Creek ReLeaf - Reforesting Frederick County

About the Program

The Creek ReLeaf Program is designed to increase the total amount of forested area within Frederick County, including on privately owned lands and public properties. This project is funded in part by Maryland’s Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.

The Creek ReLeaf program creates permanent conservation easements for eligible parcels of land at least 2 acres in size. (Multiple properties can combine to create a single, contiguous parcel of 2 acres or more for this program.) The program provides property owners with:

a land assessment,
a forest plan,
installation of native trees and shrubs,
five years of mowing and tree maintenance to establish the forest stand,
and payment for the conservation easement placed on the planted parcel.

In addition to improving environmental quality, this work can reduce the landowner's maintenance burdens, such as mowing, controlling invasive species, and dealing with difficult slopes, drainage issues, or soil erosion.

After five years of County-provided support and maintenance, property maintenance reverts to the land owner. County staff can link landowners to additional resources and will also perform site inspections every three years to ensure the new forest is healthy and growing. As trees mature, the property owner can harvest wood selectively and enjoy the many benefits of a beautifully reforested parcel of land.

As of 2024, more than 575 acres of land have been reforested through the Creek ReLeaf program!

Download Creek ReLeaf Program Overview.

How to Participate

Prior to applying, interested property owners should do the following:

Review a copy of the County's proposed Permanent Conservation Easement.
Determine what section of your property you are interested in having reforested. If you have less than two acres to be reforested, partner with adjacent property owners to propose an eligible parcel.
You can use our online tool to help estimate the size of the proposed parcel for planting: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/7924
Determine if any existing easements are located on the property.
Know where any wells and/or septic fields may be on the property (as these areas cannot be reforested).

Apply Now! The application period will be open through December 30, 2025.

When ready to apply, an online application is greatly preferred:

www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Apply4CreekReLeaf

A pdf application is also available.

Application neither guarantees acceptance in the program nor obligates a property owner to participate.

Frederick County Government staff will rank and prioritize proposed reforestation areas using the scoring criteria listed below:

Size of proposed reforestation project. (The minimum acreage to be reforested must be at least 2 acres. Multiple property owners can join together to increase their chances of being accepted.)
The project's potential to expand or connect existing forests.
The parcel's proximity to a stream with poor water quality or streambank erosion.
Ease of access to the site for planting, maintenance, and long-term monitoring.
Presence of other nearby restoration efforts to improve watershed health.
Sites must be outside of the following municipal boundaries: Brunswick, Emmitsburg, Frederick City, Middletown, Mount Airy, Myersville, Thurmont, and Walkersville.

Know Your Land

Reforestation will not be permitted on parcels with:

Existing easements such as water, sewer, power lines, etc.
Existing or proposed septic fields.
Existing agricultural easements where conflict may occur.