2.4 Habitat restoration
Wildlife conservation is a major theme in all of the programming, exhibits, and outreach provided by Watkins Nature Center. We have installed habitat gardens, pollinator gardens, outdoor ponds, and maintain blue bird and wood duck boxes throughout the park. Watkins Regional Park is also home to a beaver lodge, fox dens, and a large heron rookery - all of which we use in our public programming.
EXAMPLES OF HOW WE ADHERE TO THOSE GOALS AT WATKINS NATURE CENTER
Blue Bird Trail
Our bluebird trail - which consists of over 20 blue bird boxes - is maintained and studied by our Watkins Youth Nature Club. Because of this, we have a thriving bluebird population in the park!
Native Gardens
Watkins Nature Center has of 100 sq. ft of native garden on their property. This space is maintained by students groups, volunteers, staff, and community members. This garden serves not only as a monarch waystation, but also as a teaching tool to educate the public about the benefits of native gardening to wildlife and the health of the environment.
Below is a photo of one of our nature camps identifying native plants and animals in the garden.
Below is a photo of one of our nature camps identifying native plants and animals in the garden.
Invasive Weed Pulls
Invasive plants pose a significant threat to our native flora and fauna. We have many groups that come in that help in the removal of large quantities of these plants. These groups include student volunteers, scout groups, and our partnership with the Schmidt center. When the students in partnership with the Schmidt center come to release their bluegills from their Sunfish in the Classroom program, they are taught about the impacts of invasive plants and wrap up their visit in a large weed pull.