What’s the Conservation Team Been Up To This Winter?

For our Land Steward, Zac, winter is anything but a time to slow down! With the help of dedicated volunteers, he’s been hard at work improving our native habitats. Winter offers unique advantages for land management, and we’ve been making the most of them.

One of our winter projects is the Winter Brush Blitz, where we’ve already removed thousands of invasive shrubs. These aggressive plants threaten native species, disrupt natural hydrology, and interfere with ecological succession. Tackling them in winter prevents regrowth and minimizes impact on the surrounding landscape.

We also made a huge impact on habitat health by removing over 4,000 pounds of trash from an old dumpsite along the edge of a marsh. Thanks to frozen ground, we could safely access the area without disturbing sensitive wetland plants or compacting the soil. Had we attempted this in summer, the damage to the ecosystem would have been significant.

At our Murray Preserve, we kicked off a prairie restoration project by removing non-native Scotch pine encroaching on the area and establishing fire breaks. Doing this work while native grasses and forbs are dormant ensures minimal disturbance and sets the stage for a healthier, more resilient prairie.

Winter also provides the perfect opportunity for frost seeding, a natural method of restoring native plant populations. Using seeds we’ve collected throughout the year, we allow nature to take the lead, with the freeze-thaw cycle helping to establish strong, diverse plant communities in the seasons to come.

From invasive species removal to habitat restoration, winter is a season of progress—and we’re grateful for the volunteers and members who help make it happen!