Bunny Barriers

Some visitors to Baltimore Woods Natural Area might be surprised to see the recent addition of wire fencing around nearly one dozen planting beds in the lower meadow area, near the entrance at N Catlin Ave. These beds were planted with a variety of native plant species in the fall of 2023 and again recently in fall 2024. The restoration project for this area has the goal of increasing plant diversity in the meadow habitat, so we’ve added over a dozen species of native grasses and flowering forbs to these beds, as well as throughout the grassy landscape.

However, we have noticed an issue arising with the new plants in the meadow – namely, many plants are getting severely clipped or even eaten to the ground by herbivores. After looking at the copious amounts of scat spread throughout the meadow, we have determined that the most likely and damaging culprits are rabbits, probably the eastern cottontail rabbit, a common wild species in the Portland area. These rabbits, while wild, are a non-native species that is comfortable living in close proximity to humans. In order to preserve the plantings, we have resorted to the addition of wire rabbit fencing around the beds. Our hope is that the fenced beds will allow our new plant species to thrive, flower, and set seeds, eventually filling in the beds and propagating themselves further, as they disperse that seed through wind, birds, and other natural methods.

Compared to the green plastic fencing installed then later dismantled last year, it is hoped that the wire fencing does not detract from the enjoyment of a stroll through the meadow. We wanted our neighbors to understand why the fencing was installed, and how it furthers our goals to increase the plant diversity, which in turn will create needed habitat, forage, and beauty for pollinators, birds, mammals and humans!