MRGP Center for Applied Suburban Ecology (CASE)
Suburban areas have been rapidly expanding around the world for decades, yet
only recently has the scientific community come to recognize the value of
protecting the often unique biodiversity resources of these suburban preserves
and the specific conservation issues presented by these ecosystems. Urban fringe
only recently has the scientific community come to recognize the value of
protecting the often unique biodiversity resources of these suburban preserves
and the specific conservation issues presented by these ecosystems. Urban fringe
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| Backyard coyote sighting |
Ever since our founding as the first Nature Conservancy land project, science has
been at the core of our values - shaping our land protection and watershed
management strategies. Today - through several exciting programs - we are
continuing in this tradition by fostering a new understanding on how suburban
ecosystems "work" and how the value of suburban preserves can be maintained
and enhanced. It is our hope and intention to serve as a model for
science-based conservation of small, protected natural areas everywhere
through the pursuit of our mission.
been at the core of our values - shaping our land protection and watershed
management strategies. Today - through several exciting programs - we are
continuing in this tradition by fostering a new understanding on how suburban
ecosystems "work" and how the value of suburban preserves can be maintained
and enhanced. It is our hope and intention to serve as a model for
science-based conservation of small, protected natural areas everywhere
through the pursuit of our mission.
areas often contain pockets of habitat and biodiversity
dominated by large human populations. In these
landscapes, fragmentation is the norm, exotic species
proliferate, human-wildlife conflict is not uncommon,
and the lack of predators may lead to herbivores
obtaining ultra-high densities. On the other hand,
many of the these areas contain older forests and a
distinctive collection of species associated with the
increased “edge” between human development and
protected forest.
dominated by large human populations. In these
landscapes, fragmentation is the norm, exotic species
proliferate, human-wildlife conflict is not uncommon,
and the lack of predators may lead to herbivores
obtaining ultra-high densities. On the other hand,
many of the these areas contain older forests and a
distinctive collection of species associated with the
increased “edge” between human development and
protected forest.
Land managers of suburban preserves face two major
impediments to confronting these issues. First, many look at
these preserves as doomed resources better suited as
“parks” for recreation than for the preservation of natural
resources and diversity. Second, traditional land management
strategies are difficult where private homeowners dominate
the landscape.
impediments to confronting these issues. First, many look at
these preserves as doomed resources better suited as
“parks” for recreation than for the preservation of natural
resources and diversity. Second, traditional land management
strategies are difficult where private homeowners dominate
the landscape.
Showy orchis - rediscovered at the MRGP in 2005. Thus far,
found only on the office driveway
found only on the office driveway
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