Natural Resources & Park Rangers

The Natural Resource Conservation Section of the Natural & Historic Resources Division provides technical assistance to the Department of Recreation & Parks and other County Departments and Agencies. This section develops natural resource management plans for all Parks, Natural Resource Areas and Open Space lands, develops guidelines and procedures for implementing Best Management Practices in the fields of wildlife, forestry, invasive species and pond and lake management, inventories and monitoring flora and fauna resources present on County lands, implements habitat management activities, develops trail management plans, assesses conditions of  existing trail, constructs and maintains natural surface trails with the county-wide park and open space system, and provides for public outreach and volunteer opportunities

Howard County is experiencing an overabundance of white-tailed deer and has been since the late 80’s. The white-tailed deer population has reached levels that exceed what the environment can sustain, and the amount tolerated by most citizens residing in the county. An overabundance of deer can cause environmental damage including:

• Preventing forest regeneration by over consuming native plants, fruits, nuts, and seeds.
• Aids in the spread of invasive plant species.
• Cause local extinction of some rare plants and species that rely on them.
• Reduce the population of other wildlife species that rely on understory vegetation for food and nesting.

Due to the efforts of the wildlife management team, lowering White-tailed deer populations could aid in the following:

• Reduce deer/vehicle collisions.
• Reduce crop damage.
• Reduce disease transmission from tick borne diseases such as Lyme.
• Help to reduce erosion from overgrazing.
• Help to maintain healthy deer herds.

The Howard County Recreation & Parks Deer Management Program was formed in 1998, one and half years after the creation of the County’s Deer Management Task Force. This group, comprised of local and State representatives, local animal advocate groups, and local environmental non-profits was formed in response to citizen concerns about overabundant White-tailed deer related problems.

Managed Hunt Program:

• The Managed Hunt Program is a Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) permitted program that recruits hunters who wish to help their local environments and connect with a community of other conservation focused people to aid in the reduction of the overabundant White-tailed deer population within Howard County parklands. Currently, lethal removal is the only feasible means of deer population control on Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks (HCDRP) properties. These programs have proven to be a safe and effective means of reducing deer densities in urban/suburban areas. These programs are not marketed as recreational programs but as a management tool for use in areas where deer have exceeded the carrying capacity of the available habitat. The managed hunt program is active from the beginning of October to the end of December each year.
• How to apply: If you are interested in joining either the Archery or Firearms based Managed Hunt programs, please click APPLY NOW and fill out the form to be considered for the program.

Dates for Sharpshooting Operations:

All sharpshooting operations, including dates and shooting locations, are reviewed, and approved through a special permit application by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. All shooters are county employees who have qualified as such in accordance with applicable state regulations and will be operating from elevated positions at a minimum setback of 150 yards from occupied structures.  Sharpshooting operations will tentatively take place only on days listed below between the hours of 3:00pm and 12:00am. All deer harvested during sharpshooting operations will be donated to the Howard County Food Bank. 

Dates for Managed Archery Hunts:

Archery Program:

• Currently the Howard County Managed Archery Program utilizes modern Compound and Crossbows. There is no set harvest quota for this hunt, regardless of type of equipment used. With many un-hunted areas throughout the county, herd size can be effectively reduced without threat of extirpation. All hunters must be experienced and responsible. Each hunter undergoes an annual background check. All shots within the program must be taken at stationary deer from elevated stands towards the ground, as well as within 25 yards of the stands position and within the designated safety zones. The Archery Managed Hunt program is both a lottery-based opportunity and new this year, an open permitted style program at specific sites.
• In 2023, The State of Maryland passed legislation specifically for archery hunting that now allows The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks to reduce the safety zone from 150 to 50 yards from an occupied structure for participants actively participating in a managed archery hunt program facilitated by the County. 
• ​​​​​Parks designated for Managed Archery hunts include:
  • TBD

Firearms Program:

• Currently the Howard County Firearms Managed Hunt Program utilizes shotgun, specified straight-walled rifle cartridges and authorized muzzleloaders in our program. There is no set harvest quota for this hunt, regardless of type of equipment used. With many un-hunted areas throughout the County, herd size can be effectively reduced without threat of extirpation. All hunters must be experience and responsible. Each hunter undergoes an annual background check. All shots within the program must be taken at stationary deer from elevated stands towards the ground, as well as within 80yards of the stands position and within the designated safety zones. The Firearms Managed Hunt program is lottery based. Each accepted participant will submit a lottery form for the park(s) and stand numbers they would like to hunt. Spots will be chosen at random, and assignments will be sent out to participants shortly after.
• Parks currently authorized for the firearms program include:
  • TBD

Sharpshoot Program:

• The Sharpshooting Program is a (MDNR) permitted program that relies on highly trained and skilled County employees. These sharpshooters aid in the reduction of the deer population within Howard County parkland when managed hunting cannot function or is deemed unsuitable based on-site size or sensitivity.
• Dates and times park are closed: TBD.

Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) Surveys:

• The Howard County Wildlife Management team contracts infrared thermal digital aerial imagery (FLIR) surveys to be conducted on parklands available for management efforts. The goal of these surveys is to confirm deer population densities at the time of collection, using FLIR and aid in the management decisions made based on location. These surveys are performed at night each year at select locations.
• Link all FLIR reports.​​​​​​
  Document

  2021- White-tailed deer population density survey using sUAS Infrared.pdf
  Document

  2022- White-tailed deer population density survey using sUAS Infrared.pdf
  Document

  2022-2023- White-tailed deer population density survey using sUAS Infrared.pdf

Learn More about White-tailed Deer and Management:

• APPLY NOW for the Managed Hunting Program
• Howard County Deer Management Task Force Report
• Howard County Comprehensive Deer Management Plan
• Knight, Jim. “The Basics of Wildlife Management.” Basics of Wildlife Management - MSU Extension Animal and Range Science | Montana State University. Basics of Wildlife Management - MSU Extenison Animal and Range Science | Montana State University
• “Deer Hunting: An Effective Management Tool.” Maryland Department of Natural Resources,Deer Hunting: An Effective Management Tool (maryland.gov)
• More information on the prevention of Lyme Disease  Lyme Disease | Lyme Disease | CDC and link to the Howard County Flyer : Lyme Disease Take Precautions and Know the Signs
• FAQ about Howard County Deer Management Program
• Is the program safe? / Should I be concerned about my pets and family?
  • Yes, the managed hunt program in Howard County has been safely executed on County Park lands since 1998. All program participants are carefully screened and selected. Participants undergo extensive qualifications, including additional safety courses, shooter proficiency qualifications, yearly background checks and are required to hunt from elevated stands. Since the programs’ inception, we have had no safety incidents in regard to park patrons or pets.
• Will the programs interfere with my use of the parks?
  • Yes, the parks currently being managed under the Firearms Managed Hunt program are closed until noon on the dates posted. The parks under the Archery Managed Hunt program are closed until 1pm. All parks are signed at least two weeks prior to any event, with events are also being advertised on our website.
• What happens with the deer harvested within the programs?
  • Sharpshooting:
    • By law, all deer harvested in the sharpshoot program, that are deemed fit for consumption are field dressed by Howard County staff, sent to a designated processor and the meat distributed to families in need through the Howard County Food Bank. Howard County Recreation and Parks has donated thousands of pounds of meat to the local food bank since sharpshooting began in 2004.
  • Managed Hunt Programs:
    • Deer harvested in the Managed Hunt programs are the responsibility of the participating hunter. Some hunters choose to utilize the meat for their own family, while others may donate the meat to friends, family, churches, or through charitable organizations such as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH). It is required that every deer harvested through hunting be utilized by the hunter and/or be donated for use by those in need, in accordance to state law.

• Is there a better way to reduce deer populations? / Why isn’t reproductive control being used?  

  • Currently, lethal removal is the only feasible means of deer population control on Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks properties. This program has proven to be a safe and effective means of reducing and maintaining deer densities in urban/suburban natural areas. While other methods such as birth control and surgical sterilization exist, these methods are costly and impractical for Howard County at this time. / Deer Hunting: An Effective Management Tool (maryland.gov)
  • No, several other jurisdictions conduct managed hunt programs to include Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County and the State of Maryland.
• I found a fawn. What should I do?
  • Often times citizens call us about “abandoned” fawns. This is often not the case. It is commonplace for does to leave  their fawns in specific locations for extended amount of times. Do not handle the animal the mother will be back to collect her fawn in due time.
  • Deer Fawn Facts (maryland.gov)
• I found an injured deer. What should I do?
  • Do not attempt to handle the animal. Howard County Recreation and Parks does not handle animal complaints on private property. Please contact Maryland DNR Wildlife Heritage for guidance on how to deal with injured animals on your property.
  • Wildlife Problems (maryland.gov)
• The deer are eating my garden. What can  I do to prevent this?
  • Unfortunately, this is common problem. There are many commercial sprays available to help deter deer available for purchase at your local hardware store. Fencing, deer resistant plants and products such as motion activated sprinklers are also an option.
  • Maryland Deer Damage Management Techniques

