As with many private ranches in the region, Eagles Nest Preserve was once part of a larger livestock ranching system; so we are in the process of converting pastures and rangeland to wildlife habitat. Exotic grasses used in improved pastures for grazing and hay production are not desirable for sustaining wildlife production. Replacing these exotics or forage crops with native grasses, forbs and seed producers will greatly improve our habitat potential. However, established pasture turf is a key factor in soil erosion control on sloped terrain around our lakes, so we don’t want to lose surface stability while we replace the vegetation. This is being accomplished by seeding “conservation tillage” strips within established pasture sod.

Because of the unique associated occurrence of all three general ecosystems (Wetlands, Riparin and Uplands), Eagles Nest Preserve supports great bio-diversity and enriched wildlife populations.