A RiverWoods Manchester Winter Tradition with a Purpose

Just beyond our community in Manchester lies the beautiful Cedar Swamp Preserve, a peaceful pond and woodland habitat that serves as a sanctuary for wildlife. The preserve is part of the Cedar Swamp Nature Conservancy, which sits adjacent to our campus and reflects a shared commitment to stewardship between residents and the broader community.

Each year, once the ice is strong enough, a small team of volunteers heads out onto the frozen pond to tend to the wood duck boxes. These nesting boxes play a critical role in supporting wood duck populations, which were once on the brink of extinction at the turn of the 19th century. Thanks to careful wildlife management and conservation efforts like these, their numbers are now stronger than ever.

Volunteers carefully clean out the previous season’s nesting material, examining contents like signs of successful hatchings, unhatched eggs, or other clues left behind. It’s fascinating work that blends science, stewardship, and a little bit of storytelling.

The boxes are then refreshed for the upcoming season with clean wood shavings, repaired ladders, reinforced roofing materials, and even a simple but effective trick: a light layer of bar soap on the interior to help deter wasps from nesting. By April, when the “Woodies” return, everything will be ready for them – talk about a warm welcome!

Trail cameras allow RiverWoods Manchester residents the opportunity to follow along at home. The footage offers a remarkable window into the life cycle of these striking birds and allows the community to witness firsthand the success of their efforts.

Sustainability in Action
Sustainability is a RiverWoods core value. Caring for the land, preserving natural habitats, and fostering environmental stewardship are part of who we are as an organization. Our proximity to the preserve gives us a daily reminder that thoughtful management today ensures thriving ecosystems tomorrow.

The annual duck box maintenance is a perfect example of that commitment in action. It reflects a belief that small, consistent efforts — from maintaining trails to protecting nesting habitats — make a lasting difference. By working together with neighbors and local conservation partners, our residents help ensure that the Cedar Swamp Preserve remains a vibrant habitat for generations to come.

So grab your binoculars and come along. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or simply someone who enjoys a peaceful walk by the pond, there’s always something unfolding at Cedar Swamp.