Research in Howard County

• Document

  Trapping White-Tailed Deer in Suburbia for Study of Tock-Host Interactions.pdf
• Document

  Surveillance of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Suburban Natural Habitats of Central Maryland.pdf
• Document

  Patterns of White-Tailed Deer Movements in Suburban Maryland - Implications for Zoonotic Disease.pdf
• Document

  Very Small Collars - An Evaluation of Telemetry Location Estimators for Small Mammals.pdf
• Document

  Radiotracking and Spatial Analysis of White-Footed Mice in Suburban Maryland Parks.pdf
• Document

  Spatial Analysis of White-Tailed Deer Capture Methods and Movements in Suburban Maryland.pdf

For more information about deer hunting in Maryland, please visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland

History
The beaver (Castor canadenis) is an important mammal to Maryland, as well as to North America, from both a historical economic perspective and from an aesthetic perspective. Although excessive harvesting and unrestrained habitat destruction extirpated the beaver in Maryland by the early 1800s, reintroduction efforts have enabled the beaver to return to much of their former range. Their populations have grown steadily and occur in every county in the state and in every watershed in Howard County.

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Beaver in Howard County
Beaver can be among the most beneficial of the county’s wildlife. They create favorable habitat for a variety of wildlife species including fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. This variety of wildlife is in turn valued for recreational, scientific, educational and aesthetic purposes. Beaver activity is also helpful in retaining storm water runoff and improves water quality by trapping sediment, nutrients, and pollutants. Beaver activity can also cause flooding of roads, trails, forest land. They also consume trees and shrubs. Their impacts often occur suddenly and dramatically.

These benefits and detriments often occur simultaneously at a single location. Because of the varying degrees of tolerance levels among people to beaver activity, there are bound to be disagreements on how best to “deal” with beaver conflicts.

The Departments' Role
In its role as a steward of Howard County’s natural resources (Howard County Code Title 19, subtitle 2, Section 19.200-211), it shall be a goal of the Department of Recreation & Parks to practice an attitude of acceptance of, and tolerance for, beaver activity as part of the county’s natural environment and it will foster this attitude among the public through education.

The Department recognizes beaver as a natural and desirable component of the environment because of their contribution to the quality and diversity of natural habitat.

However, it is also recognized that conflicts between beaver and humans arise when beaver activity impacts public health and safety, private property, or public infrastructure.

Biology

• The beaver is the largest rodent in North America. An adult can weigh between 30-60 lbs. and measure 25-31" in length.

• Beavers are nocturnal which means they are most active at night.

• Beavers are social animals and live in family units called colonies that can range in size from two to eight individuals.

• Beavers are monogamous and mate in January and February. Four months later 2-5 one pound “kits” are born.

• Beavers are herbivores. Their diet in the winter is comprised mainly of the bark of hardwood trees and shrubs such as willow, birch, maple, yellow-poplar, cherry, and alder. In warmer months they also consume aquatic plants, rhizomes of water lilies, sedges, grasses, ferns, and the leaves and twigs of trees.

• The beaver greatly impacts its environment. It is one of the few mammals, other than man, capable of modifying habitat to suit its needs. They instinctively build dams and lodges from any available materials such as tree branches, mud, and stone.

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Conflict Resolution
Beaver activity emanating from county-owned property and resulting in conflict will be evaluated by the Department of Recreation and Parks Natural Resource Division for the existence of, or potential of:

• impact to public health and safety

• impact to private property

• impact to public infrastructure

• impact to public parks and facilities

The significance of these impacts will determine the type of management action taken. Any action taken will be based on proven wildlife management techniques, appropriate animal welfare concerns, and applicable laws and regulations.

It is important to remember that one function of county parks and open space lands is to provide habitat for wildlife. These areas are one of the few places left in the county where wildlife can live. In most cases, damage done to trees on county-owned lands is accepted as part of having beavers.

