The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comments on a proposed National Wildlife Refuge in Southern Maryland. 

The draft proposal and environmental assessment for establishing the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland is now available for review and public comment. An in-depth, collaborative effort over the past 15 years demonstrated that currently unprotected habitats in these counties support significant populations of fish and wildlife. 

Draft Land Protection Plan and Environmental Assessment

The proposal would conserve up to 40,000 acres in fee-title acquisitions or easements from willing sellers, helping to conserve habitats that support threatened and endangered species, waterfowl and migratory birds of conservation concern. Landowners who do not wish to sell or donate interests in land are under no obligation to do so.

For more information about this project, please see the Press Release, Frequently Asked Questions and the Land Protection Plan and Environmental Assessment document, now available for a 45-day public review and comment period.

Direct questions and comments to: fw5southernmarylandplan@fws.gov

Documents

Frequently Asked Questions - Proposal to establish Southern Maryland Woodlands NWR Final

The Service proposes to create a new Refuge to be named the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The Refuge would consist of four watershed-based units in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties: the Lower Patuxent - Calvert Unit,...

Press Release - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks public comment on proposed refuge lands in Southern Maryland

The Service is hosting three listening sessions in March and April for the public to learn about the proposal, ask questions, and provide input to Service representatives and conservation partners. Listening sessions will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations and dates:

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Programs

A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
A rocky shoreline of a river. The water is calm. Mist and green branches line the river.
The Ecological Services Program works to restore and protect healthy populations of fish, wildlife, and plants and the environments upon which they depend. Using the best available science, we work with federal, state, Tribal, local, and non-profit stakeholders, as well as private land owners, to...
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The realty division of the National Wildlife Refuge System supports the acquisition and management of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands, using Migratory Bird Conservation and Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars.

Facilities

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Created to conserve and protect wildlife and wildlands through research, Patuxent Research Refuge offers 13,000 acres of tranquil forest, meadow and wetlands amid a densely populated urban area. Countless birds, mammals, pollinators, amphibians, and more call it home. Immerse yourself in this...
Nest of with eight American black duck chicks
We work with landowners, private and community organizations, government agencies and others to conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay area including Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Our conservation priorities include: endangered, threatened and at-...

Library Collections

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The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's largest collection of public lands and waters dedicated to wildlife conservation, and it continues to grow in size. The Service develops Land Protection Plans (LPP) to fully evaluate the establishment of new refuges and major expansions to existing...