The preserve will be private and usage practices will change, but Balsam Mountain Preserve, like Spring Island is dedicated to sharing this valuable resource in a format that is manageable. School groups and private groups will be encouraged to schedule time to explore the preserve with a naturalist. According to Marsh, the golf course at Spring Island exceeds all Audubon guidelines and is part of the National Audubon program. Active wildlife management practices will be employed. There may be some forest thinning to enhance tree growth and some early successional habitat will be maintained.
Many developers say they're environmentally sensitive.
Marsh said they have been doing breeding bird surveys since development began on Spring Island eight years ago, and they have not lost a single breeding species. There is also a healthy population of alligators, bobcats, snakes and other animals on the island. People will be able to look at the records from Balsam Mountain Preserve in five years and they will know that it is an environmentally sensitive project, he said. It will all be documented.