Coverdale Farm
Regenerative Agriculture : From Planning to Action
Delaware Nature Society ’ s commitment to preserving outstanding natural areas , open space , and farmland preservation has been a primary focus of the organization since its inception . From the identification of important lands worthy of protection in our 1978 publication , “ Delaware ’ s Outstanding Natural Areas and their Preservation ,” to proactively working with private landowners on conservation easements in Red Clay Valley , our commitment to preservation of land continues through the expansion of Coverdale Farm Preserve .
Coverdale Farm Preserve is the largest contiguous land holding Delaware Nature Society owns statewide and includes many unique landscape types – woodlands , meadows , wetlands , and farmland – an exceptionally diverse ecosystem that is available for study and personal learning . Over half the acreage is dedicated as a nature preserve , the highest conservation and preservation protections available . These lands are managed for biodiversity ( Long-eared Owls , Barred Owls , Red-tailed Hawks , American Kestrels , and over 231 identified bird species nest and migrate through Coverdale ) and watershed stewardship ( Burrows Run , a tributary of the Red Clay Creek Watershed runs through the Preserve ).
Coverdale ’ s history in agriculture dates to a William Penn land grant in 1699 known as Letitia Manor . It was farmed by the same family for six generations until it was purchased by the Greenewalt family in 1938 . For the last three decades , Delaware Nature Society has contributed to the land management of the natural areas and , in 1998 , it was donated to our organization .
In 2016 , we completed the fundraising to purchase and preserve a contiguous parcel to Coverdale Farm Preserve , Genevieve Estes du Pont Tract . This 4-acre parcel of land has environmental significance for many reasons , including its connection point to an open pasture and preserved wooded buffer along Burrows Run , a tributary of the Red Clay Creek , a region of mature woodlands and floodplain meadows known for its abundant birdlife , butterflies , and wildflowers . This preservation was made possible by many generous individual donors and private foundations including Mt . Cuba Foundation , The Allerton Foundation , Crestlea Foundation , Marmot Foundation , Marshall Reynolds Foundation , Stratus Foundation , and FairPlay Foundation .
In 2017 , we received a generous donation of another contiguous parcel of land , 21.5 acres , to Coverdale Farm Preserve . This generous gift of land from the Frederick family is known for its spring ephemeral wildflowers and woodlands and is also a part of Burrows Run , a pristine tributary of Red Clay Creek . These two land preservation efforts have expanded Coverdale Farm Preserve to 377 acres , but more importantly , will provide additional opportunities for conservation land management techniques intended to preserve water quality and improve biodiversity .
Coverdale Farm Master Plan
Delaware Nature Society has long recognized that how we grow food can have a profound impact on the environment . In 2016 , we embarked on a comprehensive master planning process for Coverdale Farm Preserve . Completed in 2017 , the Coverdale Master Plan concluded that sustainable farming practices were simply not enough ; Coverdale Farm Preserve should lead our agricultural production to more ecologically and socially regenerative practices that have a positive impact on the community and the environment . Our work has begun with a vision to turn Coverdale ’ s stunning landscape into a viable model
Most photography for this article by Ashley Harrell , DNS Coverdale Education Coordinator .
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