The team performed site inventory and analysis to map areas most suited for preservation, restoration, or development. A stakeholder charrette and workshop provided further insight into the mission of the Preserve. As a result, a plan was developed around three key activities: enter, gather, and explore. The plan accommodates the needs of the IRLT while also protecting the sensitive ecosystems on-site by preserving and restoring the land, defining edges, providing space for research and education initiatives, and creating opportunities for users to engage with the site.
To lessen impact, existing roads will be re-purposed as trails and a canopy walk will float above the existing landscape to offer a unique perspective. Educational signage helps visitors better understand their surroundings. Accessible drop-in areas for paddle craft allow visitors to explore the site from the existing streams and waterways. A multi-functional structure will become a facility for existing education and research programs. The building is located in an already disturbed area to reduce impact and includes rainwater reuse systems, a solar panel roof, and composting waste facilities. The surrounding area will become an outdoor classroom with restored native plantings.