Maryland and D.C.

Appalachian Forests

Protecting, managing, and restoring a globally important landscape.

Western Maryland Forests We use science to better understand forest health and resilience to threats such as climate change. © Kent Mason

The lush Appalachian Mountains are one of the most climate-resilient, biologically diverse and carbon-rich landscapes in the world. This ancient chain of forested mountains, valleys, wetlands and rivers nurtures a rich variety of wildlife, cultures and communities. With 198 million acres spanning the continent from Alabama to the Canadian Maritime Provinces, the Appalachians is a critical 2,000-mile pathway of climate resilient lands and waters that store nearly a quarter of the forest carbon in the contiguous United States.

Western Maryland holds a critical slice of the Appalachian range. With large scale conservation lands to the south in West Virginia and to the north in Pennsylvania, keeping the forests of western Maryland healthy and connected is a top priority. Embedded in local western Maryland communities, our staff is focused on three primary strategies for forest conservation in western Maryland:

Appalachian Stronghold The Appalachians are a hotbed for salamander biodiversity, like this red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) at Maryland's Finzel Swamp Preserve. © Matt Kane / TNC

Person kneeling and setting up an ignition drone

Fire and Technology IGNIS drone operator Chase McLean prepares an ignition drone for a controlled burn at TNC’s Sideline Hill Creek Preserve. © Severn Smith / TNC

Potomac Highlands aerial Aerial image of old strip mines in Potomac Highlands © Sev Smith/TNC

Strategy 1

Protect

We protect some tracts of forest by purchasing them and managing them as nature preserves that are open to public recreation. For example, our Finzel Swamp Preserve is a unique frost pocket habitat that is rich in biodiversity and visited by thousands of nature enthusiasts each year. This preserve is also located directly in the Allegheny Front—a priority connecting link within the Appalachians.

Fire and Technology IGNIS drone operator Chase McLean prepares an ignition drone for a controlled burn at TNC’s Sideline Hill Creek Preserve. © Severn Smith / TNC

Strategy 2

Manage

Our management strategy is focused on achieving large scale impact through partnerships. We use cutting edge forestry science on our nature preserves and use learnings to lead collaborations with partners in the state and federal government that own and manage larger tracts of public lands. For example, TNC leads the way when it comes to controlled burning. TNC has been burning for 60 years, becoming the world's leading environmental nonprofit that conducts planned, controlled burns with more than 400 fire staff and volunteers in 35+ states.

Potomac Highlands aerial Aerial image of old strip mines in Potomac Highlands © Sev Smith/TNC

Strategy 3

Restore

Traveling through some parts of western Maryland and surrounding areas in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, the scars of past natural resource extraction are sometimes glaring. TNC is working to reforest these areas with native species that—over time—will provide habitat for wildlife while simultaneously sequestering carbon as they grow. This restoration work is being conducted across the region through a network of initiatives and partnerships dedicated to restoring Appalachian forests.

Our work to protect, manage and restore western Maryland’s Appalachian forests is done with the partnership and support of local communities. People in these communities rely on the natural abundance of Appalachian forests for their health, livelihoods and recreation. The Nature Conservancy is a global leader in conservation, but local communities are the generational stewards of these forests. We believe that building community engagement into conservation is the best way to ensure tangible, lasting results.

Our work in the Appalachians

Explore the articles below to learn more about TNC's work in Maryland's Appalachian region.

Potomac Highlands

The Potomac Highlands Preserve is a nearly 1,400-acre area in Garret County, MD within the Allegheny Front, a high-priority conservation corridor located within the globally important Appalachians.

Restoring Appalachian Forests

Conserving and strengthening our piece of the Appalachians—a critical migratory corridor for mammals, birds and amphibians.

Restoring Red Spruce Forests

New science is boosting TNC's 20-year effort to restore iconic red spruce forests in the Central Appalachians.

By Daniel White

Appalachians

One of TNC’s top priorities, this landscape spans 2,000 miles from Alabama to the Canadian Maritimes, a vast, nearly unbroken chain of forested mountains, valleys, wetlands and rivers.

Migration Marvels of the Appalachians

Each autumn and spring, the skies above the Appalachian Mountains come alive with movement. Explore some of the species you may encounter along this bustling wildlife corridor.