New Hope, PA -- Today, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve to celebrate a new management agreement for the preserve in Bucks County that is a part of Washington Crossing Historic Park.
“This preserve is such a special place and DCNR is excited to cement our partnership with Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Association through this new lease,”
Dunn said. “We thank the Association for its continued positive stewardship of the preserve’s resources and look forward to seeing its impact through the next two generations and beyond.”
The lease agreement allows Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Association, Inc. to continue to operate and improve the 134-acre preserve for the next 35 years while still maintaining public ownership.
“Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve represents the incredible biodiversity, rich habitat, and magnificent beauty of Pennsylvania’s natural heritage,”
Bowman’s Hill Preserve Executive Director Peter Couchman said. “With Pennsylvania Native Species Day happening tomorrow, May 16, we are thrilled to be able to celebrate our DCNR partnership with everyone. The preserve is home to more than 700 of the state’s native plant species -- all held in the public trust -- and is the best place in the state to witness and learn how Pennsylvania native plants support our shared environment.”
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is the only accredited museum in the country dedicated solely to native plants, all growing in sustainable, recognized plant communities.
Among the preserve’s plants are approximately 60 species that are classified as either rare, threatened, or endangered.
“Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is treasure of Bucks County, and I am thrilled it will remain a part of Washington Crossing Historic Park through a new partnership with DCNR,”
state Senator Steve Santarsiero said. “Our state park system represents the best of Pennsylvania -- a strong respect for our region’s rich history, our beautiful natural landscape, and incredible biodiversity. I proudly support growing our investments in our state parks to bolster critical partnerships like the one between Bowman’s Hill and DCNR, which will preserve hundreds of native species and plants and make them available to our community and visitors.”
This year marks the 90th anniversary of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve.
Open all year, the preserve features a native plant nursery, over 5 miles of trails, education programs, and naturalist guided tours for visitors to enjoy.
The preserve will offer free entry May 16 as a part of Pennsylvania Native Species Day. Learn more at the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve website.
“The preserve is the perfect complement to the history at Washington Crossing,”
State Parks Regional Manager Brian Taylor said. “I am hopeful that park visitors looking to learn more about our nation’s birth will also visit the pristine preserve and learn more about native plants and flowers.”
The preserve is operated as a part of 500-acre Washington Crossing Historic Park, which preserves the site of George Washington’s dramatic boat crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolution and is a National Historic Landmark.
The scenic park includes historic buildings, walking paths, picnic pavilions, fishing, non-motorized boat launching, historical and environmental education programs, and hosts special events and re-enactments.
Visit DCNR’s website for more information about
Washington Crossing Historic Park and check out
DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Wesley Robinson, DCNR, 717-877-6315
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