woodland Stewardship Education program

02/11/2026

Registration is now open for our Spring session of The Woods in Your Backyard online course. This non-credit, self-directed course will help you become a better steward of your land by shifting areas of lawn into un-mowed natural areas or woodlands. Learn more at https://go.umd.edu/the_course or register at Eventbrite today! https://WIYB-Spring2026.eventbrite.com

Our online course helps small-acreage property owners get the most out of their land by creating or managing existing woodlands.

02/11/2026

Registration is now open for our Spring session of The Woods in Your Backyard online course. This non-credit, self-directed course will help you become a better steward of your land by shifting areas of lawn into un-mowed natural areas or woodlands. Learn more at https://go.umd.edu/the_course or visit https://WIYB-Spring2026.eventbrite.com to register today!.

02/26/2025

A new issue of Branching Out is now available! Check in on AI and its capacity to provide accurate and specific advice. Register for the spring session of our "The Woods in Your Backyard" course. Learn about a new national refuge in southern MD and about one couple's work on their natural areas. Read about Sugar Maple in our "Native Trees of Maryland" feature and about incised fumewort in our "Invasives in Your Woodland" feature. And more! https://go.umd.edu/Winter_2025

02/10/2025

Registration is now open for our Spring session of The Woods in Your Backyard online course. This non-credit, self-directed course will help you become a better steward of your land by shifting areas of lawn into un-mowed natural areas or woodlands. Learn more at https://go.umd.edu/the_course or click the link at the end of the video.

08/29/2024

There's still time to join us for our Fall session of The Woods in Your Backyard... but not much! The session begins September 9, so if you've been waiting to register, now's the time! The non-credit, self-directed course will help you become a better steward of your land by shifting areas of lawn into un-mowed natural areas or woodlands. Learn more at https://go.umd.edu/the_course

08/17/2024

A different perspective on what's happening in the canopy.

For trees, growing to maturity involves much more than just reaching upward.

08/13/2024

Join Madeline Potter, University of Maryland Extension Faculty Specialist for Entomology & IPM, for a lunch and learn webinar about the invasive spotted lanternfly: "Navigating the Spotted Lanternfly Buzz: Separating Science from Sensation," on August 21st from 12PM - 1PM ET over Zoom. Webinar registration: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYud-6prjooG9Hvik1oCtY-OOdRNCJ5jCNs #/registration.

08/13/2024

Did you know, regular citizens are the ones who often find new infestations of invasive species? Take a look at the trees near you this August and report suspicious insects or insect damage - you could just save a forest! 🌳💪😎

08/13/2024

The summer issue of "Branching Out" is now available! Catch up with our News and Notes, learn about our online courses starting soon, and much more! https://go.umd.edu/Summer_2024

08/11/2024

https://wtop.com/lifestyle/2024/08/from-bugs-to-trees-an-arborists-tips-for-spotting-invasive-species-in-your-backyard/

Some bugs are OK, others are not, and the same goes for trees growing in the D.C. region. What should you be on the lookout for?

08/10/2024

https://www.cbf.org/news-media/newsroom/2024/maryland/harford-county-settlement-to-require-abingdon-woods-reforestation-limit-future-development.html

In a positive step for forest conservation and clean water, Harford County has reached a settlement that will rescind the approvals for Abingdon Business Park and require developers to reforest parts of the property.