Damage Prevention and Control
Exclusion involves fencing small critical areas such as culverts, drains, or other areas, and individual trees. A low, sturdy fence, three feet high, can keep a beaver out of an area. When fencing around an individual tree, a simple fence 3-4 feet high made of heavy wire mesh can prevent damage. The fence should be approximately eight to 10 inches from the plant and can be supported by driving metal rods into the ground.

Cultural methods and habitat modification include the elimination food sources such as trees and other woody vegetation and harassment of beaver by repeatedly destroying dams and removing food caches, or installing a pond leveler which regulates the water level of the beaver pond. These methods are not always practical in every situation and have varying success rates. Permits may be required.

Trapping of all wildlife is regulated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. State law provides for a legal winter trapping season for beaver on private and state-owned lands. State law also provides for regulated trapping outside the normal season; however, a permit must be secured from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. State law also requires that captured beaver be destroyed by euthanasia and not relocated. Wildlife Cooperators are available to assist private landowners in dealing with nuisance beavers. These individuals are certified by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and able to handle nuisance wildlife situations. It is illegal to trap beaver on county-owned lands, unless permission has been granted by the Appointing Authority.

Useful Contacts

Tim Maynard, Howard County Recreation and Parks
Wildlife Program Manager 410-313-1675

Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife and Heritage Division: 410-836-4557 or 301-258-7308

U.S. Department of Agriculture APHIS - Wildlife Service
Nuisance Wildlife Information Line: 1-877-463-6497

Environmental Education Series
The goal of the Department of Recreation and Parks is to preserve a balance of ecological, natural and environmental values in Open Space land throughout the County. We strive to manage these areas in a way that will preserve their ecological integrity while making them available to the public for passive recreational use.

A key element in our management plan is public awareness and education. This brochure is one of a series of publications designed to educate the public on matters related to the conservation and preservation of our environment.

To help accomplish this goal, our staff is available to speak with various civic and community organizations and to assist with the planning and implementation of projects such as habitat enhancement, reforestation, stream walks, water quality monitoring, etc. It is our firm belief that only by working together can we fulfill the moral and civic responsibility with which we have all been charged - the stewardship of the land.

Regular feeding can cause:

• dependency on people for food
• bird/people conflicts
• spread of disease

Over the centuries waterfowl have developed patterns of seeking out and feeding on highly nutritious marsh and grassland plants. These feeding patterns are then passed on to succeeding generations. Survival of waterfowl ultimately depends upon the ability to make sufficient use of food and habitat.

In northern regions of the United States, extreme cold and snow cover severely reduces the quality and quantity of marsh and grassland plants. Thus, each year most waterfowl, like many other birds, migrate long distances in search of food and habitat to carry them through the winter. In spring they again migrate, this time returning to their northern breeding grounds.

Not all waterfowl, however, complete the migration cycle. In Howard County, there are increasing amounts of resident Canada geese. Although resident Canada geese look similar to the migratory geese, they are different. It is thought that many resident Canada geese are descendants from races of nonmigratory Canada geese that were released in Maryland by private individuals or released as decoy flocks during the 1930's.

Many urban environments provide sufficient space and food for small populations of waterfowl. Small ponds, community parks with lakes, reservoirs and golf courses provide ideal habitat. However, the added attraction of human handouts can result in the concentration of hundreds or thousands of waterfowl. These wild birds then become quite "tame," lose their fear of people and pick up habits that conflict with humans.

Lack of the fear of cars or planes can cause traffic problems as birds casually stroll or sit in the middle of roadways or fly across airport runways. Large numbers of birds in parks, golf courses, residential lawns and agricultural fields graze, trample vegetation, and produce large amounts of defecation. One goose can produce one pound of droppings per day! Excess nutrients, caused by waterfowl droppings, in ponds and lakes may result in water quality problems such as increased harmful bacteria and algal blooms.

Food handouts often lead to large numbers of birds competing for limited food in small areas. Such crowding and competition for food combined with the stresses of less nutritious food and harsh weather increases their susceptibility to life threatening diseases like avian cholera, duck plague and avian botulism. These diseases have the potential to kill off large numbers of waterfowl.

The result of the seemingly kind and generous act of feeding waterfowl can be a continuing cycle of the birds becoming nuisances and being subjected to diseases. An infected bird may spread the disease to many other birds by infecting the water supply. When the birds are scattered over a large area, this does not pose a serious problem. However, when the birds are bunched close together their chances of contracting disease increase and the result may be disastrous.

