Nature nurtures us, takes the stress away from our daily lives, and leaves lasting impressions. Each year the Conservancy reaches thousands of people on our preserves — special places that inspire and connect all ages to nature. Whether it is exploring a meadow, taking a hike to meander through a forest or kayaking down a stream, this region and the places we protect offer some of the best opportunities to get outdoors, explore our trails, and learn about the natural landscape.

The Conservancy’s commitment to strengthening this bond with nature is so great we offer events and activities throughout the year to engage people from all walks of life who want to listen and learn about our wild areas.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Environmental Education Partnerships

Our environmental education partners extend our reach to teach students, youth, and adult learners through structured programming and service:

• School District of Lancaster

  • Together with NorthBay and School District of Lancaster, we will reach nearly 3,000 middle school students at Climbers Run over the next 3 years. Schools and partners also use Climbers Run and priority preserves for Trout in the Classroom and watershed education to learn about caring for local streams that sustain wild trout.

• Excentia’s TimberNook of Lancaster

  • Excentia’s TimberNook of Lancaster summer sessions will take place at Climbers. Excentia gets kids out into nature with unique outdoor programs that inspire them to think and play in new and creative ways to enhance their sensory skills.

• Scouts

  • Scout projects and service learning opportunities on preserves provide young leaders and their troop opportunities to build conservation skills in a variety of ways, whether it’s building a kiosk for a new preserve, installing bat boxes in meadow, or adding mile markers along a new trail.

• Colleges & Universities

  • College and university research and preserve opportunities contribute valuable information and learning opportunities for students and professors.

• Partners

  • Nonprofit partners like Donegal Trout Unlimited, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and so many others extend our reach to all ages in protecting our streams and natural areas by sharing their expertise, time, and service in our community.

As passionate voices for the natural world we hope you will join us to learn, explore, protect and restore this region’s amazing sense of place.

Other Ways to Savor Nature

• Take a Hike!

  • Get outdoors through our events or take your own hike on one of our preserves or on a regional trail and share your experience with us!

• Natural Playground at Climbers Run

  • Show us your child’s experience in nature! Whether splashing in a stream or building a mud pie, our preserves offer so many ways for you to give your child a chance to love the outdoor world. And be prepared to get a little dirty and have fun at the new Natural Playground at Climbers Run.

• Forest Bathing

  • Pick a favorite preserve and bathe in the forested landscape, take in a breathtaking vista, listen for the sound of spring peepers, or observe the fall migration as the season changes. There is so much life around us waiting to be discovered.

• Create Habitat at Home

  • Plant a tree at your home or join us for a tree planting along a waterway or in a park. Turn your yard into your very own pollinator oasis with a few tips from our Community Wildlife Habitat stewards.

• Hunting & Fishing

  • There’s no time like the present to learn how to hunt or fish on a preserve near you. Check out our where to hunt and where to fish pages to learn more!