A Preserve of Rolling Wetlands and Quiet Beauty

Overview

Guard Hill Preserve spans 76 acres and features gently rolling hills, forested wetlands, and a rich mosaic of native plant and animal life. In spring and early summer, the wetlands come alive with the texture and scent of cinnamon fern, skunk cabbage, and sphagnum moss, while flowering red maples dot the canopy.

Ecology

The preserve is home to more than 57 acres of forested wetland, where red maples, red osier dogwood, blueberry, and spicebush provide important shelter and food for a variety of wildlife. A meandering stream branches through the wetland, supporting bird species such as blue-winged warbler, ovenbird, wood thrush, and veery. You may also spot or hear the calls of the flashy, but rarer, rose-breasted grosbeak and Baltimore oriole.

In the preserve’s 24-acre upland forest, you’ll find a mix of sugar maple, black birch, white oak, ironwood, white ash, white pine, and black cherry. The remains of an old apple orchard offer a living window into the preserve’s agricultural past. The shrub layer includes a mix of blueberry and spicebush.

The two patches of edge habitat represent different chapters in the preserve’s history. One is a natural transition from upland forest to wetlands, with tall native shrubs like winterberry, arrowwood, and blueberry thriving above the browse line. This edge is rich in biodiversity and is essential for amphibian habitat.

The other edge habitat surrounds the foundation of an old homestead. Pioneer species like locust and black cherry, and a few old red cedars, compete with thick stands of stiltgrass and other invasive plants that have taken hold in the disturbed areas.

History

This land lies within the traditional territories of the Lenape people, and their culture and traditions live on today.

Amy and Brian Pennington bought the property in 2000 to protect it from development and generously donated it to Westchester Land Trust. Today, it plays a dual role in supporting clean drinking water and nature conservation. The Town of Bedford is working to establish safe, clean drinking water wells at the preserve for Bedford Village.

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Know Before You Go

Guard Hill Preserve welcomes visitors of all abilities. The following trail information is provided to help all visitors—including those using mobility devices or with other disabilities—plan their visit.

Download Trail Map

The Sam Pryor Trail is approximately 1 mile in each direction (about 2 miles round trip) that starts as a firm grass path and then transitions to a compacted dirt surface and a wide, gently curving trail that runs along the edge of the preserve.

The trail surface may become slick or uneven after rain. Tread obstacles that you may encounter include rodent tunnels, which may create soft or unstable patches, protruding  roots, small rocks, or fallen branches.

The trail is shared with the Bedford Riding Lanes Association (BRLA) and is parallel to Sunnyfield Farm. Horses are often unfamiliar with mobility devices and other adaptive equipment. To help ensure a safe interaction, speak with the horse in a calm voice so it recognizes you as a person. Ask the horseback rider where you should position yourself to allow the horse to pass safely.

If you have questions about accessibility, adaptive use of the trail, or need specific information to plan your visit, please contact us at 914-234-6992 or info@westchesterlandtrust.org.

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Conservation Values

Guard Hill Preserve protects state-regulated wetland within the Croton watershed, a source of drinking water for more than 9 million people in New York City and Westchester County. Its aquifer also serves both private and public drinking water supplies in Bedford.

• Drinking water protection
• Wetland habitat
• Forest health
• Biodiversity

Activities