When Whitemarsh Township , Montgomery County , purchased the 23-acre Gambone Property , they recognized the value in preserving this wooded tract — which includes nearly 800 feet of Spring Mill Creek — as part of their stormwater management program . Plus , the property ’ s location directly adjacent to an existing , active Township park offered the opportunity to connect residents to nature close to home .

There was just one problem : with miles of invasive vines , herds of hungry deer , many meadows to mow , and severe stream erosion , the Township wasn ’ t sure how to tackle the land ’ s recovery . So Natural Lands created a comprehensive “ Stewardship Plan ” to make a daunting project manageable .

The Stewardship Plan offers a plan of attack for their restoration and management efforts , including :

The Township has wasted no time in implementing the Plan . Thus far , they ’ ve cleared invasives , held volunteer clean-ups , and planted a meadow area . Blomstrom also credited Natural Lands ’ staff with working side-by-side with the township to create a priorities and implementation schedule that has a fiscally responsible budget and achievable goals .

“ Whitemarsh Township is eager to continue to foster these best practices throughout our parks system .” W

W How to identify invasive plants and which are most important to remove

W A cost-saving plan for maintaining and expanding meadows to improve wildlife habitat

W A trail system layout that will allow for passive recreation and environmental education

Said Thomas J . Blomstrom , Whitemarsh Township ’ s director of Parks and Recreation , “ The Stewardship Plan Natural Lands prepared for us will assist us in transforming the Gambone Property .”