Managing Grasslands Shrublands and Young Forest Habitats for Wildlife A Guide for the Northeast

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Managing Grasslands, Shrublands, and Young Forest Habitats for Wildlife: A Guide for the Northeast

Edited by: James D. Oehler - New Hampshire Fish & Game Department, Darrel F. Covell - University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, Steve Capel - Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, and Bob Long - Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Published by: The Northeast Upland Habitat Technical Committee and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

Grasslands, shrublands, and young forest habitats (collectively referred to as early successional habitats) have been declining throughout the Northeast for decades as have the wildlife species associated with them. For instance, twelve of sixteen shrubland birds and seven of ten grassland birds have declining population trends in the region. Many are listed as threatened or endangered in several northeastern states. Additionally, American woodcock have declined by 40% over the past 30 years, and New England cottontails occur in only 20% of the area that this species was historically found. Given that more than 73% of forestland in the region is privately owned, it is imperative that landowners and the professionals that provide guidance to them help to address the decline of these habitats.

Written primarily by state and federal wildlife biologists and foresters, this guide will provide you with important information on how to maintain and restore these habitats on the lands you own or manage. Whether you are a novice or an experienced land manager, this guide will provide helpful information anyone can use to better manage early successional habitats.

Contents-- Title Page, Preface, Acknowledgements, Contents
Introduction -- Darrel Covell, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
Looking in a Landscape Perspective-- John Litvaitis, University of New Hampshire
Maintaining and Restoring Grasslands -- Paul Rothbart, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Steve Capel, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
Managing Shrublands and Old Fields-- Brian Tefft, Rhode Island Division of Fish & Wildlife
Managing Regenerating and Young Forest Habitat-- John W. Lanier, New Hampshire Fish & Game Department
Managing Small Forest Openings-- Judy Wilson, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Managing Abandoned Orchards and Apple Trees-- Judy M. Wilson, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Invasive Exotic Plants in Early Successional Habitats-- James D. Oehler, New Hampshire Fish & Game Department
Riparian Areas: Managing Early Successional Habitats Near The Water's Edge-- Thomas P. Hodgman, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Habitat Management Tools

Using Prescribed Fire to Manage Habitats in the Northeast-- Tim Simmons, Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
Herbiciding-- James D. Oehler, New Hampshire Fish & Game Department
Grazing for Wildlife Habitat Enhancement-- Tyler Webb, Vermont Natural Resources Conservation Service
Mechanical Tools-- Steve Hill, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Habitat Management Case Studies

Creating Early Successional Habitat on a Small Woodlot in Southeastern New Hampshire-- Matt Tarr, University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
Grouse Management at the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia-- Gary Foster, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Massachusetts Woodlands Cooperative: A New Tool for Landscape Planning and Management-- Paul Catanzaro, University of Massachusetts Cooperative Extension
Quail and Cottontail Management on Buck Range Farm, Maryland-- Bob Long, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Donald Webster, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Pennsylvania's Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program-- Colleen A. DeLong, Pennsylvania Natural Resources Conservation Service and Jefferey D. Finn, Pennsylvania Natural Resources Conservation Service

Opportunities to Obtain Financial Assistance for Wildlife Habitat Management Projects-- Jim Oehler, New Hampshire Fish & Game Department
Appendix A: Contact Information for Selected Federal and State Agencies
Appendix B: List of Common and Scientific Names of the Plant and Animal Species Mentioned in This Guide

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Managing Grasslands, Shrublands, and Young Forest Habitats for Wildlife: A Guide for the Northeast