Natural Lands Project
Balancing Natural Lands on Working Farms for Wildlife and Cleaner Water
About Us
Washington College's Center for Environment & Society initiated the Natural Lands Project (NLP) in 2015 with the goal of reversing declining wildlife populations, most notably Northern Bobwhite, while improving water quality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. NLP works with landowners, both private and public, who are interested in creating a balance on their properties between wildlife habitat and productive agriculture.
A diverse native warm season grass and wildflower buffer with row crops and a hedgerow in the background.
The Northern Bobwhite, an iconic and once abundant gamebird throughout its range (particularly here on Maryland’s Eastern Shore) can no longer thrive in today’s modern farming landscape without our help.
Male Northern Bobwhite in flight.
We are addressing the shifting seasonal needs of quail by adding native wildflower and grass meadows for nesting and brood rearing habitat during the summer months, and woody cover in the form of hedgerows, which provide much needed protection from predators in the winter months. A diverse and complex native landscape connected by corridors of early successional habitat is critical for quail survivorship.
There is a long history of cultural heritage surrounding quail. However, more than quail will benefit. Other grassland birds, countless pollinators, and even deer and turkey are taking advantage of the new habitat. Not to mention, the personal enjoyment that landowners get from the abundance of returning sights and sounds.
Countless insect species can be found throughout the project sites. Tiger Swallowtails (pictured to the right) and other less conspicuous insects like the Variable Dancer (above) all benefit from diverse early successional habitat.
In addition to installing diverse meadows, NLP has also been busy restoring shallow emergent wetlands, and planting thousands of trees to create larger contiguous forested areas.
A large afforestation project where a diverse mix of deciduous and conifer trees were planted and then protected with tree shelters. Tree shelters help protect the young saplings from harsh environmental elements and probably most importantly, provide protection from deer. Pictured to the right, a shallow freshwater wetland surrounded by upland meadows.
Wetlands - In addition to being “natural sponges” on the landscape, wetlands are critically important for wildlife habitat and also for carbon sequestration. Wetlands support numerous waterfowl species and are especially important nesting areas for the declining American Black Duck, in addition to supporting stop-over habitat for migrating shorebirds and habitat for amphibians.
Wetland installation in progress. Wetland locations are specifically chosen based on soil types, slope and landscape context.
Success to Date!
Over the last six years we have seen a marked increase in the number of breeding grassland birds, pollinators, and most importantly, quail have found the project sites. Landowners have reported seeing and hearing quail for the first time in many years, so we know our efforts are well worth it, and we aren’t surprised. The long-term efforts managing early successional habitat at our model farm, the River and Field Campus , have shown us that when you make a dedicated effort to set aside marginal cropland and install early successional habitat birds will thrive.
Partridge Pea is an fantastic native wildflower benefiting both pollinators and grassland birds.
By the Numbers (as of 2023)
Habitat Installed:
- Meadows - 1,371 acres
- Afforestation – 271 acres
- Wetlands – 98 acres
Nutrient Reductions (annually):
- Nitrogen – 40,782 pounds
- Phosphorus – 1,037 pounds
- Sediment – 2,001,275 pounds
Landscape Benefits
Finding the balance of habitat across properties, whether it’s diverse meadows, forested areas, or wetland habitat means wildlife populations are better off and Chesapeake Bay water quality will continue to improve.
Water Quality
The Chesapeake Bay Program has said:
The Chesapeake Bay ecosystem remains in poor health and the Bay continues to have polluted water, degraded habitats and low populations of many fish and shellfish species.
Improving water quality is a top priority of the Natural Lands Project. We have specifically chosen highly ranked Best Management Practices (BMPs) to help tackle failing Chesapeake Bay (and its tributaries) health. We not only install wetlands but also create native grass buffers that are important for:
- Slowing water runoff
- Removing up to 50% or more of nutrients and pesticides
- Removing up to 75% or more of sediments
- Serving as a source of food, nesting cover and shelter for wildlife
- Stabilizing stream banks
- Providing setbacks from agriculture fields
- Reducing downstream flooding
A native grass and wildflower buffer purposely installed between the crop field and the Chester River.
Northern Bobwhite
Northern Bobwhite are experiencing long-term population declines here in the mid-Atlantic. Based on current population distributions, Maryland's Eastern Shore represents the best opportunity to help rebuild populations in the State. Inspired and motivated by a thriving quail population on The River and Field Campus , we knew it was time to work with other dedicated landowners interested in helping quail. We have shown that quail can thrive alongside modern precision agricultural when you move away from edge to edge farming and dedicate areas of a property to habitat.
