Forestry Workgroup Publications

This report outlines recommendations regarding the crediting of alley cropping and silvopasture for their water quality benefits in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Model.

View document [PDF, 608.1 KB] Agroforestry BMP Expert Panel Establishment Group Report

A guide designed to help state and local governments, conservation agencies, community groups and others plan and implement best management practices as part of the Watershed Implementation Plan process.

View document [PDF, 3.1 MB] Guidance for Forestry Practices in Phase III WIPs

Guidance on forestry best management practices and how best to verify that they have been correctly reported, installed and maintained.

View document [PDF, 130.3 KB] Forestry Workgroup BMP Verification Guidance

Recommendations from an expert panel for the Urban Tree Canopy Expansion best management practice, as well as for an Urban Forest Planting BMP.

View document [PDF, 4.2 MB] Urban Tree Canopy BMP Expert Panel Recommendations

The Riparian Buffer Expert Panel reviewed recent data on nutrient and sediment reductions from riparian buffers to determine whether updates or enhancements to the current riparian buffer practice credits are warranted.

View document [PDF, 1.3 MB] Recommendations of the Expert Panel for Riparian Forest and Grass Buffers Best Management Practices

This joint publication from the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service includes recommendations for conserving forests, conserving farms and strengthening conservation partnerships.

View document [PDF, 25.6 MB] Chesapeake Working Lands Conservation Strategy

A report on the progress and challenges of restoring riparian forest buffers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

View document [PDF, 1.5 MB] Buffering the Bay

By compiling data and information on the value, trends and threats to the condition and sustainability of forests in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, this report provides a valuable resource for those who wish to establish forest protection and sustainable management as a key strategy for improving the region's environment, economy and quality of life.

View document [PDF] The State of Chesapeake Forests

A guide to establishing a forest buffer efficiently, effectively and with a minimum of maintenance.

View document [PDF, 890.8 KB] Riparian Forest Buffer Design and Maintenance

A report on the conservation and restoration of streamside forests in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

View document [PDF] Riparian Forest Buffers: Linking Land and Water

This fact sheet explains how forests contribute to the protection, restoration and stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

View document [PDF] Forests and the Bay Fact Sheet

This fact sheet explains how riparian forests support healthy streams and benefit shad, herring, alewife and other migratory fish.

View document [PDF] Forested Riparian Zones and their Benefit to Anadromous Fish in Chesapeake Bay Fact Sheet

This fact sheet is designed to help state and local governments address the critical issues facing forest conservation in developing areas.

View document [PDF] Conserving Forest in the Developing Landscape Fact Sheet

This handbook provides professional land managers and planners with information on the functions, design, establishment and management of riparian forest buffers.

View document [PDF] Chesapeake Bay Riparian Handbook: A Guide for Establishing and Maintaining Riparian Forest Buffers

This literature review was designed to determine the effectiveness of forestry best management practices in reducing water quality impacts of forestry management operations within the Piedmont and Ridge-and-Valley regions.

View document [PDF] Forestry Best Management Practices and Water Quality in the Piedmont and Ridge and Valley Provinces

A compilation of riparian forest buffer demonstration sites in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

View document [PDF, 6.7 MB] Restoring a Bay Resource: Riparian Forest Buffer Demonstration Sites

This fact sheet explains how forest buffers are integral to the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

View document [PDF] Riparian Forest Buffers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Fact Sheet

This report describes how watershed jurisdictions are monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of forestry best management practices (BMPs).

View document [PDF] Forestry Best Management Practices in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Tracking Accomplishments

This report contains the principal findings and recommendations of a Chesapeake Executive Council-appointed panel on riparian forest buffers.

View document [PDF] Final Report of the Riparian Forest Buffer Panel

These case studies highlight innovative riparian buffer and forest conservation programs initiated and implemented by private citizens.

View document [PDF] Forest & Riparian Buffer Conservation: Local Case Studies from the Chesapeake Bay Program

The status, trends and importance of forests for the Bay's sustainable future.

View document [PDF, 2.7 MB] Conserving the Forests of the Chesapeake

Through the efforts of the U.S. Forest Service and its partners in the Forestry Workgroup, a riparian forest initiative has brought more focus on the need to better manage riparian areas and to recognize forests along waterways as a resource important to the Chesapeake Bay.

View document [PDF] Chesapeake Bay Riparian Forest Initiative Fact Sheet

This article discusses elements of the relationship between forests and water quality in the context of the forest buffer.

View document [PDF, 42.0 KB] The Role and Function of Forest Buffers For Nonpoint Source Management in the Chesapeake Bay Basin