Longleaf Animal Sanctuary
Watershed is working alongside founder Elizabeth Oney to construct three intentional buildings that will further the mission of Longleaf Animal Sanctuary.
Founded in 2021 as a place of respite along the northeastern shore of Mobile Bay, the Longleaf Animal Sanctuary is surrounded by the native longleaf pine forests of Spanish Fort, Alabama. Already home to some of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, this expansive 400-acre pocket of land has also become a haven for rescued farm animals and the team that rehabilitates them.
Longleaf Animal Sanctuary provides hands-on experiences that build deep connections with both plants and animals. Envisioned as a peaceful place that strengthens our relationship with nature, approximately 78 acres of pastures and wooded areas host rehabilitated cows, goats, sheep, turkeys, pigs, donkeys, and horses.
To support the sanctuary’s outreach opportunities, Watershed has developed three facilities: an Education Pavilion, a Wellness Center, and a Farm Stand that includes greenhouses, fruit trees, and a working garden. From structures large and small to the courtyards and pathways in between, we prioritize smart construction practices and resource efficiency.
Inside, materials and finishing choices will evoke the facility’s natural surroundings.
An important pillar of the sanctuary’s vision will be brought to life with the Education Pavilion. More than a welcome center, visitors and tour groups will attend film screenings and learn firsthand about sustainable and cruelty-free food systems, the importance of composting, and the benefits of plant-based eating.
In the Teaching Kitchen, cooking classes will be focused entirely on plant-based recipes using fruit, vegetables, herbs, and potatoes harvested from the nearby trees and gardens. In this joyful, welcoming space, participants will gain knowledge and inspiration to continue making wholesome, meatless meals at home.
In addition to providing rehabilitation for rescued farm animals, a new Wellness Center will be a serene space for yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and holistic healing. These facilities and surrounding grounds will be available for community classes, events, and activities around mindfulness, compassion-building, and restoration.
The landscape and sitework surrounding the new buildings will be designed in line with Longleaf and Watershed's shared spirit of responsibility and respect for the environment. Effective reuse and management of stormwater has been thoroughly considered for the various sites and structures to alleviate runoff, erosion, and sedimentation:
Runoff from the circular drive will feed into a central landscaped area.
Intentionally selected fruit trees and edible shrubs will be landscaped into keyline swales and nourished by rainwater collected from roof runoff.
Gardens and enhanced spring areas will provide habitats for wildlife, including insects and pollinators. These natural areas will capture and filtrate most of the runoff from buildings and parking areas fed by dry creek-bed swales.
Pervious walkways and parking areas welcome visitors while also absorbing and filtering stormwater.
Throughout planning and construction phases, 30’ buffer zones will be maintained around all wetlands and streams. And to ensure minimal impact on mature trees and vegetation, building locations will respect established tree-preservation zones and strict limits of disturbance.
Longleaf’s compassionate caretakers, rescued residents, and inspired facilities will all together create an inviting and unique farm-meets-retreat atmosphere. Guests will feel nurtured, leaving with a renewed sense of hope, respect, and reconnection to the natural world.
“By strengthening our compassion, we give fuel to our courage and determination. By inviting in these experiences of interconnectedness, we can enhance our sense of belonging to our world.”
Project type: New construction
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Take a closer look at the site plan:
“Longleaf pine forests once encompassed more than 90 million acres across the Southeast, stretching from eastern Texas to southern Virginia. These forests represent some of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems and are home to nearly 600 plant and animal species, including 29 threatened and endangered species. But over the past two centuries, development, timbering and fire suppression reduced the ecosystem’s range by almost 97 percent. Since 2010, NRCS has helped producers restore more than 870,000 acres on private lands. Together with other conservation efforts, the amount of longleaf pine forests has grown from approximately 3 million acres to nearly 5 million acres during this time, reversing a century-long decline across the region.” SOURCE: Longleaf Pine Initiative (LLPI) in Alabama, Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDASimilar Projects:
