HABITAT RESTORATION

CONSERVATION PRACTICES AT RAVEN’S NEST

Habitat Restoration

Since our arrival at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary in March 2008, we have been committed to restoring degraded habitats and  promoting land conservation.  Our 42-acre preserve contains a beautiful array of natural environments, each of which has benefitted by our careful land management practices. Our habitats include:

  • Mesquite and Acacia Woodlands
  • Grasslands
  • Ocotillo Forests
  • Arroyos
  • Canyons
  • Wildlife Ponds
 
Professional Ethnobotanist, Wildlife Biologist, Naturalist and Conservationist Vincent Pinto designed an action oriented, hands-on, Ecological Restoration Strategy.  Vincent’s relentless determination since 2008 has led to the rehabilitation of the land to recreate a functioning ecosystem. The Habitat Restoration success throughout the 42-acre Nature Preserve is due to Vincent’s understanding of the species life cycles and interactions, and the food, water, nutrients, space, and shelter that is necessary to sustain diverse and resilient species populations.
 
 
Upon arrival Vincent was on a passionate and determined mission to implement an Ecological Restoration Strategy that included:
  1. 42- acre Habitat Assessment
  2. Planning and Design for each different Habitat
  3. Implementation of interventions for each Habitat
  4. Ongoing Monitoring of results
  5. Continued Post-restoration Habitat Management
Each habitat requires specific hands-on management and direct actions to promote and maintain an optimal level of biodiversity.  We regularly monitor all corners of Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary over the course of the year, noting any particular needs it may have and implementing any required management actions.

WILDLIFE  PONDS

 
To support our amazing Sky Islands Biodiversity Vincent constructed several Wildlife Ponds at Raven’s Nest Nature Sanctuary . Carefully choosing sites that are artfully incorporated into dense tree and shrub cover, we attempt to minimize evaporative water loss and maximize the seclusion offered to all the diverse wildlife that regularly visits them.  These ponds are also small in an effort to reduce the rain-water that we have to use to keep them full to be able to support a wide range of wildlife all year long.  Over the years, we have experienced immense joy and amazing rewards to all our efforts as we witness wildlife relying on these water sources on an ongoing basis.

A rich aquatic environment thrives in each, as evidenced by native wetland plants such as Duckweed and Water Penny as well as many aquatic invertebrates.  Adult Water Boatmen, various species of Diving Beetle, the larvae of Dragonflies and Damselflies, and other species comprise a varied underwater assemblage of life.  Birds flock to the ponds, not only to drink and bath, but also to consume the many invertebrates concentrated in their vicinity.   Lizards and snakes often sun themselves on the fringe of rocks surrounding the ponds, further adding to their enchanting aspect.

Whitetail Deer, Collared Peccary, threatened Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Gray Hawks, Common Gray Fox, various snakes, a veritable blitzkrieg of birds, and many butterflies are a mere sampling of the species benefitting from these crucial sources of water.  Our remote wildlife cameras often capture these species as they visit our ponds.  They are a true nexus of life here at the sanctuary!

Even Osprey, Belted Kingfisher, Mexican Ducks, and several species of Herons and Egrets have visited them on occasion!
 
To learn more about our ongoing efforts visit Ecological Restoration at our Nature Sanctuary
 

PLANTING NATIVE TREES

Tree choices, benefits to wildlife

OUR TREE CHOICES & BENEFITS TO WILDLIFE

 
 
SPECIES EVERGREEN FRUIT NECTAR/SAP SEEDS/NUTS SHELTER
ARIZONA CYPRESS
(Cupressus arizonica)		 X     X X
ARIZONA WALNUT
(Juglans major)		     X X X
EMORY OAK
(Quercus emoryii)		 X   X X X
VELVET ASH
(Fraxinus velutina)		     X X X
ARIZONA ROSEWOOD
(Vaquelinia californica)		 X   X X X
EVERGREEN SUMACH
(Rhus choriophylla)		 X X X X X
FREMONT COTTONWOOD
(Populus fremontii)		     X   X
DESERT WILLOW
(Chilopsis linearis)		     X X X
YELLOW TRUMPET
(Tecoma stans)		     X X X
MEXICAN ELDERBERRY
(Sambucus mexicana)		   X X   X
NETLEAF HACKBERRY
(Celtis reticulata)		   X X   X
ARIZONA SYCAMORE
(Platanus wrightii)		     X X X
Medium Arizona Rosewood Large Arizona Rosewood
Medium Velvet Ash Medium Arizona Cypress

Top row: Medium Arizona Rosewood | Large AZ Rosewood
Bottom row: Medium Velvet Ash | Medium Arizona Cypress