Eastern: The Eugene and Agnes Meyer Nature Preserve

Clickable map.  Click here for a larger version of this map.

Why You Should Visit
This diverse preserve combines two distinct parcels containing a variety of geologic forms and an exceptional concentration of vernal pools. In the rugged east parcel, deciduous forest, hemlock stands and mountain laurel thickets crown rocky outcrops, and steep cliffs rim Byram Lake Reservoir. In the western parcel, native grasses and wildflowers blanket several meadows that provide excellent habitat for mammals, birds and insects. A number of reptile and amphibian species thrive in the streams and red maple swamps throughout both parcels.

Location
North Castle and New Castle, Westchester County, New York

Size
247 acres

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please see our Visitation Guidelines.

Directions

• East parcel
  

  • I-684 to exit 4; west on Route 172 toward Mt. Kisco.
  • After 0.3 miles, turn left onto Chestnut Ridge Road and follow it to its end.
  • Turn right onto Route 22.
  • Take the first right onto Baldwin Road; proceed 0.3 miles.
  • Turn left onto Byram Lake Road and follow it for 0.9 miles.
  • Turn right onto Oregon Road.
  • The preserve is just ahead on the right. Park in the designated area.
     

• West parcel
  

  • I-684 to exit 4. Go west on Route 172 toward Mt. Kisco.
  • Stay on Route 172 West for 1.5 miles to Sarles Street.
  • Turn left on Sarles Street and follow it for approximately 2.5 miles to Bretton Ridge Road on the right.
  • There is a small parking area directly across from Bretton Ridge Road.

Trails
There are more than 6.5 miles of color-coded trails that range from steep and narrow, to wide abandoned roads. Please visit the kiosk at either preserve entrance to plan your route.

What to See: Plants
Wildflowers such as rattlesnake plantain, dutchman's breeches, purple trillium, toothwort, false solomon's seal and bloodroot. Pockets of very old and large beech trees and hemlocks, red maple swamps and oak-hickory forests.

What to See: Animals
Birds such as wood thrushes, red-bellied woodpeckers, bluebirds, veeries, worm-eating warblers, magnolia warblers, yellow-throated vireos, Northern orioles, blue-winged warblers, black-and-white warblers, Louisiana water thrushes and bay-breasted warblers.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
This preserve was donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1973 by the Meyer Foundation. The Nature Conservancy acquired sixteen additional acres of swamp in 1978.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Meyer Preserve is a favorite venue for field trips among educators and researchers. Local school groups monitor and maintain a number of bluebird boxes in the meadows. Botanical clubs document and monitor occurrences of rare plants, and geology classes often visit the preserve to examine its exceptional display of glacial influence.