NATURE PRESERVE

For-Mar’s nature preserve boasts 267 acres full of natural features which are set as habitat for both our local flora and fauna. Visitors to the nature preserve will find three ponds, the Kearsley Creek, wetland habitats, and a sugar bush maple forest. The Kearsley Creek dissects the preserve and meets the oak & beech forest while the sugar bush maple forest is comprised of small and mature trees of which we tap each March during our Sugar Bush Festival. Wetland areas and a beautiful bluebird open field habitat can be seen from the miles of hiking trails. And don’t miss our stand of conifers north of Dewaters Education Center.

Our nature preserve houses many native animals that live in our diverse habitats. These animals depend on the native trees, shrubs and wildflower plant species for both food and shelter. You can find a variety of animal species on our property including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red and fox squirrels, flying squirrels, chipmunks, bullfrogs, screech owls, coopers hawks, bluebirds, butterflies, snapping turtles, turtles, frogs, muskrats, fish, lots of water bugs – and so much more!

Manmade features in the preserve include:

An observation tower that lets you look out over the wetland habitats
Three scenic bridges
An old fashion windmill
Countless benches
Sugar Shack
DeWaters Educational Center
Look out for historical traces of the original Sugar bush evaporators from the Merkley’s Farm
We are in the process of raising funds to restore the dock at our groundwater pond in collaboration with the Friends of For-Mar.

To learn more about the Friends of For-Mar, visit their website!