Natural Resources & Wildlife Programs

Groups or individuals can adopt a number of natural area parks throughout Prince George’s County. Responsibilities may include:

• Monitoring of nest boxes for birds 
• Maintaining detailed records
• Conducting wildlife and plant surveys
• Constructing and installing wildlife nesting boxes, clean-ups, reporting park needs, and various other environmental projects

This opportunity requires a two-year commitment. Training and materials are provided. Volunteer assignment schedules vary. This opportunity is ideal for individuals, Scouts group, families, businesses, community groups, and church groups. Groups are recognized with signage at the adopted park.

Groups or individuals can adopt a pond throughout Prince George’s County. Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring the ponds periodically
• Removing trash and debris
• Reporting park needs and various other environmental projects

This opportunity requires a two-year commitment. Training and materials are provided the Park Rangers. Volunteer assignment schedules vary. This opportunity is ideal for individuals, Scouts groups, families, businesses, community groups, and church groups. Groups are recognized with signage at the adopted pond.

Groups or individuals can adopt a section of trail systems throughout Prince George’s County such as:

• Anacostia Stream Valley Trail
• Henson Creek Trail
• Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Trail
• Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trail

Responsibilities

• Monitoring trails periodically
• Removing of trash and debris
• Reporting trail needs and various other environmental projects

This opportunity requires a two-year commitment. Training and materials are provided by the Park Rangers. Volunteer assignment schedules vary. This opportunity is ideal for individuals, Scouts groups, families, businesses, community groups, and church groups. Groups are recognized with signage at the adopted trail section. View the Adopt a Trail Brochure (PDF).

The Conservation Club provides youth age 13 to 17 with the perfect opportunity to earn volunteer service hours while working with the Park Rangers and enjoying the outdoors. Activities include:

• Enhancing trails
• Planting trees
• River clean-ups and more

Additional Information
Contact the Park Ranger Office for available dates.

Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) staff and volunteers monitor the Eastern Bluebird during the breeding season. Bluebird trails are monitored throughout Prince George’s County on a weekly basis to observe nest attempts, eggs, hatchlings, nestlings, and fledglings in each box. Although the nesting boxes are constructed for bluebirds, other species utilize the boxes as well.

The Eastern Bluebird program has been an important and successful endeavor for the birds in Prince George’s County. The amount of cumulative fledglings has increased each year since 2005 and will continue to grow thanks to the efforts of our dedicated volunteers and staff.

Opportunities are provided for the completion of Eagle Scout projects and Gold Awards. Please contact the Park Ranger Office for inquiries regarding doing scout-related projects on parkland.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Park Rangers have select meadow sites throughout the county that are managed as Monarch Waystations. Monarch Waystations are areas that are dedicated to creating and/or preserving habitats for migrating monarch butterflies and their larva (caterpillars). In order to be successful, waystations must include both nectar plants and milkweed plants. The nectar plants are important for the butterflies to feed on as adults. The milkweed plants are critical because they are the only plant on which the monarch butterflies lay their eggs and the only plant that their caterpillars eat.

Population
The iconic orange, black, and white monarch butterflies are notable for their yearly migration through the United States and Canada to Mexico and southern California. In recent years, the population of these butterflies has dramatically declined. Over the past two decades, the population is thought to have decreased by 90%. Habitat loss and herbicide usage in agricultural fields have greatly affected the population of milkweed plants, which are critical for monarch egg laying and caterpillars survival.

Habitats
Through the creation of Monarch Waystations, the M-NCPPC Park Rangers are creating habitats to encourage monarch butterflies to thrive. We hope these habitats will help bring the monarch population back to where it once was. Contact the Park Ranger Office at (301) 627-7755 for information regarding the programs/activities.

These “Weed Warriors” assist with the identification, removal, and management of non-native plant species. They help allow native plants to flourish in our forest. Remember to dress appropriately and bring plenty of water. Gloves and other supplies/equipment will be provided.

Groups or individuals can adopt a pond throughout Prince George’s County. Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring wetlands periodically
• Removing trash and debris
• Reporting park needs and various other environmental projects

This opportunity requires a two-year commitment. Training and materials are provided the Park Rangers. Volunteer assignment schedules vary. This opportunity is ideal for individuals, Scouts group, families, businesses, community groups, and church groups. Groups are recognized with signage at the adopted pond.

The Park Rangers conduct on-site evaluation of wildlife issues in parks and park facilities. The rangers also respond to injured wildlife on parkland.

The Park Rangers maintain the wood duck boxes located in M-NCPPC parks located throughout the county. This includes:

• Monitoring the boxes once a year to collect data on fledglings
• Preparing the wood duck boxes for the following season

Each year we increase the number of boxes to new and existing parks in an attempt to raise the current population. Wood ducks typically nest from late February throughout July. Nesting mostly occurs in March and April. The average nest size is twelve eggs with one being laid per day.