Oregon Ridge wildlife habitat mistakenly mowed, sparking outrage in Baltimore County

BALTIMORE – Employees at Oregon Ridge Nature Center are upset after Baltimore County workers mistakenly mowed a meadow filled with grass and flowers used by wildlife.

Tucked behind lush trees along Shawan Road in Cockeysville, this meadow was a habitat for pollinators and birds in the heart of the nesting season. As a result of the mistake, the animal will have to find a new place for its nest.

“It’s usually late fall or winter, so there’s plenty of time for the meadow to grow properly and it should have happened during that time, and it didn’t,” said Bob Smith, director of Baltimore County Recreation and Parks.

Smith said mowing was a serious mistake.

However, there was outrage on the Internet from nature advocates.

Smith said he is working with stakeholders to make sure this mistake doesn’t happen again.

“It wasn’t anything malicious,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, mistakes were made. Our challenge now is to establish protocols and processes that will transfer control of park maintenance to the recreation and parks agency and focus on what we do there.”

Smith said he has spoken with the chairman of the Oregon Ridge Wildlife Council and plans to meet with other interested parties in the coming days.

“And our Office of Environmental Protection, as well as the Office of Sustainability, to work on further paths to make improvements and work together for the future,” Smith said.