Forests

Forests cover about 60% of the watershed, yet forest loss and fragmentation from development threatens up to 5.5 million acres of the most valuable forests. Conserving our region’s forests is key to maintaining wildlife, drinking water supplies, water quality, recreation, tourism, and economic sustainability.

Through the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership, NPS Chesapeake Gateways partners to protect headwater and riparian forests, large forest blocks, woodlots providing multiple values, and forests conducive to timber harvests. The articles below highlight some of the important work happening to make this goal a reality. To learn more about the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership’s work with farmlands within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, click this link.