Steward the Land
Healthy landscapes are created by communities that care.
Pearl Forge invites people of all ages and experience levels to participate in the ongoing stewardship of this special place.
Whether restoring native habitat, planting trees, collecting seed, removing invasive species, or assisting with agricultural stewardship projects, volunteers play an important role in caring for the land.
A Working Conservation Landscape: Exploring the Intersection
Pearl Forge encompasses more than 80 acres of protected farmland, prairie, woodland, and wetland in the Town of Genesee.
Many landscapes are managed either for agriculture or for conservation. Pearl Forge is exploring what happens when those goals are pursued together.
We believe productive farmland, healthy ecosystems, and thriving communities can coexist when managed with care, curiosity, and a long-term perspective. We are particularly interested in demonstrating approaches that integrate habitat restoration, grazing, soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and local food production into a single working landscape.
Protected through a conservation easement, Pearl Forge is being stewarded as a working landscape where ecological restoration, food production, wildlife habitat, and community connection all contribute to the health of the whole. While we do not claim to have all the answers, we believe places like Pearl Forge can serve as living laboratories where new ideas are tested, shared, and improved over time.
Stewardship is a Community Effort
Caring for the land is not something we do alone. We believe the best way to build lasting connections to the land is by caring for it together.
Throughout the year, Pearl Forge will host volunteer stewardship days that bring neighbors, families, students, and community members together to restore habitat, improve ecological health, and learn through hands-on experience.
Volunteer activities may include:
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Prairie and woodland restoration
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Native seed collection and planting
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Invasive species management
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Habitat enhancement projects
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Agricultural stewardship activities
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Seasonal land management projects
Every season offers new opportunities to learn while making a lasting difference. Whether you are interested in learning new skills, contributing to conservation efforts, or simply spending time outdoors alongside others who care about the land, we welcome your participation. No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn and contribute
Why Stewardship Matters
Stewardship is about more than improving a landscape.
It is an opportunity to build relationships, develop new skills, spend time outdoors, and become part of a community that shares responsibility for the places we love.
As Pearl Forge grows, we hope stewardship becomes one of the primary ways people develop a lasting connection to this place.