A pair of Northern Bobwhite.
But, you can't install habitat and then just walk away. "We had quail there not so long ago and I have done nothing to that area, but they are all gone now," is something that we commonly hear. Herein lies one of the prime challenges with early successional habitat loss. Quail thrive in a disturbed landscape. Take away that disturbance, and quail will be forced to move on as the habitat matures.
Grassland Birds
Grassland bird populations are declining precipitously throughout their range and this is particularly true for the east coast populations. Throughout the east, grassland and early successional habitat continues to decline at alarming rates for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to:
- Intensified agriculture
- Human population growth (urbanization)
- Maturation of eastern deciduous woodlands
A well concealed Grasshopper Sparrow nest (above). A male Dickcissel perches on Common Milkweed (right).
NLP conducts bird surveys pre- and post-habitat installation to document occupancy during the breeding season. The surveys are conducted on a annual basis to record the change in bird abundance and occupancy as the grasslands change from one year to the next.
A Song Sparrow with a bill full of food ready to feed a nest full of young birds in a recently installed buffer.
Pollinators
Many other taxa will benefit from increased grassland habitat, including many native pollinators such as inconspicuous native bees as well as the iconic Monarch Butterfly. Population declines can be attributed to many of the same reasons as grassland bird declines including: habitat loss and fragmentation, non-native species competition, increased use of pesticides, and climate change.
A dark-form female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Common Milkweed (above).
One of the very best management practices to help reverse declining native pollinator populations is to plant a diversity of native wildflowers and flowering shrubs.
Pearl Crescent.
Private Lands
92.4% of Maryland is privately owned. If we are to be successful in restoring Northern Bobwhites, pollinators, grassland bird populations and so much more, we will need the help of private landowners. As of 2023, NLP has worked on 64 privately owned properties across the Upper and Lower Eastern Shore. NLP is building a coalition of like-minded individuals interested in making a difference on their properties for wildlife and cleaner rivers.
NLP works with landowners from the upper and lower eastern shore creating native grassland habitat and restoring wetlands.
NLP has installed 22 wetlands on privately owned properties
NLP has created over 900 acres into native warm season grass and wildflower buffers and meadows on private lands
Public Lands
NLP is currently working on 7 county and state owned properties:
- Conquest Preserve (grasslands, wetlands, trees, and hedgerows)
- Cypress Branch State Park (trees and hedgerows)
- North County Park (grasslands and hedgerows)
- Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area (grasslands and trees)
- Tuckahoe State Park (grasslands, tree planting, and hedgerows)
- White Marsh Park (grasslands and hedgerows)
- Wye Island Natural Resource Management Area (wetlands)
These locations are open for the public to come and enjoy! Each location has multi-use goals and missions, and NLP is taking the lead in helping to create and manage early successional habitat for the benefit of both wildlife and the public.
Map depicting public properties where NLP is current working. As of 2023, NLP has created 440 acres of native warm season grass habitat and planted 271 acres in trees.
Showcase: Conquest Preserve
Conquest Preserve is owned by Queen Anne's County and is run by the Parks & Recreation Department . NLP received funding in 2018 MD DNR Trust Fund to restore, enhance and create habitat throughout the former agricultural fields on the property. In total, 207 acres of former cropland were converted to meadows, wetlands, and trees.
This large property situated between the Chester and Corsica Rivers is becoming a well-known birding hot spot - read more here - birdersguidemddc.org/site/conquest-preserve/
A Grasshopper Sparrow in the a field of Black-eyed Susans.
- In 2019, 137 acres of uplands were planted in native grasses and wildflowers, creating large open areas for nesting grassland wildlife, such as Grasshopper Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, Field Sparrows and Indigo Buntings to name a few. Walking and wildlife viewing trails (yellow lines) were created for park visitors to explore the property.
An early spring view of a portion of the grasslands on Conquest.
Grasslands on Conquest Preserve in the fall.
- 5 wetlands, totaling 32.3 acres, were restored in 2020 with the help of Partners for Fish and Wildlife . Wetlands are critical comments of a healthy landscape, helping to reduce sediment and excess nutrient runoff while providing much needed habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other aquatic inhabitants such as turtles and snails.
A shallow freshwater wetland on Conquest Preserve with the Corsica River in the background.
An Eastern Painted Turtle making its way to a newly restored freshwater wetland.
Shorebirds quickly flocked to the newly restored wetlands including Killdeer and Lesser Yellowlegs pictured here.
