Keep Conservation Foundation owns and manages three preserves for the preservation of wildlife, the enjoyment of walking, observing the natural world and for education of the public.
Germantown, New York
The Keep Conservation Foundation preserve in Germantown, New York is a 143 acre parcel of rivers, woods and old farm fields. Our mowed paths provide an accessible walk through the preserve where many species of breeding, nesting and resident birds can be see throughout the years. With the help of a WHIP grant (Wildlife Habitat Initiative Project) from the Department of Agriculture, we have been able to bring back the old farm fields from encroaching woody vegetation thereby encouraging the nesting of field birds such as the Blue-Winged and Prairie Warbler, Savannah and Field Sparrow, Eastern Blue Birds as well as many other species. Butterflies, dragonflies, turtles, reptiles, amphibians and small mammals also benefit from this protected habitat. With the help of biologists from the Department of Agriculture, we have planted grasses to attract Bob-o-links and Eastern Meadowlarks, both of which are seriously threatened in New York State.
The preserve is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week for walking, nature observation and photography.
Directions: Take the NYS Thruway to Exit 19 (Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge). Follow signs to bridge, continuing across bridge to the 2nd light where the road ends in a "T". Make a left onto Route 9G and continue north for 9 miles to Germantown High School. Make a left at the light onto County Rte. 8 (Main Street). Continue for 1.7 miles. Just past the Rockefeller Historic House on the left there is a sign at the entrance and parking lot to Keep Conservation Property.
For comments on our preserves, please email louisefraza@yahoo.com.
Port Republic, New Jersey
Keep Conservation Foundation’s Port Republic, New Jersey Preserve is an 83 acre preserve of woods, fields, pond and salt marsh. A walk around the preserve takes you through woods where Great Horned Owls and Yellow-Billed Cuckoos can be seen. Our paths lead down to the Nacote Creek and marshlands, where many species of Herons and Egrets find homes and food and Bald Eagles and Ospreys circle overhead on their way to fish. Sub-adult Purple Martins were seen scouting out the Martin gourd rack we put up last year.
This preserve, which has New Jersey Green Acres tax exempt certification, is open from dawn to dusk seven days a week for walking, nature observation and photography.
For comments on our preserves, please email louisefraza@yahoo.com.
Pamela Kahn Bacca Preserve, Maricopa County, Arizona
The Pamela Kahn Bacca preserve in Vekol Valley, Maricopa County Arizona is a 30-acre preserve of raw desert where desert wildlife and fauna is protected as rampant development creeps up on all sides. Maricopa county has one of the highest rates of development in the United States. It is our hope that with all of this development, water will be brought closer to our land and we will be able to use it for water features that will enhance habitat. A walk on this land gives views of the beauty of mountains in the distance as birds of prey fly overhead and jackrabbits run for cover.
The Pamela Kahn Bacca preserve is open from dawn to dusk for walking, nature observation, photography and horseback riding.
For comments on our preserves, please email louisefraza@yahoo.com.