Improving Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife is a general term that usually has a positive meaning to most citizens. Each wildlife species or group of species have different habitat requirements that they need to live. Wildlife habitat includes water, food, cover, and space. The goals of many forest and residential landowners is to attract wildlife to their property by improving the habitat for that species or group of species.

For example, the residential homeowner may install birdhouses, feeders, or other habitat structures to attract certain types of birds. Forest landowners will commonly use the commercial harvest of forest products or tree planting to accomplish wildlife objectives as well as to produce income, enhance water quality, and other objectives. Some landowners will plant warm or cool-season grasses, food, or install nesting boxes.

Maryland Cooperative Extension offers a series of 17 wildlife management fact sheets that cover that following topics below.

Introduction to Wildlife Management • Planting Crops for Wildlife • Field Border Management • Eastern Cottontail Rabbits • Bobwhite Quail • Ring-Necked Pheasant • Ruffed Grouse • Mourning Doves • Eastern Wild Turkey • Tree Squirrels • Black Bears • Wood Ducks • Dabbling Ducks • Diving Ducks • Canada Geese • Songbirds Life History & Management

Click here to view online factsheets and information on ordering publications.