Central & Western: Zoar Valley

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Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
This landscape, which spans the Cattaraugus Creek Valley in Erie, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties, features hemlock-hardwood forests, streams, fens and towering cliff communities more than 300 feet high. In a recent Conservancy-sponsored biological inventory of more than 14 gorge systems draining into Lake Erie, the Zoar Valley emerged as the top priority for conservation.

Threats
Threats to Zoar Valley include residential development that is fragmenting forest habitats, and incompatible and unsustainable forestry practices.

Plants
The Zoar Valley features some of the largest trees in the Northeast, including a 128-foot basswood that is considered among one of the tallest of its species in the entire world. The remote and rugged character of the area has inhibited access. A recent biological inventory of the Zoar Valley revealed more than 600 acres of old-growth forest.

Counterfeiter's Ledge
© The Nature Conservancy

Animals
Black bear, sand darters, bald eagles, steelhead, tiger beetles

How to Visit
From Gowanda, turn east on S. Water St. (the first street south of the bridge) which becomes Commercial St., and then Palmer St. Turn right onto Broadway (County Rt. 4). Continue on Broadway approximately 1 mile. Turn left on Point Peter Rd. to Deer Lick (about 0.5 miles past Forty Rd. on the left).

Our Conservation Stategy

Protect land to acquire sensitive habitats and prevent fragmentation of native forests.
Educate and conduct outreach to improve forest practices.

Conservation Actions
In 2003, The Nature Conservancy opened a new office in Ellicottville to serve the Zoar Valley and Allegany forest regions.

As part of a larger survey completed in 2002 of the gorges and streams that drain into Lake Erie, the Central and Western Chapter worked with the New York State Natural Heritage Program to inventory the plants and animals here.

Partners

NY State Natural Heritage Program
Wendt Foundation
Oishei Foundation
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
NY State Great Lakes Protection Fund
Hahn Family Foundation
NY State Department of Environmental Conservation
Western NY Land Conservancy
Niagara Frontier Botanical Society
Odin-Berkana Foundation
Buffalo Museum of Science