Local Backyard Nature Preserve Seeks to Inspire and Educate
February 2025
Tucked away down a gravel road in West Vincent Township is the Backyard Nature Preserve — a hidden gem of ecological wonder created by Donna Delany, her husband Dave, and a host of seasonal interns. While working as Stewardship Coordinator at the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Delany realized how many homeowners had a real desire to better understand how nature works and to learn to steward their property to maximize ecological benefits. She also heard concerns from homeowners about the aesthetics of naturalistic landscapes — many homeowners perceived them as "messy". Over the years, she sought to transform her 16-acre property into a demonstration for every kind of ecological home and landscape feature possible and invited the landowners she worked with to visit. Some of the many features the Delanys have created include:
- Native, ecologically-beneficial gardens for any growing condition
- Pollinator gardens
- Lawn-to-meadow conversion demonstrations
- Creative ways to reduce the size of your lawn
- Organic Companion planting for vegetable & fruit gardens
- Composting
- Deer exclosures for thriving native woodlands
- Bird habitat
- Solar panels, electric car and lawn equipment
- Reducing household chemicals and single use anything
- Native plant nursery
The mission of the Backyard Nature Preserve is to share this knowledge with anyone interested and to help teach and support people to transition their yards, homes, and lifestyles to become more environmentally sustainable. The Delanys regularly host individuals, families, and groups, offering tours and programs to help inform the community. If you or your organization is interested in learning more or setting up a visit, visit the website.