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Our Preserves

High Point Preserve

The High Point Preserve, so named because the peak of the preserve is 1920 feet above sea level, is the highest point in Silver Lake Township. High Point sits at the headwaters of Silver Creek and consists of 280 plus acres of mature mixed hardwood and hemlock forest, a small emergent/scrub-shrub wetland at the northern end of the lake, a small open meadow, vernal pools, and Silver Lake shoreline.

Currently, there are no structures on the property. There is a series of trails throughout Highpoint Preserve allowing for easy access by conservancy members. Preserve and trail maintenance is funded by membership dues and we invite you to join us and enjoy the trail system. Trails are clearly marked and are maintained annually.

Butterfly and Dedication Garden and Vernal Pools
In 2006, Conservancy members and volunteers enhanced a small open meadow at the edge of Highpoint Preserve by planting pollinator-friendly flowers and maintaining already present milkweed. The goal of this creation of the “Butterfly Garden” was to provide a habitat for butterflies and other pollinators and also to provide a place for visitors to relax and observe pollinating species.

Conservancy members also constructed two small vernal pools. These pools are fed mainly by groundwater with some input from surface water flow and hold water year-round. One of these pools is located next to the butterfly garden and enhances the habitat, providing a critical habitat and a place for frogs and salamanders to breed. The other vernal pool is located next to a small, wet meadow in the wooded area of the preserve. Not only are these two vernal pools of great conservation value, but they are also aesthetically pleasing, offer hands-on educational opportunities, and represent another asset that the preserve has to offer visitors.

Near the butterfly garden are some native trees, which were planted to honor conservancy members who were vital in the conservancy’s success.

Open Field
At the entrance of the preserve there is an open field in which the butterfly and dedication garden, and a vernal pool are located. This area is a good area for use by visitors to observe insects and pool-dwelling creatures. It is also a place to relax after hiking through the preserve. In addition, a bat box was installed in the field as part of a Rockwell Collins Green Communities Grant, to encourage summer roosting by bats. The field supports the growth of common milkweed, and numerous pollinators ranging from butterflies and bees, to hummingbirds, regularly feed on the milkweed. Milkweed is the sole larval food of the monarch butterfly, populations of which are in serious decline.

Mature Forest

A large majority of the preserve is made up of mature deciduous, mixed deciduous, and coniferous forests with various tree species native to the area. The forest extends from the top of the preserve to the edge of Silver Lake which the preserve borders, helping to control any runoff that flows into the lake and playing a key role in the lake ecosystem and its overall health.
On a larger, landscape scale, High Point Preserve is a significant part of the large, contiguous forested area west of Silver Lake. As such, the preserve contributes substantially to the diversity of plant and animal habitat in the area. High Point Preserve is part of the supporting landscape identified as necessary to ensure the high quality of Silver Lake (A Natural Areas Inventory of Susquehanna County, 2006). High Point Preserve helps to maintain the vital ecological processes and secondary habitat in the local area and as such, has been identified as an area that should be protected from further fragmentation by roads and other development. Because large forested blocks are critical habitat for plants and animals dependent on forest interior conditions and, along with connecting corridors, serve as the backbone of wildlife habitat in the area, the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program recommends that conservation efforts in the county should concentrate on maintaining these large forest blocks by avoiding further fragmentation.

Rocky Outcrop

At the top of the ridge, there are several rocky outcrops and areas covered with loose shale. Within these outcrops are several small cave-like areas. Signs of porcupines and other animals can be found within the openings.

Emergent/Scrub-shrub Wetland
At the northern end of the lake on the High Point property, containing one of the main stream inlets to the lake is a small wetland area. This area is habitat for many wetland plants including the rare flat-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton robinsii).

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Greenwood Sanctuary

In 2009 the Conservancy acquired 128 acres of land in Dimock Township, Pennsylvania. This property was gifted to the Conservancy by its previous owner, Laidily A. MacBride.

Greenwood Sanctuary is mostly a mix of hardwood forests, open fields and hemlock forest. A small, un-named stream originates off the property and flows along the western boundary. Several old beaver dams have resulted in a small shallow pond and wetlands along the stream. Near the center of the property, is a larger, deeper pond with a small island and a wooden dock on the northwest side. There are two gated access roads – the primary access from the north and an abandoned access from the west. A system of trails, primarily consisting of old logging trails, is present on the property.

The Greenwood property has many assets. The biggest building on the property is a large, two-story, clapboard barn that was constructed when the property was owned by Laidily MacBride. The barn recently underwent renovations to add a bedroom and bathroom for use by Conservancy research interns. Other structures include a stone and wood shed, a functional outhouse, a small abandoned storage shed, the foundation ruins of an old barn, and several old stone walls.

Longford Lake Property

The Longford Lake property is a 52-acre parcel that sits adjacent to Longford Lake and associated lands owned by the Longford Lake Association. The land was donated to the Conservancy with the goal of protecting it from development. During the time it was donated, land surrounding Longford Lake was being developed by private owners. To ensure the preservation of open space and wildlife habitat in the area, owners donated the land to the Conservancy.

The management of the property is funded through the contribution of members and is therefore open for use by Conservancy members. The property is open for recreational activities such as hiking and birdwatching. Informal hiking trails are present on the property. We invite you to join us and enjoy the property.

The Longford Lake property is mostly a mix of young and mature hardwood forests, mature hemlock forests, several acres of open field, a small emergent wetland, a small abandoned stone quarry, and several power lines rights-of-way.

Open Fields

South of the entrance off of Route 167 is a large open field. The field is composed of herbaceous vegetation such as milkweed, goldenrod, asters, and other plants, with a small cluster of aspen at the center. The field supports the growth of common milkweed, and numerous pollinators ranging from butterflies and bees, to hummingbirds, regularly feed on milkweed. Milkweed is the sole larval food of the monarch butterfly, populations of which are in serious decline. Growth of this important plant is being actively encouraged in this field. There is another small open field to the west of the sewage treatment plant. There is a small deer exclosure located in this field, established to demonstrate the impact deer are having on forest lands.

Forest

A large majority of the preserve is made up of deciduous, mixed deciduous, and hemlock forests with various tree species native to the area. Some of these forested areas are mature, mixed hardwood, and some of these areas are young, second-growth forest consisting mostly of red maple and scattered white pines.

On a larger, landscape scale, the Longford Lake property plays an important role in the area. The property is part of the supporting landscape identified as necessary to ensure the high quality of St. Joseph Ravine, as well as other important areas (A Natural Areas Inventory of Susquehanna County, 2006). The Longford Lake property helps to maintain the vital ecological processes and secondary habitat in the local area and as such, has been identified as an area that should be protected from further fragmentation by roads and other development. Because large forested blocks are critical habitat for plants and animals dependent on forest interior conditions and, along with connecting corridors, serve as the backbone of wildlife habitat in the area, the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program recommends that conservation efforts in the county should concentrate on maintaining these large forest blocks by avoiding further fragmentation.

Abandoned Stone Quarry

To the north of Longford Lake there is a small, inactive small stone quarry. This area now supports new black birch and aspen growth. This unique area supports a variety of native snake species.

ELRose_property_map _with_vermett_easement_2017

Our Preserves

High Point Preserve

Greenwood Sanctuary

Longford Lake Property

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