Maryland's Wild Acres

http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/habitat/wildacres.aspx

 

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. Backyard wildlife habitat can increase food and shelter for wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways, conserve water, improve water quality, inspire stewardship and beautify the landscape. The goal of the Wild Acres program is to create backyard habitats across the State that maximize wildlife benefits and highlight conservation stewardship. Backyard wildlife habitat can include decks, yards, large lots and everything in between. 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, Habi-Chat, is produced which highlights native plants, animals and habitat-enhancing activities. While the Wild Acres certification program does not exist anymore, homeowners can still use Wild Acres information to enhance their habitats. You can certify wildlife habitat through the National Wildlife Federation and/or the Maryland BayWise program.
So, if you feed wild birds, place nest boxes around your house and/or planted flowers and shrubs to attract wildlife, then you are already part of Maryland’s Wild Acres! Check out the fact sheets below as well as previous Habi-Chat publications for useful tips and tricks to attract wildlife. If you want to learn more about wildlife found in Maryland, then check out the Maryland Wildlife List 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 (see original article for active links)

• What’s the Buzz: All About Pollinators
• American Kestrel
• American Robin
• Barn Owls
• Bees
• Butterflies of Maryland
• Common Dragonflies and Damselflies
• Common Spiders of Maryland
• Discover Maryland's Bats
• Eastern Bluebirds
• Eastern Gray Squirrel
• Feeding Wild Birds
• Hummingbirds, Butterflies & Bees
• Living with Wildlife
• Northern Cardinal
• Mourning Dove
• Owls in Maryland
• Purple Martins
• Squirrels in Maryland
• Turtles in Maryland
• Wood Ducks
• Wrens

Landscaping for Wildlife

Habitat Suggestions

• Groundcovers
• Planting Shrubs for Wildlife
• Native Maryland Trees
• Shrub and Tree Pruning
• Water Drips for Wild Places
• WildScape; 1-Acre or More
• WildScape: Porches & Decks
• WildScape: Townhouses & Condominiums
• Backyard Ponds
• Bad Plants Planted by Good People
• Brush Piles
• Crops for Wildlife
• Feeding Wild Birds
• Hedgerows
• Mowing Cycles
• Predator Guards
• Snags and Logs
• Warm Season Grasses
• Wildflower Meadows

Greening Your Landscape

• Beneficial Bugs
• Composting
• Rain Barrels

Wildlife Identification Guides

• Common Backyard Herps
• Common Bees
• Common Butterflies and Skippers
• Common Feeder Birds
• Common Mammals

Backyard Wildlife Habitat Resources

Check Out Habichat! DNR's Online Quarterly Newsletter for Stewards of Maryland's Backyard Wildlife