Battling Vandalism and Theft
Unfortunately, we’ve recently seen an increase in vandalism on our properties. Graffiti, damaged signs and fences, unauthorized trail building, and even theft of infrastructure like picnic tables all take time, funding, and energy away from conservation. Unauthorized motor vehicle use, like ATVs or motorcycles on trails, can cause serious erosion and long-lasting damage to trails designed for foot traffic.
Workers repair a fence at a trailhead parking lot.
Repairing Nature’s Impacts
Beyond human impacts, our stewards also contend with the forces of nature. Severe weather, such as this year’s tornadoes at Monte Sano and flooding rains at Harvest Square, can cause major destruction, washing out trails or leaving behind hazardous debris that may take months of work to repair.
Tornado damage at Monte Sano Nature Preserve.
Fighting Insects and Invasives
Natural ecosystems face biological threats as well. Infestations of insects like pine beetles spread quickly and devastate trees. When they strike, stewards must quickly identify the infestations, remove affected trees, and monitor surrounding areas to stop the spread before it devastates entire stands of forest.
Invasive plants present a different but equally serious challenge. These fast-growing species crowd out native plants, reducing food and habitat for wildlife. Our stewards and volunteers spend countless hours cutting, pulling, and treating invasives to give native species the space they need to thrive. In many cases, this is ongoing, year-round work requiring persistence and careful management.
A volunteer cuts back invasive species at a trail care day.