Lancaster Conservancy

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Lancaster Conservancy Nonprofit land trust providing wild and forested lands and clean waterways for our community, forever

Lancaster Conservancy is an accredited land trust that protects and restores natural lands for future generations. Since our founding in 1969 by local anglers and hunters, the Conservancy has saved over 7,500 acres of land to protect the ecosystems and landscapes upon which we depend for food, clean water, clean air, economic and public health, and the restoration of the soul and spirit. We manage the lands we own in 47 nature preserves and care for over 45 miles of hiking trails. Our preserves, located in Lancaster County as well as along the Susquehanna River in York County, are open to the public free of charge 365 days a year and provide opportunities for passive recreation like hiking, fishing, hunting, and swimming. We have protected some of the most beautiful and beloved natural places in the area – places like Climbers Run, Welsh Mountain, Tucquan Glen & Pyfer, and Shenks Ferry Wildflower preserves. Our work cultivates a connection with nature and educates everyone on the importance of clean water, native species, biodiversity, and proper land use. By partnering with other non-profit organizations and government entities, we work to protect the health of our land, watersheds, and local wildlife - forever. Join us as a member today to help support this critical effort to save nature.

We're getting ready for Trail Fest at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve! Trail Fest is tomorrow, October 17t...
10/16/2026

We're getting ready for Trail Fest at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve! Trail Fest is tomorrow, October 17th, and there's still time to grab your tickets! Music, food, and community await as you explore one of the Conservancy’s newest nature preserves before it’s fully open to visitors 🌳🎢πŸ₯ΎπŸ§‘

Learn more and get tickets at https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest/

πŸ“Έ: Kelly Slippey

Trail Fest is just 2 DAYS AWAY! πŸŽ‰ We can't wait to see you at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve for a day of...
10/15/2026

Trail Fest is just 2 DAYS AWAY! πŸŽ‰ We can't wait to see you at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve for a day of celebrating and enjoying the outdoors!

Trail Fest entry is easiest when you purchase your tickets in advance! If you don't have your tickets yet, you can still get them at https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest/

Here are some things to know for Trail Fest:

πŸͺ‘ We recommend bringing chairs or blankets for seating.

πŸ’§ Please bring a reusable water bottle. We'll have a water bottle refilling station at the event.

πŸ₯€ If you purchased a reusable Trail Fest cup last year, bring that along to use for b**r and c***r again this year! To reduce the use of single-use plastics at this event, those wishing to have b**r or c***r must bring or purchase a reusable Trail Fest cup.

🍟 Food will be available for purchase from Traveling J's, Tipsy Boar BBQ, and Mezcla Ice Cream. While we encourage you to support our food vendors, you are also welcome to bring your own food.

🍺 B**r and c***r will be available for purchase from Collusion Tap Works. Outside alcohol is not permitted.

🌳 The Nature Discovery Walk will be an easy hike of about 1/2 mile over grassy surfaces with about 50 feet of elevation change. The trails at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve are not accessible for mobility devices/strollers with wheels at this time.

πŸšΆβ€βž‘οΈThe Conservancy is still in the planning process for the Graham Nature Preserve, including planning for future trails. If you want to get in a more rigorous hike ahead of attending Trail Fest, consider Robert A. Kinsley Nature Preserve (a 10-minute drive from Trail Fest).

🐢 While dogs are welcome to visit our preserves (on leash) with you regularly, we ask that you do not bring pets, other than service animals, to Trail Fest for the safety and comfort of all in attendance.

➑ More information, including the schedule, can be found on the Trail Fest website!

**Please note that Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve is closed for general visitation while Lancaster Conservancy develops a management plan for the preserve. It is open for select educational events only.

THANK YOU to our Trail Fest 2026 sponsors who make this event possible: Jay Group, The Martin-Harnish Foundation, Kinsle...
10/14/2026

THANK YOU to our Trail Fest 2026 sponsors who make this event possible: Jay Group, The Martin-Harnish Foundation, Kinsley Properties, Apex Advertising, Clark Associates, Diesel Pro, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. - HRG, Lancaster Civil Engineering Co., Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania, WellSpan Health, and Deerin Companies.

Thank you also to Nimblist, Triode Media Group Ltd, TAIT, and Whitestone Branding for their in-kind support of Trail Fest.

Trail Fest is this Saturday, October 17th at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve! Get your tickets now at ➑ https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest/ and join us for live music, food and drinks, and opportunities to learn about hiking and our natural lands! 🌳

Lancaster Conservancy Trail Fest celebrates the ways we connect with nature and experience the many benefits of spending time outdoors.

From the toads on the ground to the birds in the trees and everything in between, Trail Fest celebrates nature and the t...
10/13/2026

From the toads on the ground to the birds in the trees and everything in between, Trail Fest celebrates nature and the trails that connect us with the outdoors! 🐦 Show off your love of nature with the 2026 Trail Fest t-shirt, designed by Libby Modern of Modern Art!

