Our preserves are currently open for use. We will keep them open as long as it is safe to do so. We will advise any changes on our website, by email and on social media. While visiting our preserves, please follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and personal hygiene. And please remain at home if you are sick or exhibiting symptoms.
We do love dogs, however... Because it is an important bird area (IBA) for nesting grassland birds who are very sensitive to the presence of dogs, they are not allowed at Kirkwood Preserve.
Also, because it is used for food production, we do not allow dogs at Rushton Woods Preserve.
Willistown Conservation Trust owns and manages three nature preserves in the Willistown area - Ashbridge, Kirkwood and Rushton Woods Preserve. We maintain these lands for the preservation and enhancement of their natural and scenic features and appropriate public access and education. A fourth nature preserve, Okehocking, is owned by Willistown Township and is protected by conservation easement held by Willistown Conservation Trust.
Ashbridge Preserve
E. Strasburg Road, West Chester
Ashbridge Preserve is a 55-acre mix of early and mid-successional woodland, with old fields and open wet meadows. It contains the main stem of the Ridley Creek, a small tributary, and associated wetlands and floodplains. Read more.
Kirkwood Preserve
Grubbs Mill Road, Newtown Square
Kirkwood Preserve is an 83 acre primarily rolling grasslands with scattered trees and a few woodland areas. Some wet meadow surrounds the main stem of the Crum Creek. Read more.
Rushton Woods Preserve
Delchester Road, Newtown Square
Rushton Woods Preserve is an 86-acre treasure with mature woodland, open meadows, a creek, and Rushton Farm, center of the Trust's Community Farm and Bird Conservation Program. Read more.
Willistown Conservation Trust Office
Providence Road, Newtown Square
A short trail through a 1.2 acre native wildflower demo area, most spectacular in July-September, and home to rare pollinators. *Closed now in compliance with the COVID-19 protocol, but keep this magical wildflower meadow in mind for when our office reopens and our staff can greet you
You Make It Possible
Your generous donations help us do our work, including the ongoing stewardship of our public preserves. Open to the community, free of charge, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to maintain them. Please give to our Annual Fund and help Willistown Conservation Trust continue to permanently protect land.
Other Nature Preserves in the Area
Okehocking Preserve
Okehocking Preserve, owned by Willistown Township, is a 180-acre nature preserve with over five miles of trails, rolling hills, woodland and stream. The Trust partnered with Willistown Township to secure the funding and permanant preservation of this Willistown jewel. A stone barn and surrounding 4.4 acres within the Preserve is owned by Willistown Conservation Trust. Read more.
Willisbrook Preserve
The 126-acre Willisbrook Preserve, owned by Natural Lands Trust, includes over 20 acres of the Willistown Serpentine Barrens, a rare ecosystem unique to this area. These barrens support a diverse variety of plants, including serpentine aster, round-leafed fame flower, and warm-season grasses. Read more.
Ridley Creek State Park
Ridley Creek State Park encompasses over 2,606 acres of Delaware County woodlands and meadows. The gently rolling terrain of the park, bisected by Ridley Creek, is in the southern portion of the Trust's preservation focus area. Read more.
Tyler Arboretum
To the east of and abutting Ridley Creek State Park, Tyler Arboretum encompasses 650 acres of horticultural collections, rare plant specimens, ancient trees, historic buildings, and extensive hiking trails. Read more.
East Goshen Park
East Goshen Township owns the 66 acre East Goshen Park on Paoli Pike. Read more.
