On Saturday, Nov. 23, Westchester Land Trust will open the Mill River Preserve, a new 32.4-acre nature preserve in Lewisboro, featuring a diverse mix of wetlands, forest and meadow habitats.
The preserve’s public opening will be celebrated at 11 a.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided hike open to the public.
Mill River Preserve is a distinctive landscape made up of maple and oak forest, a large wetland, river and ponds that create essential habitat for local wildlife, WLT said. It is located within a watershed that supplies drinking water to communities including Stamford, Conn., adding further conservation value to this ecologically important land.
The preserve is accessible and connected by a trail from the neighboring 370-acre Leon Levy Preserve, which is owned by the town of Lewisboro and protected with a WLT conservation easement. Mill River Preserve provides a vital habitat corridor and offers recreation opportunities for the surrounding communities, the land trust said.
Originally donated in 2018 by a local developer, this land is cared for by WLT and is now accessible as part of the organization’s commitment to land conservation and public enjoyment. WLT worked closely with the town of Lewisboro and many dedicated volunteers to create the trail and ready the preserve for the public.
“We’re thrilled to bring Mill River Preserve into our network of protected landscapes with the help of our partners, supporters and irreplaceable volunteers,” said Janelle Robbins, vice president of conservation at Westchester Land Trust. “As caretakers of this land, we’re committed to protecting wildlife habitats, enhancing local water quality, and providing outdoor spaces that connect people to nature.”
As part of WLT’s ongoing forest health initiative, staff and volunteers recently gathered at Mill River Preserve to remove invasive vines that could damage existing trees. This effort, which was launched in January, aims to improve the health of local forests by planting trees, protecting young trees and removing invasive species.
The preserve’s loop trail offers a scenic, family-friendly experience that highlights the area’s many ecological features. “We’ve worked to make Mill River Preserve a welcoming space that invites visitors to explore and enjoy the beauty of our region’s native habitats,” said Ben Kleist, preserve manager at WLT.
“This is an exciting milestone for our town and an important step in protecting the natural resources that make Lewisboro such a special place to live,” added Nicole Caviola, recreation supervisor for the town of Lewisboro.
“The trails at Mill River Preserve serve as a serene sanctuary where people can explore this beautiful landscape and all that it has to offer,” said George Scott, who together with the Lewisboro Trail Volunteers volunteered countless hours to create the trail system at the preserve. “We’re proud to share this special place with residents of Lewisboro and beyond.”
Westchester Land Trust invites the public to the Mill River Preserve guided hike and ribbon cutting, where attendees will learn about the land’s ecology and role in watershed protection.