Its second-growth forest land and restored tallgrass prairie are managed so as to maximize the diversity of the urban wildlife that visits the property.

Adams purchased the house and a surrounding 28-acre (0.11 km2) parcel of property, the ancestor of today's Sanctuary, in 1869.

The Society implemented a capital program to expand and renovate Adams's historic house as a headquarters and meeting center in 2008.

As of 2020[update], some invasive plants are being removed and the grounds are being restored to serve as a bird and wildlife sanctuary.

[1][2] The wooded portion of the Wildlife Sanctuary features cottonwood, hackberry, silver maple, shingle oak, and black walnut.