Habitat Management | University of Maryland Extension

Updated: March 18, 2026

Birds and Other Wildlife Need Small Trees, Shrubs, and Early Successional Habitats (EB-2025-0771)

Authors: Daniel Pratson - Luke Macaulay - Kyle Magdziuk - Ben Larson

Early successional habitat, characterized by high densities of small trees and shrubs, is important for native wildlife in Maryland. However, this habitat type covers only a small portion of Maryland's landscape and has declined significantly in recent years. Many tree- and shrub-planting projects are underway across the state, and these efforts can help reverse the decline of early successional habitat conditions by establishing plantings consisting of short-statured trees and shrubs. This publication lists short-statured trees and shrubs native to Maryland that are commonly available from nurseries statewide. It also provides recommendations for establishing and managing early successional habitats. Authors: Daniel F. Pratson, Luke T. Macaulay, Kyle Magdziuk, and Ben Larson Title: Birds and Other Wildlife Need Small Trees, Shrubs, and Early Successional Habitats (EB-2025-0771).

Updated: December 16, 2025

Natural Area Management Services Directory: Establishing/Managing Wildlife Habitat

Establishing and/or managing wildlife habitat helps property owners reach their goals for assisting one or more native species. Providers of wildlife establishment and/or management are listed here.

Updated: August 4, 2025

Registration is Now Open For the Fall Session of “The Woods in Your Backyard” Online Course

Are you a small-acreage property owner who wants to learn how to care for or how to expand existing woodlands, or how to convert lawn space to woodlands? Then join us for our self-directed, non-credit online course. It runs for ten weeks, from September 8 to November 17.

Updated: May 23, 2025

Ghost forests are growing as sea levels rise

Clusters of tree trunks, stripped clean of bark, are appearing along the Chesapeake Bay on the United States’ mid-Atlantic coast. They are ghost forests: the haunting remains of what were once stands of cedar and pine.

Saltwater overtaking coastal forests kills trees, like these loblolly pines in the Chesapeake Bay’s Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Photo: Will Parson, Chesapeake Bay Program / FLICKR

Updated: February 24, 2025

New USFWS Refuge to Protect Woodland Habitat in Southern MD

In December 2024, US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the creation of Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge. The first donation of 31 acres from The Nature Conservancy is one of several planned over the coming months of more than 300 acres. USFWS officials will continue to work to secure voluntary conservation of up to 40,000 acres of important wildlife habitat within four watershed-based focus areas in Maryland.

The areas targeted for protection by the new Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge provide habitat for forest-interior and grassland-dependent birds as well as waterfowl and shorebirds. Photo courtesy Matt Kane/The Nature Conservancy

Updated: November 5, 2024

Branching Out - Winter 2022

Read some "parting thoughts" from Extension Forester Jonathan Kays prior to his retirement. Our regular features include the "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight," "Invasives in Your Woodland," plus the events calendar, the Brain Tickler challenge, and the News and Notes section.

Screenshot of Jonathan Kays on Voice of America

Updated: October 23, 2024

Branching Out - Winter 2023

In this issue: Help us learn more about our readers and subscribers by taking our short survey. Read about a potential ally in the fight against hemlock wooly adelgid, and how Marylanders can get a rebate for planting native trees. There's information about our spring session of "The Woods in Your Backyard" online course, plus our regular features: the "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight" looks at the American beaver and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at Princess tree. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.

American beaver in Dorchester County, MD. Photo © bev45, iNaturalist.org

Updated: October 23, 2024

Branching Out - Fall 2018

Read the "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight" and "Invasives in Your Woodland," a new invasive insect you should know called Spotted Lanternfly, and the Brain Tickler challenge.

Spotted Lanternfly. Photo by Pennsylvania Dept. of Agriculture

Updated: October 23, 2024

Branching Out - Winter 2018

Read about the "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight" and "Invasives in Your Woodland," a recap of October's Maryland Woodland Stewards workshop, and the Brain Tickler challenge.

Garlic Mustard. Photo by Ansel Oommen, Bugwood.org

Updated: June 26, 2024

Recovering Northern Bobwhite Quail: A Guide to Habitat Management (FS-2023-0683)

Authors: Luke Macaulay

Northern bobwhite quail populations in Maryland have experienced significant declines over the past 50 years. This publication provides a comprehensive guide to habitat management aimed at reversing this trend. The key strategy involves creating and managing early successional habitats, which are essential for quail survival. These habitats include a diverse mix of forbs, native bunchgrasses, and shrubby cover. Effective management practices highlighted in the guide include fallowing agricultural land, implementing forest management techniques, using prescribed fire, disking, applying herbicides, and managing grazing. Each practice contributes to maintaining the habitat structure necessary for quail and other species. By fostering these habitats, landowners can support not only quail but also a broader range of grassland and shrubland bird species, as well as other wildlife. The guide emphasizes that proactive and consistent habitat management is crucial for the recovery and long-term sustainability of northern bobwhite quail populations in Maryland. Author: Luke Macaulay; Title: Recovering Northern Bobwhite Quail: A Guide to Habitat Management (FS-2023-0683)