Watershed Steward:
Ed Bodmer

____________________________________________

Click here for printer friendly version (Size: 43 KB)

Located in a heavily forested section on the east slope of Mar-lu-Ridge is a 19 acre forested tract owned by Ed and Nancy Bodmer of Buckeystown Maryland.  The Bodmer’s purchased this property in the late 1970’s with the idea of building a home on it some day.  However, these plans were abandoned and the Bodmer’s now treasure the property as a as a place to escape to for some peace and quiet and a source of firewood.  The Bodmer’s are the proprietors of Bodmer’s Pottery and Wood Stove in Buckeystown and they heat their home and business entirely with firewood.

Here’s Ed trying to stay warm on a chilly January morning.

After the Bodmer’s purchased this property they sought out advice with the Maryland Forest Service and the initial management plan was prepared in 1981 by Forester, Greg Oresick.  This plan placed the woods on a firewood harvest rotation so as to provide a continuous supply of firewood. The late 1980’s brought about the threat of gypsy moth and Mr. Bodmer estimates that the property has been sprayed about 3 times since he has owned it. The initial management plan was revised in 1998 continuing the management goal of supply a continuous supply of firewood.   Mr. Bodmer’s goal is to continue harvesting firewood, keep the woods healthy so that it will continue to develop into a “old growth’ forest.  Mr. Bodmer hopes that this land will always be forested.  For his stewardship of this land Mr. Bodmer was nominated as a Watershed Steward.

Mr. Bodmer inspects some more downed trees across his trail… more firewood.