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Eastern: Mount Holly Sanctuary
 Clickable map. Click here for a larger version of this map. |
Why You Should Visit
Mount Holly's rugged outcrops of bedrock rise up to 621 feet, cradling a mixed deciduous forest of chestnut oak, black oak and red oak. On the west side of the preserve, a large wetland complex includes an open red maple swamp and a pond that is slowly transforming into a marsh.
Location
Bedford and Lewisboro in Westchester County, New York
Size
209 acres
How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please see our Visitation Guidelines.
Directions
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I-684 to exit 6; east on Rt. 35 for approx. two miles to North Salem Road;
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Left on North Salem Road for 0.25 mile to Mt. Holly Road; turn right.
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Follow Mt. Holly Road for 1.5 miles to where it makes a sharp left.
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Make the left turn (still on Mt. Holly Road).
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The preserve is on the left past the intersection with Holly Hill Lane.
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There is a small parking area along Mt. Holly Road, and minimal parking along the Todd Road entrance.
Trails
Four color-coded trails provide access to nearly the entire preserve. The red and blue trails criss-cross each other several times and take hikers on a meandering walk through mixed deciduous forest and stone outcroppings. The yellow and orange trails bring visitors along wetlands and thickets. Horses are permitted along designated trail sections throughout the preserve.
What to See: Plants
Hardwood forests are dominated by oak and black birch. In the wetlands, look for speckled alder, sweet pepperbush and swamp azalea.
What to See: Animals
Listen for the loud cry of the pileated woodpecker in the open sugar maple stand, and watch for ruffed grouse and broad-winged hawks.
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The Nature Conservancy, assisted by concerned local citizens, purchased the property from the estate of Edward A. Norman in 1975.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Long-term monitoring projects such as deer population studies, invasive plant research, geological surveys and bird censuses are current topics of research at Mount Holly.
