Sarver Ecological is currently restoring 83 acres of coastal plain seasonal ponds (CPSPs) and contiguous tracts of forest at the Taylors Bridge Land Complex in New Castle County, Delaware, building on recent land conservation and restoration success, including the Phase 1 project funded by DWCF. The restoration land includes 45 acres at the Dickinson Farm property and 34 acres at the Passmore...
Sarver Ecological is conducting an ongoing biodiversity assessment at Chanticleer, a renowned public garden including 35 acres of diverse and intimate plantings, including remnant natural forest habitat and a mix of native and non-native ornamental plants. While also documenting birds and herpetofauna, the assessment has focused on insect diversity, including native bees, moths and butterflies,...
Between 2018 and 2019, Sarver Ecological conducted an exhaustive baseline native bee survey in the gardens and extensive natural areas at Mt. Cuba Center. The survey included passive sampling as well as targeted collecting from over 95 different plant species. We documented 135 species, including 15 species not previously known to occur in Delaware, as well as several significant range...
The Christina-Brandywine River Remediation Restoration Resilience (CBR4) project is a cooperative initiative to address legacy toxic contamination, restore the native ecology and prepare for the changing climate as well as other threats to river health in the lower Christina River and tidal Brandywine River. Partners for the CBR4 project include American Rivers, BrightFields, Inc., Christina...
Sarver Ecological, LLC conducted bird, amphibian and reptile, insect, and vegetation surveys and created a comprehensive and detailed GIS mapping project for over 4,500 acres of the Client’s lands spanning the tidal marsh to upland ecotone. We are developing a georeferenced and prioritized long-term management and restoration plan for the Complex. Restoration goals will account for sea level...
Sarver Ecological was the lead for this project on selecting, designing and installing native plantings for this highly visited Demonstration Project, working with partners from EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., DNREC Site Investigation and Remediation Section, and the University of Delaware. Sarver Ecological developed seed mixes, specified plant material, and continues to lead...
Working with an interdisciplinary consulting team and representatives from multiple state agency sections over the course of two years, Sarver Ecological helped the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife complete a major ten-year revision of the state’s Wildlife Action Plan, the comprehensive strategy for conserving species and habitats throughout the state. Sarver Ecological organized and...
Over the course of two field seasons, Sarver Ecological conducted a complete floristic and habitat assessment of a 2,050+ acre privately owned conservation property on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Bird, invertebrate, reptile and amphibian surveys rounded out the project, during which we documented over 100 species of conservation concern. Extensive photo and video documentation of the natural...
Sarver Ecological conducted breeding bird survey “blockbusting” in numerous atlas blocks in all three Delaware counties for the final field season of Delaware’s 2nd Breeding Bird Atlas project. These surveys focused on difficult to reach sites and targeted expected but previously undocumented bird species for each block. 15 species of special interest (SSI) were documented.
In his volunteer role as the Conservation Chair for the Delmarva Ornithological Society, Sarver Ecological Principal Matthew Sarver served on Delaware’s Ecological Extinction Task Force. The task force was convened by Senator Stephanie Hansen to address the rapid decline of many species in the state and included representatives from business stakeholder groups such as the Home Builders...