Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge was established by the Secretary of the Interior on December 6, 2024, when the first parcel of land was donated to the Service by The Nature Conservancy. It currently consists of 31 acres with plans to expand to over 40,000 within the approved acquisition boundary. The refuge consists of forested habitat that is vulnerable to conversion from expansion of development within the Washington DC metropolitan region. Along with several watersheds the Refuge will continue to conserve waterfowl and other migratory bird habitat, aid in the recovery of listed threatened and endangered species and provide needed outdoor recreational opportunities for the 10 million people who live and work in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan region.