| Pawling | |
|---|---|
 Informational kiosk alongAppalachian Trail at its southern entry into reserve | |
  Location of Pawling Nature Reserve within New York Show map of New York Pawling Nature Reserve (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Dutchess,Hudson Valley,New York,United States |
| Coordinates | 41°36′10″N73°33′37″W / 41.60278°N 73.56028°W /41.60278; -73.56028 |
| Area | 1.64 sq mi (4.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 800 ft (240 m) |
| Established | 1958 |
| Operator | The Nature Conservancy |
| Website | Pawling Nature Reserve |
ThePawling Nature Reserve is located in the northern section of theTown of Pawling, New York, United States. It is a 1,060-acre (430 ha) area located along the top of Hammersby Ridge, near Quaker Lake owned and managed byThe Nature Conservancy.
Acquired in 1958 from a local citizens' group, it is preserved to protect several diverse communities, including plant and animal species considered rare orthreatened in New York, such as thedevil's bit,soapwort gentian,maidenhair spleenwort and somesalamander communities. It also helps protect thewatershed of theGreat Swamp to the east.[1]
More than 10 miles (16 km) ofhiking trails[1] cross the preserve, including a section of theAppalachian Trail, which provides access for hikers who take theMetro-NorthHarlem Line fromNew York City and get off at the nearbystop alongNY 22/55. The preserve's main access is a large parking lot on Quaker Lake Road. In addition to the natural environments, the trails also offer scenic views of the Harlem Valley region.
