Friday, 18 October 2013
Maryland's landmark no-net-loss policy aims to combat climate change
© George C Gress - The Nature Conservancy
October 18, 2013
Maryland’s Forest Preservation Act of 2013, which went into effect on October 1st, is designed to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. The law requires that the State stay at or above its current tree canopy level of 40 percent.
This first-of-its-kind legislation offers new incentives for landowners to plant trees and better manage their forests, include tools and tax benefits for citizens and local governments.
“Climate disruption is real,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “If we want to stabilize climate, safeguard human health and protect the future of our planet we must act today to ensure our forests are healthy and abundant for the generations of tomorrow.”
FSC certification of state forests is one of the tools offered by the new legislation. Currently Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources manages 204,000 acres of FSC Certified forestland.
Read more about the policy here.