Conservation
“When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” – Aldo Leopold
Conservation for our shared future
Stewardship has always been at the core of Avalon Nature Preserve’s mission. Avalon’s conservation initiatives aim to sustain thriving habitats for the flora and fauna residing within the Preserve. Please take a few moments to read below about Avalon’s exciting conservation and restoration initiatives for our shared future.
Pollinator Habitat
Historically used as livestock pasture, the Preserve’s original Hilltop Meadow and the newly restored Harbor Meadow were planted with native pollinator-friendly species. Today these thriving fields are alive with milkweed, sunflower, butterfly weed and big bluestem which, in turn, attract myriad species of bees, butterflies and wasps. This habitat provides natural cover for migrating birds as well as ground-dwelling mammals.
Quail and Pheasant Restoration
Traditionally abundant in Avalon’s habitat, quail and pheasant have become increasingly scarce in recent decades. For the past seven years, Avalon has initiated a concerted effort to re-establish viable breeding populations of these native, ground nesting birds. The Preserve raises chicks in a surrogator each year and releases them into the meadows. Our hope is that the quail’s call of “bob-white” and the male pheasant’s vibrant flash of color will once again become familiar to Avalon’s meadows.