Over the next few years, Birds Georgia and the Central Savannah River Land Trust (CSRLT) will transform pasture fields in Evans, Georgia into a nature and wildlife preserve! The 344 acre property land, called “Laverlea Preserve” is located off Blanchard Road and was once a cattle farm owned by Laverne Dorn, who bequeathed the land in her will.
Along with local partners like the Augusta-Aiken Audubon, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Birds Georgia, the CSRLT will take on the incredible task of turning Laverlea into a thriving nature and wildlife preserve. This work is being funded by the Cornell Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative. Initially, they will focus on 11 acres, removing non-native plant species and replacing them with native species to attract native birds. Heather Levy, stewardship coordinator for Birds Georgia, explains, “We are going to bring it back to its natural state and then continually manage it as a native grassland.”
The project aims to create habitats for declining species such as the Grasshopper Sparrow, Grassland Swallows, Southeastern American Kestrels, Vesper Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlark, and other grassland dependent species who are experiencing habitat loss due to human encroachment. Additionally, the restoration will attract insect pollinators such as butterflies (our favorite!!) and bumblebees.
And that’s where the Butterfly Monarchy Club comes in! We are also partnering with Birds Georgia and the CRSLT to establish a baseline of the current butterfly population, determining how to best support them through planting efforts, and continuing to monitor their presence.
On Monday, Pat Dunlop, Susan Potter, and Tammy Cillo made their first trip to Laverlea, joining volunteers and the land trust to walk the property and assess the number of butterflies. This is our first step, and we are incredibly proud to participate and support this fantastic initiative!
Stay tuned for updates on our journey to restore Laverlea to its natural beauty and support our precious wildlife.
The Butterfly Monarchy Club 