Wildlife Habitat Management at Merkle
Merkle NRMA was originally established as a wildlife sanctuary to protect local wildlife, especially migratory Canada geese. Effective wildlife management requires long-term adaptive management strategies that adjust to the changing landscape. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service and Maryland Park Service are working together on a new wildlife habitat management project at Merkle NRMA to more effectively provide high-quality habitat in the mosaic of existing agriculture and forest space.
The goal of this wildlife habitat management plan for Merkle NRMA is to enhance habitat diversity and improve conditions for key wildlife species, including migratory waterfowl, upland game birds, pollinators, and native mammals. The plan seeks to achieve a balance between ecological stewardship and public recreation through the implementation of three primary habitat management strategies: early successional habitat management within agricultural hedgerows, standing corn retention for wintering waterfowl, and sunflower plantings that will provide pollinator habitat as well as a valuable food source intended to many seed eating birds and animals.
In the 1980’s, hedgerows were planted at Merkle NRMA by wildlife staff to create shrubby wildlife habitat. Management delays allowed these hedgerows to become overmature, and their wildlife habitat value has decreased over time. Maintenance activities including invasive species removal, planting native herbaceous and woody vegetation plantings, and other management techniques will be applied to these areas that mimic natural disturbance caused by storms or fire. Many wildlife species depend on early successional habitat, and we are thrilled to be able to bring them what they need. While the early stages of these activities may look alarming, the result will greatly improve this area’s value to wildlife and the visitors who appreciate this landscape.
The second component of this plan addresses habitat needs for migratory geese by retaining 10 acres of standing corn through the winter. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working with our local farmer in a fruitful partnership to provide this overwintering food for wildlife.
The third component of this plan involves converting a portion of the existing agricultural fields into a sunflower plot for regulated dove hunting. Stay tuned for more information on this topic! This project supports the Maryland Park Service’s mission to address environmental issues and provide high-quality wildlife habitat. For more information, please contact Maryland Park Service Natural Resources Planner Maddy Williams at [email protected].
