Georgia Audubon Completes Habitat Restoration Work at Little Creek Horse Farm

by Dottie Head, Director of Communications

Georgia Audubon recently completed habitat restoration work at the Little Creek Horse Farm and Park, in DeKalb County, as part of a 2019 Habitat Restoration Grant. Over the past two years, Georgia Audubon has worked with the Little Creek Farm Conservancy to restore a creek bank and create a bird- and wildlife-friendly habitat in an under-utilized meadow area along the South Fork of Peachtree Creek in the north-central portion of the park. The restoration area has also been certified as a Georgia Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary.

Located at 2057 Lawrenceville Highway in Decatur, the Little Creek Horse Farm and Park is a 40-acre site that encompasses an equestrian facility and greenspace for local residents to enjoy. The South Fork of Peachtree Creek traverses the property from its east to the west borders. The property was designated as a DeKalb County park in 2004 and is one of the last remaining horse stables inside the Atlanta perimeter.

“Georgia Audubon was pleased to work with the Little Creek Farm Conservancy to make the farm a better place for birds and wildlife,” says Gabe Andrle, Habitat Conservation Program Manager. “By removing non-native invasive species and replacing them a variety of native grassland plants, we were able to convert an old paddock into a native meadow that complements the open areas of the horse farm and provides important habitat for many grassland species that are threatened due to habitat loss and alteration. The Conservancy is actively building upon this restoration work in other areas of the park and will continue work to make habitat improvements.”

Georgia Audubon removed invasive plants along the creek bank and meadow and installed a variety of native meadow plants, including cutleaf coneflower, broom sedge, false indigo, black-eyed Susan, and other species. Georgia Audubon and Little Creek Farm Conservancy have also been monitoring bird species abundance monitoring and offering community outreach programs.
 
“We are grateful for the support and opportunity to work with Georgia Audubon on the habitat restoration grant,” says Bobbi Woolwine, outreach chair for the Little Creek Farm Conservancy. “Gabe and Walter spearheaded an educational and fun experience for our volunteers. We look forward to continuing our partnership protecting the park greenspace from invasive, non-equine friendly plants and scheduling guided bird walks for the community.”

About Georgia Audubon: Georgia Audubon is building places where birds and people thrive. We create bird-friendly communities through conservation, education, and community engagement.
 
About the Little Creek Farm Conservancy: Formed in 2007, the Little Creek Farm Conservancy partners with DeKalb County to provide stewardship of the park and to offer educational, environmental, and recreational outreach programs and events for the public. DeKalb County Parks and Recreation offers operational support, maintains facilities, and provides land upkeep. They are also responsible for animal care.