The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Arthur W. Butler Preserve. © The Nature Conservancy

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

Plants and Animals View All

Plan Your Visit

Preserve Map View All

Get Directions

This land’s rugged outcrops and boulder-strewn hills provide a solid foundation for deciduous forests, flowing streams, and swamps teeming with flora and fauna.

Why We Selected This Site

In 1954, Mrs. Butler donated 225 acres of land to The Nature Conservancy in honor of her husband, making it the organization’s first donated preserve and the first wildlife refuge in the town of Bedford. Since then, it has grown through additional donations and purchases to its present size.

What We Do Here

Each fall, visitors flock to the preserve to observe migrating birds of prey. The Nature Conservancy posts interpretive materials that explain the phenomenon of mass migration and help to identify the many raptor species passing overhead.

Enjoy a guided audio tour of this preserve!

Now you can take an audio tour of the Arthur W. Butler Memorial. Download the tour and listen now, or bring your smartphone and take a guided nature walk at the preserve!

Things To Do

There are six forest communities on the preserve: oak-dominant mixed hardwood, oak-hickory, mixed mesophytic, hemlock-mixed hardwood, hemlock dominant and wetland swamp forest. There are also several areas of white pine and Norway spruce plantations.

The Robert J. Hammershlag Hawkwatch is an excellent spot to observe a variety of hawks, falcons and other raptors during the autumn hawk migration. Other animals on the preserve include white-tailed deer, red fox, coyote, great-horned owls, barred owls and screech owls. The summer brings songbirds such as wood thrush, warblers and scarlet tanagers.

Plan Your Visit

This 363-acre preserve is located in Bedford, Westchester County, New York. Download a preserve map to help plan your visit to the Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary.

Directions

• From I-684 to exit 4 (Route 172) west towards Mt. Kisco.
• After 0.3 miles, turn left onto Chestnut Ridge Road and go 1.2 miles.
• Turn right over bridge into parking area.

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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