Mt. Briar Wetland Preserve
Buildings, Grounds & Parks Department
240-313-2700
Welcome to Mt. Briar Wetland Preserve. This thirty acre natural area, located along Millbrook Road off Maryland Route #67
near Rohrersville, contains approximately one mile of floating boardwalk which meanders
through one of Maryland's most unique non-tidal wetlands.
The Wetland:
Wetlands are areas that are periodically or permanently inundated by surface or ground
water and support plant and animal species adapted to life in saturated soils. The
soil within this wetland is silty clay loam and the soil's moderate acidity explains the
unusual abundance of Sphagnum, normally prevalent in colder climates. Sphagnum is an
indicator of high quality wetland and is more predominant at Mt. Briar than at any other
site between the Coastal Plain and the Allegheny Plateau.
The wetland
preserve contains both deciduous woodland and an upland grassy meadow. Water emerges
from seepage springs at the north end of the preserve and as there is no natural stream
channelization, water flows through the upper layer of substrate, causing the soil's
saturation. A field study done in 1984 identified 29 tree species, 81 species of
grass, 16 shrubs and vines, 4 moss species, 36 bird species, and numerous reptile, insect,
and animal life.
The size of this wetland, believed to be among the best in this
geographic region, makes its protection important not only to wildlife, but to humans
interested in the preservation of non-renewable resources for nature and scientific study.
The wetland is a wonderful location for watching birds and animals.
Park History and Development:
Citizens living in the southern portion of Washington County voiced a need for the
development of a park facility in their area in 1979. The thirty acres now known as
Mt. Briar was purchased for that purpose in 1981. During a visit by Department of
Natural Resources officials in 1983, it was determined that the site was a valuable
wetland which could not be developed as originally intended. However, in 1986,
citizens did get the type of park they had envisioned when Chestnut Grove Park was
developed.
In order to
allow for human visitation of the wetland while minimizing excessive damage to this
fragile ecosystem, plans were developed to build a floating boardwalk with observation
decks. Under the direction of the Parks Department personnel, a Maryland
Conservation Corps youth crew built the first loop of the boardwalk with two elevated
observation decks. The second loop of the boardwalk with an elevated observation
deck was completed in 1988. During construction, it was necessary to remove trees
and other undergrowth. In some places, smaller branches and brush were left in piles
for wildlife nesting and/or den sites. Parks Department personnel laid the parking
area with gravel to reduce the negative effects of runoff into the wetland and are
maintaining the open grassy field as a "managed meadow."
Under a
"managed meadow" system, only one specific section of the field is mowed each
year which allows the un-mowed portion of the field to serve as wildlife habitat.
Additionally, by not allowing trees and shrubs to invade the area, the process of
succession has been halted ensuring this area will remain a meadow.
Unfortunately, wetlands are extremely sensitive to human disturbances.
Vehicle tracks in the soft soil deepen to create artificial stream channels which could
drain off water necessary to aquatic life. Conversely, vehicle tracks also allow
more water to stand in areas not accustomed to submersion which could cause the death of
certain plants. Human footsteps create similar problems on a smaller scale.
When damage occurs on a large scale, the habitat alters, perhaps causing the
disappearance of certain species needed by others for survival. A break in the
fragile chain of the ecosystem in the wetland could lead to extinction of whole groups of
plants or animals.
Natural areas such as Mt. Briar are living museums. In
these wetlands, life is constantly evolving, offering a wondrous opportunity to view the
miracle and mystery of life.
In order to safeguard the wetland, the entrance gates are open by
appointment only. Walk-in traffic is permitted. Information about the
preserve may be obtained by contacting the Washington County Parks Department at
240-313-2700.
Enjoy your visit to Mt. Briar Wetland Preserve. Please take
only pictures and leave only memories. Put litter in its place.
