The celebration of the newly established Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge
Written by: Kaelyn Kobosko
After 15 years of dedicated work, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in partnership with various organizations, accomplished a groundbreaking achievement: the establishment of the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge. This is the newest national wildlife refuge (NWR) in Maryland in over 60 years. The creation of this refuge is a testament to the unwavering commitment by FWS and nonprofit partners that turned a bold conservation vision into reality. Their success not only protects the habitat but also sets a powerful example for the future of wildlife protection nationwide, offering a model that can be replicated across other landscapes.
On December 13, 2024, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and U.S. FWS Director Martha Williams, joined by key partners and the local community, cut the ribbon in Nanjemoy, Maryland, to officially establish the Southern Maryland Woodlands NWR. This milestone was set in motion by the acquisition of a 31.38-acre parcel, thanks to a collaborative effort between The Nature Conservancy and the Chesapeake Conservancy. Now, the Southern Maryland Woodlands NWR is officially the 573rd addition to the National Wildlife Refuge system, with an acquisition boundary covering 577,420 acres. Looking ahead, the FWS is committed to further collaboration with partners and willing landowners to voluntarily conserve up to 40,000 additional acres within the refuge’s boundary. To learn about the incredible 15-year journey behind this process, please visit our previous Lightning Update.
The Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge
Below are some key factors that contributed to achieving this significant milestone, as identified by two of the leaders in the establishment of the Southern Maryland Woodlands NWR: Joe McCauley, retired FWS refuge manager, and U.S. FWS Chesapeake Bay Field Office Chief of the Division of Habitat Conservation, Dan Murphy.
Have a vision, a passion, and a love for the land and water: With a clear vision to guide them, leaders like Dan and Joe were driving forces in the process behind the establishment of the NWR, inspiring others to join along the way. As Joe reflects, “When I think about the 15-year odyssey that took this proposal from concept to completion, I am reminded of the positive impact that individuals with vision, passion and perseverance can make to better our world.” Their love of the land and water not only shaped the success of the NWR but demonstrated the power of collective action.
Build a strong narrative through a familiarity with the area’s landscape, wildlife and communities: As the long-time manager of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chesapeake Bay Coastal Program, Dan worked with partners on projects across the southern Maryland landscape, becoming familiar with its people and wildlife. As a former refuge manager and realty officer, now serving as a consultant with the Chesapeake Conservancy, Joe brought years of expertise with FWS’ land acquisition program to the table. Together, they identified the Refuge System’s critical role in safeguarding species such as waterfowl, shorebirds and threatened species like the Puritan tiger beetle, northeastern tiger beetle, and the northern long-eared bat. Their expertise became the foundation of an Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan, ensuring a future for these vulnerable species.
Red Headed Woodpecker
Build a coalition of partner organizations: From the very beginning, Dan understood the importance of securing buy-in and wasted no time building a diverse coalition of partner organizations. He kicked off the initiative with a series of high-energy stakeholder meetings, public listening sessions and direct consultations with Tribes. They didn’t stop there, launching a public-facing website, developing an email address for ongoing feedback and giving presentations to anyone who requested them. With their combined expertise, resources and support, the partners played a crucial role in the success of the NWR.
Use data to support your cause: FWS created the Northeast Conservation Planning Atlas, a powerful tool that combines key impact layers for terrestrial habitats, imperiled species and connectivity to highlight the most important areas for fish and wildlife protection in Southern Maryland. As a result, they were able to support the Environmental Assessment, Land Protection Plan and Landscape Conservation Designs with high-quality data.
See and grasp opportunities: When advantageous opportunities arose, they utilized the moment to accelerate the progress of the NWR. President Biden’s release of the 30×30 initiative is just one example of an opportunity that provided momentum to bring the Southern Maryland NWR to life. The FWS embraced the environmental goals of the initiative to create a clear roadmap for the Environmental Assessment and remained vigilant by laying the groundwork in advance so that they could act swiftly when the opportunity presented itself.
Patience, persistence, perseverance and longevity are key: Overcoming bureaucracy, policy shifts, changing administrations and constant coordination with layers of government and landowners were some of the hurdles that Joe and Dan recalled running into. This demanded relentless patience, persistence and perseverance. The journey spanned 15 years, requiring a “never give up” attitude, as Joe would put it, pushing forward even when faced with obstacles. It was their ability to stay resourceful in the face of ever-evolving challenges that turned this landscape-level conservation vision into a reality.
Tributary to McIntosh Run located in the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge
Charting the Path Forward for the National Wildlife Refuge
As Dan reminds us, “There were many steps and obstacles to overcome to establish the refuge, but now is not the time to rest on our laurels. Going forward, it will take equal or more commitment from partners like the Chesapeake Conservancy, Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance and from communities across Southern Maryland to fulfill the refuge’s true potential.” The true essence of this journey lies in our commitment to the cause and the understanding that meaningful change often takes time. We must maintain a steady, unwavering attitude, knowing that every step, no matter how small, is part of a larger effort to protect and sustain the landscapes for generations to come. For more information on the Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge, please contact Joe McCauley at [email protected] and Dan Murphy at [email protected].
Image credit:
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Lightning Update is a regular communication of the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect positions of the Partnership or member organizations.
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