Healthy Forests: Proactive Strategies for Managing Threats and Promoting Conservation

February 24, 2026 - February 25, 2026
Frederick, MD

This workshop will convene in-person on Tuesday-Wednesday, February 24-25, 2026 at the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick, MD.

The Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) will host a workshop to integrate insights from scientific research, expert testimony, and case studies to build a comprehensive framework of monitoring programs, adaptive management strategies, collaborative efforts, and other measures for achieving meaningful conservation outcomes. The main objectives of this workshop are:

  • Identify major stressors to forest health and resilience in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including from changing environmental conditions, land use change, non-native species, pests, diseases, and other stressors.
  • Evaluate whether and the extent to which the major stressors identified (and interactions between multiple stressors) may lead to declines in forest health through impairment of forest ecology.
  • Evaluate how impairments to forest ecology may impact the ability of forests to improve water quality, how these impairments may lead to forest loss, and the implications of these for meeting the Bay Program’s goals.
  • Develop actionable recommendations for improving forest health and resilience to enhance conservation outcomes through silvicultural practices, invasive species management, policy, community engagement, and other incentives, in addition to traditional conservation.

This workshop is designed to support implementation of the forest conservation outcome in the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

Workshop Steering Committee:
* STAC Member

 

If you have any questions, please contact Meg Cole, STAC Coordinator, at colem@chesapeake.org.