Early successional forests and grassland habitats are important to a wide variety of wildlife species including hawks, songbirds, deer, turkeys, fox and rabbits. In order to maintain habitat in the early stage of succession, it is necessary to mow or burn the shrubs and small trees periodically, usually every 5-10 years.

At the South Branch WMA, where American kestrels, a New Jersey threatened species, nest, periodic mowing is used to maintain the field habitat that the kestrels use to hunt in. A hydro-ax was used at South Branch WMA to cut down and shred small trees in March 2017. It was used again in December 2017 in another section of the Wildlife Management Area. A number of trees will be left for perches and invasive species of trees such as the Bradford pear will be treated with herbicide, as they grow.

Habitat Management Projects