Trails Stewardship Committee THE MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL


Spotlight on Anne Arundel County: Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge North Tract by Katherine O. Rizzo


In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created


the Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge by Execu- tive Order to support wildlife research. T e refuge originally covered about 2,000 acres but has since grown to over 12,800 acres across Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties. Much of the property was once a military base. T e U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the


refuge, and the U.S. Geological Survey manages the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel. According to Fish & Wildlife, it is only National Wildlife Refuge in the country that was established specifi cally to support wildlife research. T e Service explains that the refuge “is the largest block of un- fragmented forest between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and has been called the ‘green lungs’ of the region.” It is a separate operation from the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary on the tidal portions of the Patuxent River, which is managed by Anne Arundel County; and from the 2,000 acres of the Patuxent River State Park in Prince George’s County, which is managed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. T e Refuge is open from 8 am to 4 pm every


day except for federal holidays and the occasional scheduled hunting days. T ere is ample trailer parking as well as perma- nent restrooms and a visitor information station. In addition to riding, hiking and fi shing, the refuge has ranger-led programs and is a favorite spot for birders and photographers. T e North Tract holds around 25 miles of multi-use trails and tends to be less crowded than the South Tract, which is also known as the Dan Ashe Division. Horseback riding is only allowed in the North Tract. T e trails on the North Tract are mainly wide gravel roads. T ere are many smaller trails, but horseback riders must pay attention to trail signs as some of these smaller trails are open to foot traffi c only. T e refuge is home to many deep-forest songbirds such as the Scarlet


Tanager and the Vireo, which hide from predators, within the largest area of unbroken tree cover between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Trail users should also keep an eye out for Bald Eagles, American Bea- vers, and the Spotted Salamander. One note of caution – the trail guide, which is available on T e Equiery


website, asks visitors to “stay on marked trails for your safety and the safety of Patuxent’s wildlife. As a former military training site, unex- ploded ordnance (UXO) are still present in the area.” T e U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also warns that “due to active nearby gun ranges and the risk of unexploded ordnance, visitors must stay on roads and trails.” T e main entrance to the visitor center is at 10901 Scarlet Tanager


www.equiery.com | 800-244-9580


MHC TRAILS STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR: Carolann Sharpe • blackandwhitecookieequine@gmail.com THE EQUIERY YOUR MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION | NOVEMBER 2023 | 29


Loop, Laurel, MD 20708-4036. Contact the visitor center at 301-497- 5772 for trailer parking information. Always confi rm that the park is open before planning a visit.


T e Carroll County Equestrian Council held a trails work day on October 8 at Morgan Run NEA in Sykesville. T e crew of volunteers mowed the trails, parking low and auxiliary parking area at the picnic table. T ey also cut back encroaching vegetation and trimmed around the rocks on the entire perimeter of the parking area. T e fi nal work day of the season is scheduled for November 12. Please contact CCEC secretary Carolyn Garber at ccecofmd@yahoo.com to sign up!


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