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Find Your Connection in Nature

Discover the best of nature at a TNC preserve near you.

A woman sits on a wooden dock extending into a body of water surrounded by fall trees.
Nags Head Hike Bekah Herndon sits on a fishing pier at a freshwater pond along the Discovery Trail in the Nags Head Woods Preserve, North Carolina. © Ben Herndon for The Nature Conservancy

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful walk in the woods, a place to spot rare birds or an opportunity to volunteer, TNC preserves offer opportunities to experience nature in meaningful ways. From wildlife habitat and scenic landscapes to trails, educational programs and volunteer opportunities, these places help people build lasting connections with the natural world.

TNC preserves are permanently protected places where nature can thrive. Thanks to the support of our members, donors and partners, these lands and waters will continue to provide habitat, beauty and inspiration for years to come.

Mom stands with baby in backpack carrier.
JoAnne and Abby Weaver The Weaver family brought their babies to TNC's Fernbrook Natural Area, where they grew up volunteering. © Courtesy of Tex Weaver

For All Generations

From family traditions to mentorships and lifelong commitments to stewardship, these stories reveal how preserves become places where memories are made, values are passed on and connections to nature take root.

Read the collection
A man and two children explore under rocks at a shore's edge.
Exploring Port Susan Bay: A father and his two sons turn over a rock on the beach of Barnum point to discover what wonders might be hidden beneath. © Benj Drummond

Explore ways to connect with nature near you.

Explore The Nature Conservancy’s Network of Preserves

TNC manages more than 1,400 preserves, nearly 800 of which welcome visitors. These protected places safeguard lands and waters, provide critical habitat for plants and wildlife, advance conservation science and stewardship and offer opportunities for people to experience nature firsthand.

see the interactive map

Under Three-Minute Virtual Preserve Tours

Come Tour Bear Island Preserve With Us (2:10) Step into the heart of the Potomac Gorge in Maryland as we explore Bear Island, a breathtaking preserve protected through a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service. Just minutes from Washington, DC, this landscape offers a peaceful retreat from city life.
Come Tour Nachusa Grasslands Preserve With Us (2:13) Explore Nachusa Grasslands Preserve, one of the largest and most successful prairie restoration projects in Illinois, located just west of Chicago. We'll take you inside this 4,000‑acre grassland ecosystem, home to American bison, rare plants and diverse bird species.
Come Tour Mashomack Preserve With Us (2:52) Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island offers a peaceful escape just a short ferry ride from Long Island, inviting you into a landscape of salt marshes, oak woodlands, tidal creeks and meadows protected by The Nature Conservancy and local residents since the 1980s.
Come Tour Ramsey Canyon With Us (2:40) Discover the quiet beauty of Ramsey Canyon Preserve in southeastern Arizona. Join us for a peaceful walk through towering trees, cool mountain air and a thriving wildlife haven protected by The Nature Conservancy.
Woodpecker on tree.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker A red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) visits the restored longleaf pine forest in The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve in Florida. © Carlton Ward Jr.

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A road winds through a forest awash in autumn colors.

Top Places to See Fall Colors

Plan your leaf peeping adventure at TNC preserves across North America.

A collection of birds move about on the ground and in the sky.

Where Conservation Takes Flight

Discover The Nature Conservancy's best nature preserves for fall bird migration.

A furry brown animal stands on its hind legs to observe a snowy landscape.

Winter Wildlife Watching

From Owls to Otters: Bare trees and quiet landscapes make winter the perfect season to visit The Nature Conservancy’s preserves.

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