First Look: Westmoreland Nature Preserve

Things have been hectic in RL, particularly with work.  Been putting in overtime and dealing with other stresses that have kept me offline a lot.

So, it was not until recently that I’ve had a ton of time to spend in world.  What time I have spent there has been spent working on building a Nature Preserve on the Northern Island of Caledon Westmoreland.

Back in November, the ladies who had previously owned Westmoreland, and from whom I had been renting my little cottage sanctuary, decided it was necessary for them to give up ownership of the region.  Rather than move, I told the Guvnah I would be happy to take on the tier for the entire Westmoreland region.  To anyone not familiar with our attachments to SL, this may sound crazy, but Westmoreland speaks to me in the same way Los Angeles, Boston, and the Rocky Mountains speak to me in RL.  When I was first given the opportunity to rent land there, I knew it was where I was supposed to be.  And so, there I stay.

But, let’s be honest, I haven’t been able to be in world enough to make an honest attempt at renting the Northern Island, even though I would be able to as a Duchy.  Instead, I asked if I might build a Nature Preserve there.

The Deer Forage for Survival at the Westmoreland Nature Preserve

For the winter, I’ve built it as a woodland forest.  Most everything is purchased and built by someone else.  But, as I continue to learn how to do more and more of it on my own, I’ll be slowly replacing trees and landscaping with that of my own creation.  (Although, I may keep the animals as is.)  Each season, I’d like to create some sort of appropriate recreation as well.  There’s an open area with benches and currently ice skating, that may be replaced with a small pool or pond.

Open Space for visitors to relax, enjoy a picnic, maybe skate

I’m looking to do two things with the space, essentially:

1 – Provide a quiet, pretty space for residents of both communities (Caledon and neighboring Atlantis Rising) to enjoy.

2 – Create a repository for information on real world conservation work, as well as literary and artistic efforts influenced by the conservation movements of the 1800s, perhaps do something in conjunction with the Caledon Library and Muir’s work.

It will likely be a constant work in progress as new and rare plants and animals are brought in.

It’s not quite ready for the public, still some work to be done, seating scripts to tweak, landscaping to adjust, and an official plaque to put out.  But, it’s nearly there.

Plaque to Welcome visitors to the Preserve