Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary
11704 Fenno Road
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/merkle.html
301-888-1410

The Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary was named after Edgar Merkle (1900-1984), the founder of Merkle Press in Washington, D.C. and an active conservationist who devoted much of his life to protecting and providing for wildlife. The sanctuary encompasses 1,670 acres, and has the largest concentration of Canada geese on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

The geese arrive in mid-October and stay until late February or early March. About 100 geese stay the year round. During the peak of the season, more than 5,000 geese may be present. Corn, millet and other crops favored by geese are grown for them, adding to the marsh and aquatic plants that flourish in the ponds along the Patuxent River.

All kinds of birds and animals

The sanctuary also offers habitats for a variety of birds and mammals. On a visit to Merkle, one may see red fox, a groundhog, or a white-tailed deer. In the summer, ospreys nest close to the Visitor Center and the hummingbirds, finches and purple martins are abundant. In the neighboring ponds, visitors are likely to see herons and other water birds. On the trails one can see bluebirds and many different songbirds.

Birdwatching, hiking, biking and fishing are available at various times of the year. A service charge of $2 per vehicle is payable at the entrance. Most programs are free or reasonably priced. Quaterly calendars listing upcoming programs are available for the spring, summer, fall and winter months. Call to have a calendar mailed to you. Pets are not allowed. The Wildlife Sanctuary and hiking trails are open 7 a.m. to sunset daily all year, except New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Visitor Center

The center overlooks several ponds and many acres of fields and woods sloping down to the Patuxent River. Its two-story wall of windows and circular balconies face a spectacular view. Ramps and an elevator allow visitors with disabilities to reach both levels of the building and the paths around it.

Live snakes, frogs and turtles

The exhibits focus primarily on the life history and management of the Canada goose. Other exhibits focus on the habitat of the area. A Discovery Room for children has live snakes, frogs, turtles and other wildlife species. The lowel level includes a children's coloring table and a book nook. There is also a gift shop featuring nature items.

Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. The Visitor Center is open Monday and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends (November 1-March 31); and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends (April 1-October 31). The Visitor Center is closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Self-Guided Driving Tour

The Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Driving Tour (CADT) is open for self-guided driving tours on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. throughout the year. It is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for hiking and biking from January through September. The tour begins at Patuxent River Park.

Take Croom Airport Road, off Croom Road (north of Merkle). The CADT travels across Mattaponi Creek onto the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary. The CADT offers a unique opportunity to see and learn about the outstanding natural resources along the Patuxent River.

DIRECTIONS TO MERKLE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

From Annapolis: 34.5 miles Follow Route 50 West to Route 301 South. Continue on Route 301 South to Croom Road (Route 382). Turn left on Croom Road and follow to St. Thomas Church Road. Turn left on St. Thomas Church Road (watch carefully for oncoming traffic) and continue to Fenno Road. Follow Fenno Road, and signs, to the Sanctuary.

From Baltimore: 35.5 miles Exit Beltway (I-695) at Route 3 South to Route 301 (joins at the junction with Route 50). Continue on Route 301 South to Croom Road (Route 382). Turn left on Croom Road and follow to St. Thomas Church Road. Turn left on St. Thomas Church Road (watch carefully for oncoming traffic) and continue to Fenno Road. Follow Fenno Road, and signs, to the Sanctuary.

From Washington, D.C.: 11.7 miles From Beltway (I-495/95) follow to Exit 11 at Route 4 East (Pennsylvania Avenue) toward Upper Marlboro. Continue on Route 4 to Route 301 South. Continue on Route 301 South to Croom Road (Route 382). Turn left on Croom Road and follow to St. Thomas Church Road. Turn left on St. Thomas Church Road (watch carefully for oncoming traffic) and continue to Fenno Road. Follow Fenno Road, and signs, to the Sanctuary.

From Waldorf: 11 miles Follow Route 301 North to Croom Road (Route 382). Turn right on Croom Road to St. Thomas Church Road. Turn left on St. Thomas Church Road (watch carefully for oncoming traffic) and continue to Fenno Road. Follow Fenno Road, and signs, to the Sanctuary.

- Courtesy of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources