Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and Environmental Center is a non-profit education and conservation organization located on 609 acres in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Nestled in the foothills of the South Mountain Range, the 600-acre Strawberry Hill Nature Center & Preserve offers outstanding opportunities for you to discover and explore the natural world. The preserve contains diverse habitats, including wet and dry woodlands, three ponds, two mountain streams, and much more. Ten miles of trails meander through the property and lead to unique rock formations, scenic vistas, and secret glades.

We welcome hikers, walkers, families, school children, teachers, photographers, birders, butterfly-chasers, and nature lovers. We invite you to take part in activities that celebrate the outdoors, such as our education programs, hiking, and bird watching. Or just come and enjoy the fresh air.

Mission

Strawberry Hill protects the Swamp Creek Watershed and connects our community with the natural world through environmental education and land stewardship at our preserve in the South Mountian Region.

Vision

Strawberry Hill continues to be the area's preeminent community resource for diversified environmental education, outdoor nature exploration and sustainable resource management.

What we do: Strawberry Hill connects ours community with the natural world by teaching, inspiring, and promoting stewardship of our environment. For more than 25 years, Strawberry Hill has interpreted our open space as a living classroom for people of all ages in our community. This past year, we welcomed more than 7,000 visitors including pre-school to 8th grade students, hikers, birders, families and scout groups.

Education Programs
As the only nonprofit environmental education center in Adams County, Strawberry Hill offers a variety of programs for children and adults, as well as schools and community groups, throughout the year, both on and off-site. Experienced teacher-naturalists lead guided hikes and innovative nature programs that provide hands-on discovery activities for children and families.

Ecological Management
Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve & Environmental Center strives to protect land in the Middle Creek Watershed and promote the biodiversity of native plants and animals. The main focus of our site conservation plan is habitat restoration and protection. Our research program gathers information to determine the best practices for preserving the special habitats of Strawberry Hill.

Status: The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Membership and contributions to Strawberry Hill are tax deductible as allowed by law.

 

Board of Directors:

Strawberry Hill is governed by a 12 member board of directors made of up individuals with varied experience and background from surrounding communities.

  2013 Board of Directors

Trudy Gladhill, Board President	Fairfield, PA		Dave Peters,Vice President	Fairfield, PA
Deb Johnson, Secretary	Fairfield, PA		Joe Macharsky, Treasurer	Fairfield, PA
Fred Froelicher	Littlestown, PA		Mark Berg	Gettysburg, PA
Jack Handshaw	Fairfield, PA		Hugh Lewis	Gettysburg, PA
Hugh Matthews	Gettysburg, PA		Jim Paddock	Gettysburg, PA
Rusty Ryan	Fairfield, PA		Sue Cipperly	Gettysburg, PA

 

Here are just a few ways to learn about nature while exploring our preserve:

• Take a walk or fitness hike on our 10 miles of trails that meander through a variety of Pennsylvania habitats, including wet and dry woodlands, two mountain streams, ponds, and a restored mineral quarry. Diverse plants and wildlife make their homes here, including marsh marigold, trout lily, deer, fox, red-spotted newts, barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, and wild turkey.

o Trails are open daily to the public, dawn to dusk. Stop by our kiosk for trail maps and informational guides about the landscape. Remember to bring your book, sketch pad, guitar or a picnic to enjoy a few hours in the sun. Strawberry Hill has wonderful places - benches, tables, grassy areas - to relax, breathe fresh air and enjoy your family and friends.

• Participate in one of our hands-on educational programs offered throughout the year. Programs are geared for all ages, as well as schools and community groups.

o Program topics include: Maple Sugaring in the winter, Trail and Preserve Management in the spring and fall; Junior Naturalist Camps in the summer, "Second Sunday" fun activities geared for the whole family, and monthly guided hikes featuring seasonal themes such as bird watching, frog hunting, and astronomy.

• Visit our nature center to get a closer look at the plants, animals, and rocks that are found here in our region as well as beyond. The center is also full of information about other conservation and environmental resources in the area.

o The center is open during the week (Tue - Fri) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday hours will be offered during the summer season; please see our website to confirm hours.