Managing the land to protect and conserve endemic wildlife species is our primary objective, and there are a number of ongoing activities that promote this goal.  For more than fifteen years there has been a program to restore to its original state the prairie and oak savanna that were once common in this area.  Many species of mammals, birds, and insects were adapted to this type of terrain and have declined dramatically as their native habitat was replaced by agricultural and urban development.  More than a thousand hours of volunteer work have been applied to seed gathering, tilling, planting, watering, and shielding seedling oaks and indigenous prairie plants.

The combination of habitats on the property make it an ideal home for many bird species, from owls and other raptors to aquatic fowl and (in 2007) the uncommon western bluebird.  Erecting bird boxes and fostering vegetation to provide food and cover encourages the growth of bird populations on the property.

The wetland, covering about half of the Preserve, encompasses a large pond and several open channels.  Both migrating and resident birds use the wetland, which changes configuration regularly because of beaver dam building.  Other mammals live here or make foraging visits, including deer, coyote, bobcat, rabbits, and a variety of rodents.  Cougar, bear, and elk are more infrequent visitors, but are present in the area.

Additionally, the Preserve's excellent avian habitat makes it a prime monitoring site for the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) Program.