Habitat Restoration
Masonville Cove has beautiful native gardens. All of the gardens have been created and planted by students. Since 2012, over 2,000 students have helped plant about 1806 square feet of gardens. Before planting, students learn about native plants and why are they are important. Below are pictures from different plantings over the years.
On July 30, 2014, 30 volunteers from the Naval Reserves helped plant a steep slope with native shrubs. Over 100 plants were planted to help stabilize the hill.
This past fall, one of our interns measured out the area of all the gardens. Masonville Cove has planted over 1806 square feet of native gardens since 2012.
A unique habitat that students have helped reestablish are the wetlands along the shorelines of the Masonville Cove. What was once a barren shoreline is now a vital habitat for water snakes, diamondback terrapins, a multitude of fish, and waterfowl. We have had many different student groups and adult groups assist with this process. Over 1,500 individuals to date, have assisted with shoreline planting.
During school field trips, students are given a tour of the property's unique habitat structures. An osprey platform was built by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Students learn all about Osprey and can see them nesting out on a piling in the Cove. We also have 10 bird boxes that were implemented with the help of the National Aquarium. Our interns monitor the bird boxes and clean them out every fall.