Maryland Receives National Acclaim for Enacting the Sustainable Forestry Act of 2009

Annapolis, Maryland: On September 21, 2009, Maryland's Department of Natural Resources (Forest Service) was honored at the 87th annual meeting of the National Association of State Foresters for having enacted the Sustainable Forestry Act of 2009 - "Outstanding Forestry Legislation of 2009". This prestigious award was bestowed upon Maryland by the National Woodland Owner's Association - an award not annually given and one most coveted within the Nation's forest community. Three days later at the same gathering, Maryland's State Forester (Steve Koehn) was elected as the President of the National Association of State Foresters.

"The honor bestowed upon Maryland by the Nation's forest community is unprecedented. At one time, Maryland is not only recognized for having enacted America's best sustainable forestry law, but its own State Forester (Steve Koehn) is elected by his peers as their new Leader" stated Gary Allen, Chairman of the Partnership for Sustainable Forestry. "Maryland's forest community has cause for celebration of this historic two-fold achievement. It will never happen again in our lifetime."

"On March 4, 2009 before the House Environmental Matters Committee (Maryland General Assembly), I informed the Members the eyes of the Nation were upon Maryland as it deliberated the proposed Sustainable Forestry Act", noted Steve Koehn. "When it was enacted, my peers from across the country called to congratulate Maryland for having enacted a sustainable forestry Act worthy of national emulation. It was an exhilarating moment and one rivaled only by the honor afforded me by my peers as being elected as the President of the National Association of State Foresters. It is an honor of a lifetime, from both perspectives."

The Partnership for Sustainable Forestry is an alliance of forestry, business and conservation organizations whose primary objective is to promote the prudent and sustainable management of Maryland's rural and urban forest resources through advocacy, education, awareness and collaboration.