Menu

Habitat Management

Sort by:
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: August 12, 2024

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? The join us for our self-directed, non-credit online course. It runs for ten weeks, from September 6 to November 15.
The Woods in Your Backyard online course logo
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)
Updated: May 30, 2024

Branching Out Spring 2024 News and Notes

In the News and Notes roundup for this issue: An elusive and threatened species is caught on trail cams; a group works to restore native forests on reclaimed coal mines; researchers document the wildlife benefits of timber management; and one last bloom for a tree nicknamed "Stumpy."
Updated: February 1, 2024

Branching Out - Fall 2023

In this issue: New grant funding sources available. Read about the recent Delmarva Woodland Stewards workshop and field trip, and about using the i-Tree app to create woodland assessments. One of our regular features, the "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight," looks at the North American river otter, and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at the white mulberry tree. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.
GPS plots of trees at Wye Research & Education Center
Updated: January 17, 2024

15 Ways to Address Nature-Deficit Disorder Anywhere, Anytime (EBR-2023-0664)

Authors: Amy Lang

Nature is a powerful tool in the healthy development of children. This extension brief provides quick, easy, accessible suggestions on how to access nature with young children. We hope you enjoy your time outdoors Author: Amy Lang; Title: 15 Ways to Address Nature-Deficit Disorder Anywhere, Anytime (EBR-2023-0664)