Environmental Education
Summer Camp Project

Wood Duck Nest Box Project

The North American Wood Duck population was endangered in the 1920’s. A concerned group of water fowlers began a program of building Wood Duck nest boxes to supplement those natural cavities that were lost through “clear cut” lumbering, agricultural expansion, and overexploitation. Market hunting and the use of feathers in the millinery (hat making) industry also contributed to the decline of this once abundant native waterfowl. However, through aggressive conservation efforts, the wood duck has recovered from near-extinction and is among our most abundant North American waterfowl.

Participants in this program will enjoy the challenge of making a Wood Duck nest box and selecting appropriate habitat in which to place it. They will service previously placed boxes, restoring their capability to produce a new brood, making required repairs, removing “egg sacs” to identify hatch rate from previous year, and replacing nesting materials (i.e., pinewood shavings). 

All wood duck nest box installation locations will be specifically identified utilizing GPS hardware to establish coordinates.  All data collected will be catalogued and shared with appropriate environmental conservation groups.

Other Stewardship Projects

• Trout Stream Habitat Assessment
• Open Space Stewardship Program
• Northern Bob White Quails/Habitat Restoration
• Ornithology (Bird Study)
• Pond Study
• Interpretive Nature Trail
• Water Quality
• Marine Science (Shell Fish Restoration Program)
• Entomology (Insect Study)

Back to Summer Camps home

[Return to PEP - Outreach Home Page]