Wildlife and Forest Coalition of Maryland Represents 200,000 people in Maryland Anacostia Watershed Society Audubon Naturalist Society Humane Society of the US MAGIC Maryland Native Plant Society Green Democrats National Park Trust Sierra Club of Maryland Urban Forest Initiative Wildlife Land Trust Bob DeGroot President, Maryland Alliance for Greenway Improvement and Conservation 1007 Aster Blvd., Rockville, MD

Old Growth Forest

Public Opinion Survey of Maryland Voters October, 2001 by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research

Maryland Department of Economic & Employment Development The Economic Impact of Savage River State Forest in Maryland June 1991

Forests Provide Essential Services to Humans and Other Species Provide habitat for many plants and animals Clean the air we breathe Filter pollutants from streams Keep stream running cool and clear Detoxify and decompose wastes Moderate heat and droughts Prevent diseases Provide wood products and jobs

Sustainable Forestry Forest Stewardship Council Non-profit organization that supports environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests Members include WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth, as well as responsible companies such as IKEA and Home Depot, FSC accredits independent 3 rd party certification programs Maintains independence between standards and operations seeking certification Operates in 62 countries worldwide

Amount of forested land is decreasing Amount of forested land is decreasing 46% of Maryland remains forested 46% of Maryland remains forested 15% of forests owned by public; 50% is logged 15% of forests owned by public; 50% is logged 85% privately owned 85% privately owned Public wants their land preserved, not logged Public wants their land preserved, not logged More corridors and preserves are needed More corridors and preserves are needed An Appalachian Ecosystem is crucial An Appalachian Ecosystem is crucial More Protected Forests are Needed in Maryland