Frederick County Government has announced that its Creek ReLeaf reforestation program is now accepting applications from local landowners, with a deadline of December 31, 2026. The initiative is designed to encourage landowners with two or more acres of open or underused land to convert their property into permanent forests. Participants can receive up to $9,000 per acre along with five years of professional maintenance at no cost.
According to Project Manager Linda Williamson, the program aims to support rural landowners and enhance public lands within the county. “Creek ReLeaf gives us an opportunity to invest in our rural landowners and public lands within Frederick County,” Williamson stated. The county facilitates the entire process, covering costs for trees, planting, and care for young forests during their initial critical growth period. Landowners maintain ownership of their properties and can continue to use them for recreational or other compatible activities.
Since its inception in 2017, the Creek ReLeaf program has successfully planted over 650 acres of native trees across the county. The program’s success has also helped Frederick County secure additional funding for reforestation efforts, including a recent $904,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and a $649,800 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation aimed at converting an old golf course near Lake Linganore into a protected forest.
Landowners interested in participating in the Creek ReLeaf program can find more information and apply online. Additionally, several open house events are scheduled for potential applicants to meet county staff, view photos of local projects, and ask questions. Upcoming open houses will be held on October 20 at the Middletown Library, November 5 at the Thurmont Regional Library, November 14 at the University of Maryland Extension Services building, and December 8 at the Walkersville Library.
For further inquiries, interested parties can contact Linda Williamson by email at CreekReLeaf@FrederickCountymd.gov or by phone at 240-608-7426.
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Read the original article at Frederick County Government