Header image  
Creating and preserving
wildlife habitat for over 25 years
 
  
 
P.O. Box 1745
  46 Pennsylvania Ave.
  Easton, MD 21601
  410-822-5100
    info@cheswildlife.org
   
 
 
WATERFOWL FESTIVAL CANADA GOOSE SANCTUARY PROGRAM

Providing native migrant Canada Geese with a consistent winter food source

The Goose Sanctuary Program, funded by the Waterfowl Festival and administered by CWH, provides successful wintering habitat for native, migratory Canada Geese. Farmers and landowners are paid to leave standing corn in their fields and/or plant a winter cover crop of wheat or barley. These sanctuary sites provide long-term, safe resting havens and food for wintering and migrating Canada Geese.

A total of 11 farms in Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Kent and Dorchester counties participated in the program during the 2008-2009 season. In conjunction with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ WHIP program and the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Cover Crop Program, more than $25,342 worth of cover crop was available to the region's feathered friends for the winter that followed. In addition, CWH contributed more than $12,000 worth of standing corn and soybeans.

The Waterfowl Festival Sanctuary Program has provided successful winter habitat management for migratory geese, within the limits of funding, for the last 22 years. Long-term sanctuaries are perhaps the best method of ensuring that migratory geese will continue to winter in the region each year and return in good condition to their northern breeding grounds.

To become involved in or learn more about the Waterfowl Festival Goose Sanctuary Program, please contact Robin at 410-822-5100.

 


 CWH is a proud member of Environmental Fund for Maryland


 

Sustainable Agriculture Program


Delmarva Power Rights of Way Research