Research & Activities

The Baliles Center strives to engage the community-at-large by offering activities and workshops designed to express the interdisciplinary necessity for sustained conservation and land management.

A few examples of workshops and activities offered at the Baliles Center include such topics as: "Living Shoreline," native plant walks, and birding.

Living Shoreline

Living shorelines are an ecologically-minded alternative to traditional shoreline alterations, such as bulkheads, revetment and concrete seawalls. Living shorelines utilize sills to contain sand beds, in which native marsh grasses are planted to stabilize the shore, absorb storm surges and create habitat for estuarine species. Workshops will discuss the benefits, planning and methods of living shoreline implementation for interested community members.

Native Plant Identification Walks

The diverse habitats at the Baliles Center provide a unique opportunity to explore several different ecological communities. With the goal of hands-on engagement, exploratory walks can be catered to the academic or interest level of the group. The walk could range from a simple, pleasant, observatory stroll through the woods to a rigorous scientific sampling of species counts and biodiversity. 

A trail planted in native plant species has been developed in the copse of trees between the Big House and the Garagemahal. Plants are identified along the short trail, which offers a space for appreciating the natural beauty of the Baliles Center.