If you care for waterfowl, there are things you can do to help them retain their wildness and maintain their well-being:

• Stop feeding them! They don't understand the problem . . . you do.
• Learn more about waterfowl by visiting a library, nature center, state wildlife management area, or National Refuge, then teach others what you know.
• Allow waterfowl to stay wild . . . observe and appreciate them from a distance.

Environmental Education Series
The goal of the Department of Recreation and Parks is to preserve a balance of ecological, natural and environmental values in Open Space land throughout the County. We strive to manage these areas in a way that will preserve their ecological integrity while making them available to the public for passive recreational use.

A key element in our management plan is public awareness and education. This brochure is one of a series of publications designed to educate the public on matters related to the conservation and preservation of our environment.

To help accomplish this goal, our staff is available to speak with various civic and community organizations and to assist with the planning and implementation of projects such as habitat enhancement, reforestation, stream walks, water quality monitoring, etc. It is our firm belief that only by working together can we fulfill the moral and civic responsibility with which we have all been charged . . . the stewardship of the land.

For additional information, or to become involved in our program, please call 410-313-4700.

The Maryland Amphibian & Reptile Atlas was a state wide amphibian and reptile survey conducted from 2010 to 2014 to map the distributions of these animals every 10-square miles. This checklist draws on data collected from this survey. 

*Indicates an introduced species (not native to Maryland) but has been observed breeding in Howard County.

Even though some species are “Abundant” or “Common”, they inhabit specialized niches (under rotting tree trunks, along streak banks, bottom of ponds, etc.) and are unlikely to be casually observed on a hike.

Introduced Species:
(only one found, no evidence of breeding)

Never release a pet into the wild – they can do serious harm to the native ecosystem!

Fishing
Locations within Howard County Parks:
*Hotspots recommended by our anglers include Font Hill Pond, Warfield's Pond, Sewells Orchard Pond, Centennial Lake.

You may fish from shore or from a boat. A Maryland Freshwater Fishing License is required for anglers aged 16 and up. State fishing regulations are in effect, and game fish are part of a management program to maintain a balanced population. 

Been fishing on Centennial Lake recently? We want to hear from you! Post your catch on the Maryland Angler's Log from the Maryland Dept of Natural Resources. Be sure to put Centennial Lake your location and tag us on social media with #FishCentennial!

Boat Rentals
Adventure Shack & Boat Rentals at Centennial Park. See more on the rentals page.
All rentals are in-person and on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Information: 410-313-7303.

Boating Rules & Regulations (Centennial Lake) 
Centennial Lake is open for recreational boating March 1 through November 30. Boat permits are required for all watercraft. More info: HERE (scroll down to Additional Park Information and search in the Boating Rules and Regulations drop-down menu)

Centennial Lake promotes safe boating!
Through a grant from the Sea Tow Foundation, a Life Jacket Loaner Station has been installed at the boat launch! Forgot your PFD?  Have an extra passenger?  Grab a loaner life jacket for the day - stay safe and avoid a fine! Visit www.safeboatingcampaign.com for more information from the National Safe Boating Council on how to stay safe on the water!

Water Contact & Stream Safety Tips

Please take precautions when you are out in and around the water.

• Wash your hands with soap & water after contact with any water body.
• Be careful if wading into the water as rocks will be slippery.
• Abide by any posted water contact restriction notices.

The Department strives to enhance habitat for a variety of wildlife species and activities range from planting trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, to establishing upland meadows, installing nest boxes, and protecting areas from development, and controlling invasive plants.

Invasive Plant Management

The term invasive is used to describe a plants growth habit. An invasive plant species is one that displays rapid growth and spread that allows it to establish over a large area within a relatively short period of time. Invasive plants can be native to an area or introduced.  Introduced species are also termed exotic, or non-native, or alien. Invasive plants usually exhibit strong vegetative growth characteristics; produce abundant, long-lived seed with a high germination rate and a rapid maturation rate.

Research suggests that invasive exotic plants are the number one threat to native flora and fauna. Once established, invasive plants quickly dominate a site and modify both plant and animal community structure and function.

With close to 10,000 acres of park and open space lands to manage, the Department must carefully choose the extent of limited resources invested in addressing invasive plant management.

