Managing Natural Areas

Woodlands

Many of us seek wooded areas in which to live because of their beauty and serenity or because of a love for wildlife and nature. However, managing a woodland is much different than for a typical suburban yard. To keep it healthy and functioning properly there are different responsibilities. A common mistake is to clear all the understory plants (shrubs and ground covers) and replace it with lawn. Not only is this practice costly and high in maintenance, but the grass normally grows poorly and many of the environmental benefits of the forest are destroyed. Here are some tips for responsible woodland management.

Tips for Managing a Woodland

Limit ground clearance to a minimum, keeping as much of the forest as possible intact
Learn to identify trees and plants, both natives and exotics
Remove invasive exotic species; be most vigilant along the forest edge as that's where most invasives get their start
Look for canopy gaps and plant new native trees to close them
Plant additional shrubs and herbaceous plants, especially those with high wildlife value
Begin efforts at the healthiest, most intact part of the forest and work outward
Look for and remediate erosion; reroute trails to more gradual slopes, as necessary
Allow fallen leaves to remain and rot on the forest floor
Look for signs of overabundance of deer and take steps to manage their numbers

Riparian Areas - Streamsides, Lakesides, Wetlands

The vegetation along streams and lakes, known as a riparian buffer, is critical to water quality and wildlife and important if we want swimmable, fishable waters. If you are fortunate enough to have waterfront property, here are some tips to help you manage it responsibly.

Tips for Managing Riparian Areas

Provide access to the water, but keep vegetation clearance to a minimum
Avoid any work in streams, wetlands or waterways; obtain required permits when it is necessary
Don't alter a stream bank or shoreline unless you're returning it to a natural state and then obtain required permits first
Learn to identify trees and plants, both natives and exotics
Remove invasive exotic species to keep them from spreading
Improve riparian buffers by planting native trees, shrubs and ground covers that are tolerant of wet or seasonally flooded sites; where possible, plant trees and shrubs to shade the water and stabilize banks
Look for and remediate bank erosion (banks should normally be sloping and covered with vegetation)
To reduce nuisance geese problems remove lawns from shorelines and replace with native plants that block their line of sight.
Reduce rainfall runoff from your house or lawns to keep sediment and pollutants out of the water
Dispose of all waste properly; never dump it in or near waterbodies
Don't wash cars or boats with detergents near waterbodies
Maintain septic systems so that they work properly and don't pollute waterbodies
Avoid or minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers near waterbodies
If you have livestock, erect fencing to keep animals out of the water
Join, participate in your local watershed group

Additional Sources of Information:

County Soil Conservation District Offices:

Delaware
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Virginia
West Virginia

Nonprofit Organizations:

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
American Forests
Canaan Valley Institute - Community Assistance
Center for Watershed Protection
Chesapeake Bay Riparian Forest Buffers
Delaware Riverkeeper Riparian Buffers
Plant-It 2020 - Benefits of Trees
Tree Link USA

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Managing Natural Areas

Woodlands

Tips for Managing a Woodland

Riparian Areas - Streamsides, Lakesides, Wetlands

Tips for Managing Riparian Areas

Additional Sources of Information:

U.S. EPA

Other Federal Government:

State Agencies:

County Soil Conservation District Offices:

Nonprofit Organizations:

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