Lately, our conservation stewards have been busy doing maintenance work on our Quakertown Swamp Preserve–but the end goal isn’t to make it look pretty.

“We’re trying to keep the surrounding forest from reclaiming it back to the forest it once was,” explains Jim Drennan, Senior Conservation Steward. “Shrubland habitat has best been described as messy, the kind of habitat that many people don’t know much about. It’s difficult to explore due to the riotous growth of grass, perennials, shrubs, trees, vines, and thorny invasive plants.”

Regardless of its unkempt appearance, the Quakertown Swamp is an exceptional habitat for all kinds of wildlife. Birds thrive in the area: prairie warblers and blue-winged warblers, for instance, utilize the location for nesting cover, while other species (such as the rose-breasted grosbeak) find it ideal for juvenile foraging habitat.

Deer enjoy the benefits of this area as well. The shrubland is valuable to the females in particular, as it is prime location for giving birth and keeping their young fawns safely hidden.

What humans may view as an overgrown or untidy plot of land is actually the site of a thriving ecosystem, providing shelter and food to a variety of creatures! Our stewardship team is doing a great job of maintaining this valuable area so that it can continue to be utilized by local wildlife.