purposes, including planting of
new forests and non-native invasive
plant control in existing forests.
These Planning Department
programs are helping to preserve
the beauty and sustainability of
the Ag Reserve so it can continue
to serve as a model for counties
all over the country seeking to
preserve open space and main-
tain agricultural lands. I am so
proud that our collective efforts
are resulting in a living, breath-
ing Ag Reserve that is moving into
its fifth decade of existence as a
strong and successful area that
will continue to be the green lungs
of Montgomery County and one of
our most treasured places.
Gwen Wright has served as Director of the
Montgomery County Planning Depart-
ment since 2013. Under Wright’s leader-
ship, the agency has streamlined develop-
ment review, updated the county’s zoning
ordinance and set high design standards
for walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.
Caroline Taylor, Gwen Wright and Dolores Milmoe stand amidst 200 trees recently
planted in 2019 as part of the Re-Leaf the Reserve initiative.
From its Rustic Roads program
(top), to reforestation efforts with
Montgomery Countryside Alliance
(middle), to its Agritourism Study
(Homested Farm pictured here),
the Montgomery County Planning
Department has worked to keep
the County’s vibrant rural charac-
ter a source of ongoing pride for
all to enjo y.
plenty I summer growing 2019
7