Today, more than ever, wild animals and plants are facing many pressures from humans. Many natural areas have been affected by people in some way, and the quality of wildlife habitat has been steadily decreasing. As a result, habitat loss is the
number one threat to wildlife and plants throughout the world.
Proper habitat for wildlife includes an area which supplies food, water, shelter and a place to raise their young. Because wild animals need areas of suitable habitat, your backyard, schoolyard or development can be designed to be a part of an important network of "Wild Acres" used by Maryland's wildlife.
Maryland’s Wild Acres is a voluntary program which encourages Maryland citizens to create backyard wildlife habitat. The Wild Acres program offers fact sheets on how landowners can enhance their habitat for wildlife by creating food, water and shelter resources. In addition to providing fact sheets, a quarterly publication,
HabiChat, is produced which highlights native plants, animals and habitat-enhancing activities.
If you want to learn more about wildlife found in Maryland, then check out the
Maryland Wildlife page. Keep in mind, Wild Acres does not provide license to ignore local or county laws, homeowners' agreements or other covenants. Please respect local guidelines.
Invite Wildlife to Your Backyard!
Wildlife Fact Sheets & Nest Box Plans
Landscaping for Wildlife
Greening Your Landscape
Identification Guides
Certify Your Landscape
Even More Resources:
Photo Credit: Red-bellied Woodpecker on peanut feeder, courtesy of Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's Project FeederWatch member Linda Williamson.
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Witcher (she/her)
Wildlife and Heritage Service
Tawes State Office Building, E-1
Annapolis MD 21401
410-260-8566
sarah.witcher1@maryland.gov
