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FCFB site navigator: Education programs Stronghold's demonstration forest Ecological communities and woodland wildlife habitats Related educational program links: Graduate school programs in forestry Wye Research and Education Center Maryland Cooperative Extension - College of Agriculture & Natural Resourses
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Education programsThe Frederick County Forestry Board (FCFB) periodically offers education programs. This page contains information on past FCFB offerings as well as current and up-coming programs from the FCFB as well as other groups in our area that are interested in forestry concerns. In 2006 and 2007 FCFB offered a series of lectures and field demonstrations for individuals wanting to become familiar with forestry practices and issues. The series extended from November 2006 to June of 2007 and was entitled Forestry 101 . The topics addressed included:
Natural Resources Careers Camp (NRCC)Natural Resources Careers Camp 2012 for high school students:
July 22-28, in Garrett County, MD. Join high school students from across Maryland at this week-long camp in Garrett County to explore careers and college studies in natural resources.
Registration begins December 1, 2011. Space is limited to 42 NRCC students. Applicants will be interviewed and approved on a first-come basis. In addition, students from bordering states (DC, DE, PA, VA, WV) are welcome to apply and will be interviewed by the nearest local Forestry Board.
To learn more and apply visit the Maryland's Forest Consrvancy Disctrict Boards Web site.
2011 Natural Resources Careers Conference
Note: NRCC name has been changed to "Natural Resources Careers Camp" (effective Sept. 2011 - after the July 2011 conference).
Thirty high school students from Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania attended this July's week long conference on forestry and natural resources and their associated career pathways. It was held at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in beautiful western Maryland. Linnea Kriete, a junior at Middletown High School, represented Frederick County. In addition, Joey Williams, a senior at Walkersville High School and a NRCC 2010 graduate, returned this year as a student staff assistant. As NRCC graduates, both Linnea and Joey are eligible to receive a $500 scholarship if they enroll in a natural resources college program. Due to his staff assistant experience, Joey is applying for 96 hours of student service learning credit for FCPS.
The participants learned a lot of material in one busy but fun-filled week, taught by college professors and professionals in the field, through classroom and hands-on field experiences. Curriculum Director and Allegany College Forestry Professor Steve Resh selected five of his college students to serve as small group team leaders, establishing a teacher:student ratio was 1:6. Topics covered included wildlife biology, stream ecology, fire suppression, soils, GPS/GIS technology, silviculture, tree
identification, urban forestry, tree climbing, tree planting and pruning, chain saw safety, data sampling and forest measurements, and forest management. The students benefited from veteran professional instructors, passionate evening speakers, professional panels, and College Night where representatives from seven area colleges and universities touted their natural resources programs.
Field trips included the Casselman River State Park, Wood Products sawmill, and Deep Creek Lake State Park.
A great time was had by all, so mark your calendars now for the next camp:
NRCC 2012: July 22-28
Pictures of NRCC 2011 (photo from Lynne Marquess)
  Stream ecology class with MDNR fisheries biologist Alan Klotz at the Casselman River.
 Joe Williams checking out a black snake during the Scales N' Tales presentation by MDNR Parks Specialist and former NRCC graduate Marie Perrin.
 Linnea Kriete with Frostburg State University college professor at NRCC College Night.
 Joe Williams with Virginia Tech college professor at NRCC College Night.
 Linnea Kriete testing the ropes and harness while tree climbing at NRCC.
 Joe WIlliams tree climbing on Urban Forestry Day at NRCC.
 Linnea Kriete competing in the 2-person saw race at NRCC.
 NRCC staff (from left to right): Education Committee co-Chair John Dingedahl, Curriculum Director Steve Resh, student Staff Assistant Joe Williams, Staff Assistant and FCFB member Lynne Marquess, Logistics Director Connie Hoge, and Camp Director Gabrielle Oldham.
 NRCC students touring Wood Products sawmill in Oakland.
 NRCC student group learning tree planting skills with Dave Keane, Frederick County resident and Howard County Recreation and Parks Natural Resources Specialist.
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To learn more about the NRCC experience you can view a 6-minute video created by a former participant. ---------- Every year the members of the Education Committee of the Maryland Association of Forestry Boards start the task of planning, organizing, recruiting, and fund raising for the Natural Resources Careers Conference (NRCC). It is an arduous task that involves the 24 Maryland Forestry Boards and that takes over half the year culminating in a successful program held the last full week in July at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County, Maryland. Why do a bunch of volunteers endure this difficult effort year after year? The answer is simple and straightforward. Year after year, the high school students who attend the conference tell us it is a great experience. And some of those kids, inspired by a conference speaker, counselor, educator, or experience, decide to continue on in a natural resources career. Occasionally we have younger siblings participate in NRCC because the parents remember us from previous years. But for as far back as I can remember, this July was the first time that a former camper's child also attended NRCC, though the program's name has evolved over the years and was called by other titles.
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