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Spectacular in its own right, the Edward H. McCabe Preserve features a wide range of habitats, plants and animals within a relatively small pocket of the Delmarva Peninsula. While a roadside parking area provides access to hiking trails located on the preserve, arriving by canoe is the way to go for adventurous visitors. From two miles away in the historic town of Milton, explorers can put in their canoes and meander down the Broadkill River before heading ashore. Whether arriving by land or by river, visitors have the opportunity to really escape into a natural environment that gives true meaning to the word “preserve.”
The McCabe Preserve is a place a slow and steady approach has yielded long-term returns for the Conservancy. Prior to ownership, material dredged from the river channel was deposited in a five-acre clearing located on the preserve. In 1996, Conservancy staff and volunteers planted this field with more than 2,000 native tree seedlings, including red and white oaks, green ash and black gum. Larger black cherry trees, indicative of earlier habitats, can be found near the center. Today, the emerging forest buffers sensitive wetland habitat from pollution and has begun welcoming an array of migratory songbirds.
Size: 143 acres
Location: Sussex County, near Milton
What’s At Stake
A wide range of Delaware's ecosystems, including tidal marshes, upland forests and Atlantic white cedar swamp. Marshes and wetlands provide important habitat for a number of rare and biologically important plants, including: Bluejoint, River bulrush, Seaside alder, Red maple, Sweet pepperbush, Spatterdock, Sweet flag, Swamp rose, Tulip poplar and White cedar. The diverse landscape also supports more than 100 species of migratory and nesting birds including waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. The highlight of the avian year is the passage of migratory songbirds on their way north in the spring.
Threats
While virtually all of the upland forests on the Delmarva Peninsula have been altered by repeated logging, the Conservancy's stewardship of this property is allowing the young woods on the preserve to naturally grow into mature forest.
Milestones
Donated to the Conservancy in 1993 by Constance P. McCabe, who wished the property to be maintained in its natural state in perpetuity as a memorial to her late husband and grandson.
Action
The Conservancy manages the preserve as a natural area, allowing controlled public use. Reforestation efforts over the years have improved habitat for many migratory songbirds and buffered sensitive wetlands from runoff.
Nature picture credits (left to right): Photo © Sara Kaplaniak; © Sara Kaplaniak
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