The Future of PAWS

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Many people are familiar with Possumwood Acres Wildlife Sanctuary for serving the needs of wildlife in Onslow County.  However, people may not be aware of the work we perform in our role as environmental educators.  Our sanctuary serves as a living outdoor classroom for programs and presentations given throughout the year that impacts students of all ages in Onslow and surrounding counties.

This fall Possumwood Acres is looking to correct a serious erosion problem centered on the pond at the sanctuary entrance.  The pond was initially constructed with poorly graded sides which have gradually worsened over the years, to the point that corrective action must be taken immediately.  The heavy rains this spring and the summer drought have contributed to a loss of the bank that runs along the only driveway into the sanctuary grounds.  We are concerned that there is no longer enough of a safe shoulder distanced between the driveway edge and the pond slope.

In order to protect and enhance the pond and surrounding wetland areas, we are in the process of contacting erosion control specialists for plan designs and estimates.  Our goal is to repair the damages while preserving the natural wildlife habitats that comprise these areas for both our rehabilitated patients plus the native wildlife that call this area home.  We are exploring grant options for funding for these restoration projects.

This pond habitat serves as the residence for most of our released waterfowl patients.  Many species of wild ducks and geese fly into the area annually to winter over and remain to stay and raise their families here.  The local county Animal Control Officers routinely drop off abandoned pets or orphaned ducks and geese that need to be relocated.  Various egrets, herons, and other shorebirds utilize the pond as a source of food and cover throughout the year.  Songbirds, raptors, and small mammals that we have successfully rehabilitated are released near the pond and nearby forest.  Man-made and natural shelters are provided to encourage these animals and birds to stay in the vicinity.  Larger wildlife creatures utilize the pond and wetlands as their habitats and water source, as indicated by their tracks every morning. 

The summer drought this year contributed to low oxygen quality that resulted in a massive fish die-off.  The fish-die off affected the shorebirds and wildlife and removed an important source of food for them.  A properly functioning storm water management system would not only prevent these issues and repair the existing damages, but serve to filter road pollutants from entering the wetland ecosystems.  It would also help control surface algae, help maintain clear water, and discourage the buildup of bottom sediments, all of which are necessary for a healthy pond ecosystem.  

Possumwood Acres gives wildlife programs throughout the year to school children.  One of our target audiences in particular are the young students in elementary and middle schools.  Research statistics indicate that female students in particular often avoid science classes.  Our goal is to increase their appreciation for the earth sciences by having students participate in outdoor classroom exercises centered on the pond and its environment, and the fauna and flora located there.  Hands-on activities are part of our programs, and the students are able to interact with our resident animals and birds.  Our goal is to generate student interest and possibly a desire for future careers in the veterinary medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, biology, zoology, and environmental conservation.

We are looking into ways to prevent further erosion by realignment of the pond banks while maintaining a natural look as well as improving the pond aeration system.  Some of the possibilities we are considering include the following:

a.    Incorporate environmentally friendly structures such as woven geo-textile products, straw silt fences, and coir rolls with brush layering to stop bank destruction.

b.   Shore up collapsing bank sections located under the large oak tree and smaller trees on the island in order to save them.

c.    Level and extend the shoulder of the driveway up to the pond edge by utilizing riprap, fill dirt, and erosion soil blankets.

d.   Re-vegetate the shore line by planting native grasses and drought resistant shrubbery above the wall to slow down rain run-off.

e.    Re-sod above the pond and cover the exposed soil areas.

f.      Add plants to the existing nearby rain garden to continue filtering water run-off invading the wetlands.

g.    Follow recommendations currently being drawn up for us by Dr. Lexia M. Weaver, Coastal Restoration Specialist for the NC Coastal Federation in Newport, NC.  Dr. Weaver is an expert in native plants and will recommend the different types of trees and shrubs that would be needed.

h.   Work with local nurseries that would be able to provide the specific plants required.

i.      Install a floating fountain to provide a continuous flow of oxygenated water and provide electrical power out to the pond area.

Possumwood Acres hopes to work with members of the Onslow County caring community.  Our friends, neighbors, and supporters have helped us throughout the years since we first opened in 2004.  We would like to invite everyone interested in helping us with this erosion project to contact us on our website at www.possumwoodacres.org or by email at PossumwoodAcres@ec.rr.com.  Let us know how you think you may be able to help and what suggestions you may have.  Tell us if you know where we can get any of the supplies we will need, and companies we can contact for donations and discounts.

Many of our past projects have been completed with the manpower supplied by the Marines and Navy Corpsmen, and we hope they will be willing to come to our rescue again when we reach that stage.

Possumwood Acres Wildlife serves the Onslow County communities in many ways, and we look forward to having your assistance in reaching our goals for the sake of all the students, animals, and birds we help.

Toni O’Neil, Director