Wildlife Fund

A fairly new Specific Purpose Fund to Asbury Methodist Village, contributions to the Wildlife Fund have come mostly through the sale of AMV Wildlife Calendars created and sold by the Wildlife Council.  Past donations have been used to purchase plants, gardening supplies, bird feeders and seed, etc.

Anita Taylor and Lydia Page are resident co-chairs of the Wildlife Habitat Steering Group, which is comprised of 10 residents and associates. Including these group members, there are more than 50 individuals involved in Wildlife Plan Projects in some way, from attending educational activities to monitoring bird nests to reducing the impact of the English ivy and other invasive species that damage trees on campus.

The purpose of the campus group and specific purpose fund is not necessarily introducing new wildlife into the community; it’s to identify and protect the plants and animals that are already at Asbury Methodist Village. It’s learning to coexist.

The group has planted a pollinator garden of native flower species that attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It is managing the forested areas on campus to balance mowed areas with natural habitat for the small mammals and insects that support bird life. It has installed 10 bluebird houses and plans to add houses for purple martins and screech owls.