Welcome to the MWDI website and information center!
The Maryland Wood Duck Initiative (MWDI) is a two-year-old, all-volunteer, non-profit entity. Our objectives are to enhance Maryland’s wood duck population and to generate a greater appreciation of the wetland habitats in which they live by advocating and demonstrating the merits of a “best practices” approach in managed nest programs.

Our web site is now almost two months old! We’ve received many nice compliments which we attribute directly to the efforts of DNR’s Linda Wiley. Content development will develop significantly over the next year especially as we document and photograph a myriad of nesting and wetland experiences across the state.

In the first half of 2007, MWDI will focus on the following:

• Implement numerous field projects (See latest Activity Report)

• Expand the volunteer network
  (Inquires have jumped since the website was launched)

• Finalize the 2006 state-wide nesting summary

• Continue selected Research projects

• Initiate the Certification Program & training manual documentation

Check out the MWDI Events Calendar for projects that may interest you. Specific email updates will be sent to interested Volunteers.

Nest Box Kit Program
We’re pleased to report that our box kit program was utilized by several in conjunction with the completion of our public box building projects. We will continue to provide this cost effective service periodically. (See What’s New for a near term special order opportunity which expires Feb 13th!).

We’re especially pleased that our predator guard supplier has received orders for over 100 guards from Indiana, Tennessee and Virginia as a result of MWDI’s publicity links and networking which are very embryonic.

Education-oriented activities have expanded.
We have had two scout troops assembling boxes and two others will become involved in the installation and monitoring aspects at Ft. Meade and Frederick Municipal Forest. A high school presentation is planned March 7th at the River Hill Honor Society (Clarksville) and we will have another student working with MWDI to fulfill his service requirements this spring.

As before, we profusely thank our participants, volunteers, partners and other “kindred spirits” for their efforts on behalf of the ducks, the other box creatures, the kids and themselves. MWDI can accommodate anyone’s time and interest niche, so don’t hesitate to challenge us on how we might do that just that!

Sincerely,

Cliff Brown
Executive Director
Maryland Wood Duck Initiative

Acknowledgement: Jump Day - Duckling jumps from nest,
Photo courtesy of Roger Strand