Standing on a cobblestone bridge arching over picturesque Big Elk Creek, Ed Walls stares into the water and looks for signs of fish. This is one of Ed's favorite spots, where he comes to enjoy the quiet and reflect after a typical 12-hour work day. "You know," he says, "This place makes me melt it's so beautiful. And, to me, it's even more beautiful when I see people enjoying the open space we have here."

Bordering Pennsylvania to the north and within a half-mile of Delaware to the east, Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area offers visitors a true oasis of natural beauty in a rapidly urbanizing corridor.

During a recent tour of the dirt roads that crisscross Fair Hill's hayfields, Ed stopped his truck and softly honked the horn. Pointing excitedly, he proudly identified the Bobolinks that flush out of the hay and fly swiftly across the grass. Harvest of this hayfield has been delayed in order to provide suitable habitat for wildlife such as these grassland birds, a species in decline throughout the Mid-Atlantic states due to habitat loss. Other wildlife, including hawks, owls and foxes that prey on meadow voles and grassland birds, benefit as well from this management strategy. It is part of a new challenge at Fair Hill, which was chosen as a pilot project for implementing ecosystem-based land management planning.

Things to Do

Trails: An extensive 75-mile trail system of single track and dirt roads offer hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. A trail map is available at the Fair Hill office.

Equestrians: Three equestrian organizations maintain a permanent presence at Fair Hill. Individual horse owners lease more than 53 paddocks and buildings. Events occur year-round, including fox chasing, organized trail rides and steeple chase races.

Fishing: 2,500 anglers are regular users of Fair Hills diverse fishery resource. The main attraction is five-miles of Big Elk Creek, which is managed as both a seasonal put-and-take and cool water stream fishery. Up to 10,000 adult brown and rainbow trout are stocked by DNR each spring and fall. Self-sustaining populations of other game fish, including small mouth bass, redbreast sunfish, bluegill and white sucker are also available year-round.

Hunting: Hunting at Fair Hill is by permit only. A three-month bow season starts September 15 through January 31 on a designated 650 acres. The states largest managed deer hunt (shotgun) is scheduled annually in January.

Birding: Fair Hill is an attractive site for birders. Grassland species such as the Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, and the Grasshopper Sparrow are regular breeders. Bottomland woods hosts forest dwellers, like the uncommon Cerulean Warbler. For information on organized field trips, contact the Ornithological Society of Cecil County at: 410.398.4909.

Interpretive Programs: Environmental education programs and Junior Ranger activities are offered at the Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center. Contact the non-profit Fair Hill Foundation, Inc. at 410.398.4909.

Camping: Fair Hill offers primitive camping for recognized youth groups at several areas near Big Elk Creek.

Special Events: A recently constructed Visitor Center provides a modern indoor facility for events, such as banquets and wedding receptions.

Directions to Fair Hill:

Fair Hill is located eight miles north of Elkton, Maryland in Cecil County. Take exit #100 on Interstate Route 95, follow Route 272 north for five miles. At stop light, turn right onto Route 273. Follow Route 273 east for six miles to Fair Hill.

Call the visitors office for more information at 410-398-1246, or visit Maryland DNR's website.

Don't miss these other nature pages:

Control mosquitos naturally	Learn How Ponds Work
Discover Fair Hill	Raising Terrapins
Eagles in Maryland	The birds and the bees
Master Gardeners can help	Spring tree planting
Gardening on the Internet	The Great Blue Heron
The Pearl of Queenstown	The Merrill Center
Secrets for a Scented Garden