Two wood duck boxes were installed at each wetland as apart of the Maryland Wood Duck Initiative .
- 32 acres of uplands were planted in a hardwood, pine tree mix in 2020 to benefit Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS). These species and many others require large contiguous forested areas to meet their daily survival needs.
CES staff checking tree shelters in a large afforestation area on Conquest.
Hedgerows and Shrub Islands (black lines) - hedgerows and shrub islands were planted with native trees such as Eastern Red Cedar and a mix of native shrubs. These important habitat components will provide escape cover from predators and thermal refuge from the elements.
CES staff transplanting young Eastern Red Cedars into hedgerows on a late winter day at Conquest.
- 5 acres of shrubs and trees that produce human desired fruits were planted in 2020 so that local community members can forage and enjoy the taste of the wild.
Planted native shrubs and trees:
- Highbush Blueberry
- Black Chokeberry
- American Plum
- Downy Serviceberry
- Black Elderberry
- Common Persimmon
- Common Pawpaw
- American Hazelnut
Highbush Blueberry in bloom.......berries soon to follow.
Rows of neatly planted fruit and nut producing trees and shrubs at the Conquest Preserve edible food forest.
Contact Us
Do you own farm land on Maryland's Eastern Shore? Are you interested in creating a balance on the property between wildlife habitat and farming? Are you interested in helping to reverse Northern Bobwhite population declines?
A Northern Bobwhite ready to find some new habitat.
If you answer yes to any of the above questions.... then become apart of the growing Natural Lands Project team! Get in touch with Dan Small to set up a farm visit to discuss habitat work.
Email: dsmall2@washcoll.edu
Call: (410) 778-5079
What we provide: (at no cost to you)
- Habitat design
- All seed and installation costs for meadows and wetlands
- Management plan and consultation throughout project
- A one-time incentive payment of $650.00 per acre for land enrolled
- NLP can work in conjunction with CRP, EQIP and other state and federal conservation programs.
Check us out on Facebook!
Recognition
The growing success of NLP has been recognized by many different print and online outlets as well as awards over the last several years. These positive articles, both regional and national, highlight the deep connections between landowners and the land here on the Shore. Below is a list of items and links to content available online.
- 2022. The Baltimore Banner. Julie Scharper. Field of dreams: Queenstown couple transform cornfield into wildflower meadow.
- 2022. Kent County News. Trish McGee. State park opens in Millington as Cypress Branch.
- 2020. Maryland Park Service. The Maryland State Park Advisory Commission. Partner of the Year Award.
- 2020. The Upland Almanac. Ashley Stimpson. Field of Dreams: Eastern Shore conservationists hope if they build it, the bobwhite quail will come (back).
- 2020. Hakai Magazine. Libby Sander. How a Beloved Bird is Helping Save the Chesapeake Bay.
- 2019. ShoreRivers Advocate. Dan Small. Landowners Plant Buffers for Habitat: Local Creeks Benefit.
- 2019. The Star Democrat. Abby Wargo. Washington College’s Natural Lands Project receives Maryland DNR Grant.
- 2019. Tidewater Times. Michael Valliant. Bringing Back the Bobwhite.
- 2018. Washington College Magazine. Wendy Mitman Clarke. If You Grow it they Will Come.
- 2018. What’s Up Eastern Shore. Frederick Schultz. Upland Gamebirds Coming to a Farm Near You.
- 2018. Chesapeake Bay Magazine. Nancy Taylor Robson. Back to Nature.
- 2018. Bay Journal. Timothy B. Wheeler. Back Home on their Range – Quail Find Refuge on Restored Grasslands.
- 2017. Chestertown and Easton Spy. Dan Small. Wanted: Landowners on the Mid-Shore to Help Reverse Northern Bobwhite Declines.
- 2016. Southern Maryland News. Tiffany Watson. Local Organizations Discuss Habitat Restoration in the County.
- 2016. Chesapeake Bay Program. Restoration Spotlight. Joan Smedinghoff. Striking a Balance between Farming and Wildlife Habitat.
- 2015. Currents Magazine. Chester River Association. John Lang. Quail Restoration = Improved Water Quality.
Other
Nesting Bird Box Program
Via generous donations from members of the Maryland birding community we initiated a grassland nest box program focusing on providing nesting structures for Barn Owls and American Kestrels. Additionally, we also have installed nest boxes for Wood Ducks at the Conquest Preserve project site.
A series of photos showing various nest boxes. The lower left photo shows Washington College students from the Habitat for Humanity club building Barn Owl boxes.
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Updated January 31, 2023