Trail Fest is this Saturday, October 17th, at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve. Join us for live music, food and drinks, and plenty of outdoor fun for the whole family!

🎟 Learn more and get tickets to Trail Fest: https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest/

πŸ‘• Order a Trail Fest t-shirt: https://store.lancasterconservancy.org/collections/shirts/products/trail-fest-2026-t-shirt (Limited sizes will also be available for purchase at the event.)

Fuel up at Trail Fest with food from Traveling J’s, Tipsy Boar BBQ, and Mezcla Ice Cream and b**r and c***r from Collusi...
10/10/2026

Fuel up at Trail Fest with food from Traveling J’s, Tipsy Boar BBQ, and Mezcla Ice Cream and b**r and c***r from Collusion Tap Works! πŸ”πŸ¦

We can't wait to see you at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve next Saturday, October 17th for Trail Fest! Get your tickets today at https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest/

πŸ“Έ: Michelle Johnsen

The 17th annual Dine on Harvest Moon was an incredible celebration of nature and the work we do, together, to create pla...
10/09/2026

The 17th annual Dine on Harvest Moon was an incredible celebration of nature and the work we do, together, to create places where both wildlife and people can thrive! 🐦🌳🧑

Thanks to the amazing generosity of this community, over $500,000 was raised through Dine on Harvest Moon sponsorships, tickets, raffle, live auction, in kind contributions, and donations to help the Conservancy continue protecting and restoring our wildlands and providing access to nature.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who chooses to be part of this work. THANK YOU!

πŸ“Έ: Nick Gould Photography

10/08/2026

Celebrate all the ways we connect with nature during Trail Fest on October 17th! 🌳 Join us at Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve for live music, educational Trailside Talks, a Nature Discovery Walk, food, drinks, ice cream, and opportunities to expand your outdoors knowledge.

Get your tickets 🎟 now at lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest!

πŸŽ₯: Video by Natural Light Films

Expand your nature knowledge with a Trailside Talk during Trail Fest!πŸ”Ž 1:30 - 2:15 | A Hike Through Time - Landscape Det...
10/07/2026

Expand your nature knowledge with a Trailside Talk during Trail Fest!

πŸ”Ž 1:30 - 2:15 | A Hike Through Time - Landscape Detectives with Peggy Eppig, Lancaster Conservancy: Learn how to tell the story of our trailside landscapes by deciphering visible clues from the past.

🐦 2:30 - 3:15 | Canaries in the Landscape - What Birds Tell Us About Habitat Health with David Arrow, York Audubon Society: Discover how the birds we see - and those we don’t - reveal clues about the quality of a habitat.

🌳 3:30 - 4:15 | Eco-Restoration Through Time with Keith Williams, Lancaster Conservancy: Explore how humans can restore nature and heal our relationship with it.

Gather your family and friends and join us at Trail Fest for live music, food and drinks, and opportunities to connect with the outdoors! Trail Fest is October 17th at the Ingrid Graham Historic Hellam Nature Preserve.

🎟 Learn more and get tickets at https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest/

πŸ“Έ: Michelle Johnsen

Bring your friends, your family, and your picnic blankets and chairs, and get ready to enjoy some great music in the gre...
10/06/2026

Bring your friends, your family, and your picnic blankets and chairs, and get ready to enjoy some great music in the great outdoors at Trail Fest on October 17th! 🎢🌳

Catch Mark Rast & Leo DiSanto at 3:00 with an eclectic mix of music influenced by bluegrass, folk, rock and everything else.

Then at 4:30, Cumberland Honey will hit the stage, bringing sweet harmonies with folk and soul influences and a taste of bluegrass.

Trail Fest is a celebration of our natural lands and all the ways we connect with the outdoors! Learn more and get tickets at ➑ https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest/

πŸ“Έ: Band photos courtesy of Cumberland Honey and Mark Rast

Fall is a fantastic time to get outdoors, whether you’re enjoying the colorful foliage and the crisp, cool air, or takin...
09/29/2026

Fall is a fantastic time to get outdoors, whether you’re enjoying the colorful foliage and the crisp, cool air, or taking in the newly revealed views once the trees have lost their leaves. To make the most out of your time outdoors while minimizing your impact on the environments you’re enjoying, follow these tips for safe and smart nature excursions this fall:

πŸ‚ Wear orange
πŸ‚ Plan ahead by studying a trail map and checking the forecast
πŸ‚ Pack water and snacks
πŸ‚ Don't pick plants
πŸ‚ Stay on designated trails
πŸ‚ Pack it in, pack it out
πŸ‚ Keep dogs on leash
πŸ‚ Respect other visitors

Check out more tips for enjoying the outdoors respectfully and responsibly ➑ https://www.lancasterconservancy.org/news/enjoying-fall-outdoors-respectfully-and-responsibly/

πŸ“Έ: Kellys Run Nature Preserve by Nick Gould

Address

117 S West End Avenue
Lancaster, PA
17603

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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