Boyer Nature Preserve

About This Preserve
  • 9 Acres
  • Region: Susquehanna Riverlands
  • Coordinates: 39.97165, -76.37466

Ecology and Management

Boyer is managed for its habitat being of highest and best use.

 Boyer is located along an important wildlife corridor and is a moderate to steep-sloped woodland landscape overgrown with thickets. Walnut Hill Road divides the preserve into a larger steep hillside area of mature hardwoods, and a smaller part west of the road which runs steeply to the narrow floodplain and stream bank of the Little Conestoga Creek. Mature second growth trees were typical of Lancaster County a generation ago. The lower hillside and floodplain have several large sycamores and black walnuts, along with silver maple, box elder, and tulip poplar.  The upper area contains beech, sugar maples, sweet birch, red oaks, white oaks, hackberries, elms, and tulip trees. A rock cliff provides additional habitat.

Boyer Nature Preserve is a great place to observe brightly colored songbirds relying on streamside corridors for cover while avoiding predators during their migrations. Many birds, including scarlet tanagers, orioles, redstarts, and yellow warblers can be seen here, as well as great blue herons along the Little Conestoga and the occasional bald eagle above the canopy.

Watershed

The Preserve overlooks the Little Conestoga Creek just downstream from its confluence with the West Branch of the Little Conestoga Creek. The Little Conestoga Creek keeps a straight course until joining the Conestoga River which then empties into the Susquehanna River just beneath the Safe Harbor Dam.

Acquisition History

Boyer Nature Preserve was donated by the Boyer Family from 1973 to 1980.

Hunting Information

No Hunting.

Amenities

Shoulder parking. Preserve sign.

Prevent Tick Borne Illness!

  • Wear repellent
  • Check for ticks after your visit
  • Shower soon after being outdoors
  • Call your doctor if you get a fever or rash

For more information visit cdc.gov/lyme

Spotted Lanternfly Alert!

Lancaster County is a Spotted Lanternfly quarantine area. This highly invasive insect is a serious threat to the health of our forests.

What you can do to help:

  1. Report spotted lanternfly sightings to Penn State Extension or call 1-888-4BADFLY.
  2. Stop the Spread. Look before you leave! Check gear, vehicles, and trailers.
  3. Smash them, bash them, kill them dead.
  4. Scrap and smash egg masses.

Emergency Information

In case of emergency, call 911

Nearest Hospital – 9.4 miles away
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

555 N Duke St, Lancaster, PA 17602

Additional Resources
Blue Rock Fire Rescue
717-684-8287

Manor Township Police Department
717-299-5231