Deer Lick Nature Sanctuary is a protected forest and gorge in
Cattaraugus County
Cattaraugus County (locally known as Catt County) is a county in Western New York, with one side bordering Pennsylvania. As of the United States 2020 census, the population was 77,042. The county seat is Little Valley. The county was created ...
,
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
. The preserve is within
Zoar Valley
Zoar Valley is an area of deep gorges along the Main and South branches of Cattaraugus Creek in western New York, United States. The valley is located along the border of Erie County and Cattaraugus County, roughly between the villages of Gowanda ...
near
Gowanda, and is managed by
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. it works via affiliates or branches in 79 countries and territories, as well as across every state in the US.
Founded in 1951, The Natu ...
.
History
Deer Lick Nature Sanctuary was created by a donation from Miss Evelyn Alverson to
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. it works via affiliates or branches in 79 countries and territories, as well as across every state in the US.
Founded in 1951, The Natu ...
in 1960 with a further donation of Deer Lick Falls by Herbert F. Darling. It was designated a
National Natural Landmark in November 1967 for its mature hardwood forest and its gorges which highlight the
Onondaga Escarpment
The Onondaga Limestone is a group of hard limestones and dolomites of Devonian age that form an important geographic feature in some areas in which it outcrops; in others, especially its Southern Ontario portion, the formation can be less promine ...
.
As of 2005, the preserve covered , of which contain
old-growth forest
An old-growth forestalso termed primary forest, virgin forest, late seral forest, primeval forest, or first-growth forestis a forest that has attained great age without significant disturbance, and thereby exhibits unique ecological featur ...
.
The south fork of the
Cattaraugus Creek runs alongside part of the preserve. In 2006 the preserve expanded via grants and purchases. There are of hiking trails open to the public.
See also
*
List of National Natural Landmarks in New York
__NOTOC__
The National Natural Landmarks in New York include 28 of the almost 600 National Natural Landmarks (NNLs) in the United States. Twenty-six landmarks are contained entirely within New York; the two exceptions are the Palisades of the Huds ...
References
External links
The Nature Conservancy: Deer Lick Conservation Area
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National Natural Landmarks in New York (state)
Nature Conservancy preserves in New York (state)
Nature reserves in New York (state)
Protected areas of Cattaraugus County, New York