Hellen Creek Wildlife Preserve

Located on the upper reaches of Hellen Creek in Lusby, the Hellen Creek Wildlife Preserve includes marshes, forests, streams and deep ravines. Together with the recently acquired The Nature Conservancy Hemlock Preserve the HCWP includes nearly 200 acres of the watershed under permanent easement. Our offices are located on the Preserve and our local Director is responsible for the upkeep and monitoring of it.

The focus of activities on the Preserve is to support biodiversity. Steps taken to further that goal include seasonal deer hunting to reduce the overabundance of that species. The understory of the forest is severely depleted by their grazing activities. As part of our habitat restoration effort we have regular invasive removal workdays and efforts to restore native species through plantings. We have healthy population white turtleheads along the streambed “garden” which includes other wildflowers and wetland shrubs.

The Forest Stewardship Plan for all properties within the Hellen Creek Wildlife Preserve is being implemented.  Identification of invasive species and plans for their removal are a top priority.