Western Mountains: March Meeting & Program

Topic: A Springtime Arbor Day Celebration: The Early Beginnings of Forest Conservation in Western Maryland and the Liberty Tree 

Speaker: Champ Zumbrun, Member of the Allegany County Forestry Board  

Zumbrun will speak of the early beginnings of forest conservation in western Maryland that include visits to the area by none other than Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot. He will also speak about the Champion Big Tree program which originated under the leadership of Fred W. Besley, Maryland’s First State Forester. Along with the Wye Oak, The Maryland Liberty Tree was one of the first Big Tree Champions in Maryland and helped to launch the Big Tree Champion program nationally.

Zumbrun served as forest manager of Green Ridge State Forest until he retired in 2009 after 31 years working as a professional forester for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He was a fully commissioned law enforcement officer, Maryland ranger and natural resource manager in the state forest and park public lands system. Zumbrun holds a bachelor of science degree in forest resource management , a master of science in management and graduated from the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy. He is a published author of a book and many articles about outdoor recreation and history of public lands management in Maryland. He serves as environmental chair on the Governor's Board for the Lions Club. In 2009, Zumbrun received a national award for Outstanding Field Forester from the Society of American Foresters. Zumbrun currently is a member of the Allegany County Forestry Board and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission. 

This free program will begin promptly at 7:00 pm; the public is welcome to attend.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 33 (Braddock Rd & Midlothian Rd exit). Follow Braddock Road approximately 1.3 miles to stop sign. Turn left onto Park Avenue. Drive a short distance and turn left, following signs for the Compton Parking Lot.

No registration.