Learn More about Invasive Plants

• University of Maryland Extension Invasive Plants | University of Maryland Extension (umd.edu)
• Center for Invasive Species & Ecosystem Health Invasive.Org
• Maryland DNR Invasive and Exotic Species in Maryland
• National Invasive Species Information Center Maryland | National Invasive Species Information Center
• Maryland Invasive Species Council Terrestrial Plants - Maryland Invasive Species Council (mdinvasives.org)

What is Purple Loosestrife?

Lythrum salicaria is an introduced, hard, aggressive perennial that occurs predominately in wetland habitats. Originally from Europe, it was inadvertently introduced to the U.S. in the 1800's in ship ballast water and intentionally as a medicinal herb. It can now be found in 40 of the lower 48 states and Canada.

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Description

• 2-7 feet tall

• Flowers on spike, attached closely to stem

• 5-6 petals per flower

• Opposite leaf arrangement

• Stiff, four-sided stem

• Blooms July-early Sept.

• A single mature plant can produce up to 2.5 million seeds per year.

Why is Purple Loosestrife a Threat?
Wetlands are the most biologically diverse and productive components of our ecosystems in Maryland. Productive wetlands are the backbone support for a healthy Chesapeake Bay. Hundreds of species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, fish, and amphibians rely on healthy wetland habitat for their survival.

Once this plant becomes established, it rapidly degrades wetland habitat by out-competing beneficial native vegetation. If left unchecked, purple loosestrife forms vast monotypic stands that will dominate an area and provide very little if any habitat for wildlife.

An estimated 190,000 hectares of wetlands, marshes, pastures, and riparian meadows are affected in North America each year. This has an economic impact of millions of dollars. Purple loosestrife is classified as a noxious weed in 19 states; however, it is not considered so in Maryland at this time.

What you can do to help!
Because purple loosestrife is so widespread in the U.S., its total eradication is unlikely. However, the spread of purple loosestrife can be halted and newly invaded areas can be controlled.

Prevention is the best way to stop the purple loosestrife invasion.

• Don't plant purple loosestrife in your garden! Even Lythrum varieties advertised not to make seeds can cross-breed with the invading loosestrife to make seeds.

• Be on the look out for pioneering plants or isolated small colonies. Notify the proper authorities. If they occur on your own property, remove the plants or cut off the flower heads, bag and destroy them. Repeat throughout the flowering season mid-June, July - early August before seeds are set.

• Rinse equipment, gear, or clothing and footwear used in infested areas before moving to un-infested areas.

Control Methods
Any control method you select should be repeated for several years to catch missed plants and those established from seed. Purple loosestrife seeds remain alive in the soil for many years.

By Hand (for small clusters)
Pull young plants, bag and destroy all materials. Dig older plants and remove all the roots. Any remaining will sprout new shoots. Be careful to avoid excessive soil disturbance. If this is unavoidable, consider chemical methods.

By Herbicide (on larger populations)
As with any herbicide, extreme care must be taken to ensure the control of loosestrife and minimize damage to desirable vegetation. It is best to call the Cooperative Extension for up-to-date information on the herbicides recommended for loosestrife control and all precautions that need to followed when using herbicides.

Biological Control (in the future)
Refers to the use of natural "enemies" or agents such as parasites, predators, or pathogens to control plant populations. In the past ten years, much research has been conducted to find selected insects that feed specifically on purple loosestrife as a means to naturally control the spread of the plant. Back in the 1800's when purple loosestrife was introduced to this country, left behind in Europe were the natural insect enemies of the plant that helped to prevent population explosions. The goal of biological control is to reduce numbers of the target plant to lessen its ability to displace native vegetation. It does not eradicate a plant population. Obviously, extreme caution must be taken when introducing one organism to control another. Prior to introduction of a biological control agent, intensive testing is conducted to ensure that a safe and effective agent is selected. Currently, the effectiveness of this option are being field tested. As of 1996, biological controls have been released in 25 states and seven Canadian provinces.

Alternative Plantings for Purple Loosestrife
If you currently have purple loosestrife or a cultivar growing in your garden, it could contribute to the loss of fish and wildlife habitat. Please remove it (roots and all) or at least cut off the flower tops before they begin to form seed. Dispose of all materials properly.

Several species of garden perennials display characteristics similar to purple loosestrife, yet they pose no threat to our natural environment. The following are examples of some alternatives to purple loosestrife.

• Blazing Star or Gay Feather (Liatris spp.)

• Delphinium (Delphinium spp.)

