Overview

Stewardship refers to the responsible management of upland and coastal resources using the best available science to maintain and restore healthy, productive, and resilient ecosystems. In addition to on-site land management efforts, the stewardship program also works with partners at the state, regional and national level to promote better stewardship of coastal habitats.

Three primary focus areas for on-the-ground stewardship efforts on the Reserve properties are coastal grasslands, Atlantic coastal pine barrens, and salt marsh complexes. As these habitats are relatively uncommon in the state they support a greater number of species that are rare, threatened or declining in numbers.
Three primary focus areas for on-the-ground stewardship efforts on the Reserve properties are coastal grasslands, Atlantic coastal pine barrens, and salt marsh complexes. As these habitats are relatively uncommon in the state they support a greater number of species that are rare, threatened or declining in numbers.
Coastal grasslands vary in type from those dominated by warm-season grasses (e.g., switchgrass, little blue stem) to meadows with shrubs and wildflowers (e.g., blueberry, milkweed) to savannahs, which may include a few mature trees. Nationally and regionally, grasslands and the species they support are declining.
Coastal grasslands vary in type from those dominated by warm-season grasses (e.g., switchgrass, little blue stem) to meadows with shrubs and wildflowers (e.g., blueberry, milkweed) to savannahs, which may include a few mature trees. Nationally and regionally, grasslands and the species they support are declining.
Atlantic coastal pine barrens are locally and regionally rare habitats consisting of a mosaic of grassland, shrubland, pitch pine forest, and oak-pine forest. This habitat supports a variety of rare species (e.g. yellow-breasted chat and various tiger beetles, moths, and butterflies).
Atlantic coastal pine barrens are locally and regionally rare habitats consisting of a mosaic of grassland, shrubland, pitch pine forest, and oak-pine forest. This habitat supports a variety of rare species (e.g. yellow-breasted chat and various tiger beetles, moths, and butterflies).
Salt marsh ecosystems form along the coastline over thousands of years. The habitat includes several distinct plant communities which develop based on very small changes in elevation. Areas at slightly higher elevations—even 1-2 centimeters—are flooded by the tides more frequently. Many bird species depend on healthy salt marsh ecosystems as nesting or feeding sites.
Salt marsh ecosystems form along the coastline over thousands of years. The habitat includes several distinct plant communities which develop based on very small changes in elevation. Areas at slightly higher elevations—even 1-2 centimeters—are flooded by the tides more frequently. Many bird species depend on healthy salt marsh ecosystems as nesting or feeding sites.
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