Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitor's Center - Upper Marlboro MD
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 38° 43.843 W 076° 43.261
18S E 350406 N 4288300
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitor's Center is located at 11704 Ferno Road, Upper Marlboro MD 20772
Waymark Code: WM18RRH
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 09/19/2023
Views: 2
Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary is the only wildlife sanctuary operated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It is the wintering ground for several thousand Canada geese, the largest concentration on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
The sanctuary was named after Edgar Merkle (1900-1984), an active conservationist who devoted much of his life to protecting and providing for wildlife. Many knew him as the founder of Merkle Press in Washington, D.C. (1936), and others knew him as the originator of a goose breeding plan to introduce Canada geese to the western shores of Maryland (1932). Starting with a handful of breeding pairs, a great deal of perseverance, and a habitat improvement plan in mind, Mr. Merkle eventually encouraged thousands of geese to visit the 400-acre Merkle farm to feed and rest. In 1970, the Merkles sold their land, including some donated parcles, to the state. With the acquisition of adjoining tracts, the wildlife refuge now encompasses 1,670 acres.
(
visit link) Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Visitor Center web site