The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Gray fox near Mianus River Gorge Wildlife Refuge and Botanical Preserve © Douglas Rodda

We may not work on-the-ground in New York City's five boroughs, but that doesn't mean you can't get a taste of the great outdoors!  Plenty of our preserves are located within a two-hour journey from mid-town Manhattan.

The Nature Conservancy's long history in the United States began right here in New York.  Mianus River Gorge, 740 acres of wild hemlock stands, lush fern gullies, and rushing river marks the Conservancy's first land transaction in 1954. Since then, we have protected over 600,000 acres in New York, and more than 15 million in the United States alone.

So what are you waiting for?  Take a look, plan a trip, and find out what we've been up to over the past 50 years!

Westchester County

The following preserves are located less than two hours from Manhattan, in Westchester County. 

• Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary - The Robert J. Hammershlag Hawkwatch is an excellent spot to observe a variety of hawks, falcons and other raptors during the autumn hawk migration.
• Eugene and Agnes Meyer Nature Preserve - more than six miles of trails will take you through a diverse preserve of hemlock stands, mountain laurel thickets, steep cliffs, and wildflower meadows.
• Long Pond Preserve - Long Pond's peaceful meadow blazes with the color of wildflowers in bloom and butterflies in flight; a one-mile trail travels through a mixed deciduous forest.
• Marian Yarrow Sanctuary - trek through hardwood forests to Hidden Lake to watch for migratory birds. Continue on to find a 30-foot waterfall flowing into Indian Brook.
• Mianus River Gorge Preserve - visit our landmark preserve, studded with ancient hemlock stands, fern gullies, and lookout sites like Havemeyer Falls and Hobby Hill Quarry
• Mildred E. Grierson Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary - the preserve features a five acre spring-fed marsh pond which provides a nesting site for ducks.
• Henry Morganthau Preserve - set along the shore of Blue Heron Lake, the preserve includes a small island, wetlands, vernal ponds, and woodlands.
• Mount Holly Sanctuary - a mixed habitat consisting of deciduous forest and red oak swamp; four trails provide access to nearly the entire preserve; horses are permitted along designated trails.
• Otter Creek Preserve - a tidal marsh that provides habitat for a wide range of migratory birds and waterfowl; a half-mile trail traverses the preserve and kiosks provide information along the way.

Long Island

The following preserve is located less than two hours from Manhattan, on Long Island.

• Uplands Farm Sanctuary - a self-guided nature trail leads through open fields, ash and oak hedgerows, vernal pools, and upland woods.