Conservation

Conservation at Bluestem

We practice a reverence for land. Our aesthetic is measured through values of integrity, utility, simplicity and sustainability. The absence of extraneous decoration signifies our reverence for nature's beauty in its present form. From the moment we step onto the property, we are conscious of our human impact. Decisions about “improvements” to Bluestem are made wholistically through the lens of what’s sustainably possible, for people, for the soils, for water quality, for the flora and fauna, and for the community.

Conservation cemeteries bury at much lighter densities than conventional cemeteries and prioritize the conservation values of the land. For every planned gravesite, we consider the impact of digging the grave on the soils, on root systems, on the water quality, on wildlife.

The size of burial plots in conservation cemeteries are also different from conventional cemeteries. They are much larger for the purpose of protecting nature. Natural burial plots at Bluestem measure 20 x 15 feet. Ash burial plots measure 5 x 5 feet. For information on pricing, please see Burial Costs.

Our Strategies

Connecting people with land through community conservation
Providing a publicly accessible nature preserve with 2-3 miles of trails and quiet sitting areas
Recreating grassland habitat on 30 acres with native wildflowers and grasses
Enhancing wildlife habitat
Managing the grasslands with prescribed fire
Placing erosion controls to support stormwater management
Installing water quality buffers on 3,500 feet of stream frontage
Supporting climate resiliency with pollinator habitat and native grass root systems that store carbon
Restoring old Oak and Hickory forest habitats
Protecting an iconic Piedmont landscape
Empowering families with the transformational practice of green burial