New Beginnings - The Woodlawn Wildlife Area

About the Program
The Bridgestone Americas, Inc., New Beginnings - The Woodlawn Wildlife Area is a former landfill site in rural Cecil County, Maryland. Bridgestone has been maintaining the site for wildlife habitat since the early 2000s. The property features a mix of woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. 

Practices and Impacts

• The team manages a 52.6-acre forest habitat managed is 52.6 acres with the goals of improving and maintaining the wildlife habitat on the property. In order to maintain the forest, team members hand pulled invasive plants, cleaned up trash and pruned trees. They also conduct invasive plant surveys. 
• As part of their restoration work, team members have cleaned up trash and dispersed milkweed seed at the on-site grassland. Next steps include mowing the grassland in late winter, reassessing seeding needs and treating non-native invasive plants. 
• Annually, the tea, cleans and repairs nest boxes on-site to help increase the diversity and abundance of native bird species — specifically cavity-nesting birds and local raptors. 
• Partnering with the Boy Scouts of America and the local 4-H Club, the team installed five new insect hotels to provide habitat for native butterflies and bees.
• Coverboards were placed on-site to provide places for native green frogs, tree frogs, painted turtles, black rat snakes and eastern red-backed salamanders to hide. 
• The team utilizes hand pulling and pruning to contain or eradicate invasive species in the area, including wineberry, Japanese stiltgrass and garlic mustard. Volunteers from the 4-H Club hand pulled invasive plant species from insect hotels as well as trail edges in grasslands and forest habitats.
• The outreach events conducted on-site help connect youth with their local environment so they will develop an appreciation for it. Through three biodiversity-focused events for youth organizations and their families, the team shared a presentation about biodiversity, a nature walk throughout the property and a corresponding activity. Participants explored the forest, grassland, wetland and vernal pool on-site, learning about the common plants and animals there, with special emphasis placed on protecting native species.