• False Spirea (Astilbe arendsii)

• Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

• Lupine (Lupinus)

• Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis)

• Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)

• Salvia (Salvia superba)

• Siberian Iris (Iris)

• Spike Speedwell (Veronica spicata)

Environmental Education Series

The goal of the Department of Recreation and Parks is to preserve a balance of ecological, natural and environmental values in Open Space land throughout the County. We strive to manage these areas in a way that will preserve their ecological integrity while making them available to the public for passive recreational use.

A key element in our management plan is public awareness and education. This brochure is one of a series of publications designed to educate the public on matters related to the conservation and preservation of our environment.

To help accomplish this goal, our staff is available to speak with various civic and community organizations and to assist with the planning and implementation of projects such as habitat enhancement, reforestation, stream walks, water quality monitoring, etc. It is our firm belief that only by working together can we fulfill the moral and civic responsibility with which we have all been charged the stewardship of the land.

For additional information, or to become involved in our program, please call 410-313-4700.

Meadow Management

Where possible, the Department seeks to create and enhance meadow habitat on County parkland. Meadow habitat is disappearing in the County for a variety of reasons such as development and the act of the natural process of succession. Succession occurs as grass and herbaceous plant species are gradually replaced by shrubs and tree species that ultimately develop an area into a mature forest.

There are many benefits of early successional meadow habitats.

• Meadows provide valuable habitat (food, cover, water, shelter) for many bee species, moths, butterflies, and other insects. These species in turn are essential for the successful pollination and production of many fruit and vegetable crops and help with the reproductive process of many plant species.
• Meadows provide habitat (food and shelter) for many ground-nesting bird species, small mammals, bats, and some reptiles and amphibians.
• Meadows provide ecosystem services such as, infiltration and filtration of stormwater, carbon storage, and nutrient recycling.

Once established, wildflower meadows are ecologically friendly landscapes that are beautiful to look at have minimal maintenance requirements. However, maintenance is crucial because tree and shrub species and other invasive plant species are continually trying to grow in the meadow areas.

Maintenance Requirements

In order to keep a meadow in an early succession vegetative state, the area needs to either be mown or burned.  Each method provides its own challenges to implement, and the County chooses to maintain early succession vegetation through winter mowing and periodic, careful spot spraying of invasive plants with appropriately labeled herbicides. Winter mowing occurs anytime between December 1st through March 15th. This is to avoid disturbing nesting species, migratory bird and other insect activities.

The County maintains approximately 79.0 acres of meadows on various park sites. Please come and visit these areas to observe the flora and fauna.  These sites include:

Visit meadow habitat: Centennial Park, Schooley Mill Park, Rockburn Branch Park, Belmont Manor and Historic Park, Haviland Mill Park, MPEA, and Meadowbrook Park.

How can you help pollinators?

Staff are involved with helping the County maintain its Bee City designation  - a certification by the Xerces Society to  raise awareness about the importance of native bees and other pollinators and their vital role in healthy ecosystems and to educate communities about how they can create and sustain healthy habitat for pollinators that are rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides.

For more information please visit:

Learn more about Live Green Howard County Bee City and how you can help Pollinators - Live Green Howard County

Howard County Bird Club Butterflies of Howard County | Howard County Bird Club (howardbirds.website)

Pond & Lake Management

Many of the ponds and lakes that occur in Howard County function primarily as storm water management facilities. The Bureau of Environmental Services, Storm Water Management Division, has the primary responsibility for pond maintenance. They ensure that all storm water management ponds in the County are functioning as engineered, maintain drain structures, and mow to control woody vegetative growth on earthen dams. Currently, there are well over 1,000 storm water management facilities to maintain in the County.

The Bureau of Parks, Natural & Historic Resources Division is responsible for managing, protecting, and enhancing the natural resources of all county-owned park and open space lands. Efforts are made to manage these areas in ways that both conserve their ecological integrity and makes them available for recreational and educational uses. This Division works in partnership with the Storm Water Management Division to enforce County storm water regulations, establish riparian buffers surrounding ponds and stream banks where applicable, and enforce against encroachments onto park land such as illegal mowing down to the edge of ponds.

Aquatic Weed Management

Aquatic weed management occurs on some of the fishable ponds located on County property. These include Centennial Lake, Warfield Pond, Font Hill Pond, Guilford Pond, and Sewell’s Orchard Pond. A fishable pond is defined as a man-made pond created with the expressed purpose of actively promoted, public recreational fishing opportunities.