Uplands Farm SanctuaryLocation: Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Size: 97 acres
Date of hike: April 8, 2018
Uplands Farm Sanctuary is a former dairy farm complete with a silo and open meadows that were once cattle pastures. It had been a while since I'd hiked anything under the Nature Conservancy's jurisdiction, which is why I selected the sanctuary. I always seem to enjoy the conservancy's properties – particularly Butler-Huntington Woods, Calverton Ponds Preserve and David Weld Sanctuary. Uplands Farm is also located in the hamlet of Cold Spring Harbor, which is home to the superb Cold Spring Harbor State Park, so the probability was high that I'd like hiking the sanctuary. But I didn't like it. I loved it.
Prior to hiking, I familiarized myself with the history and habitats of Uplands Farm Sanctuary, which operated as a dairy farm from 1920-1962. Apparently, the sanctuary's acidic soils are difficult to fertilize and so raising livestock became preferable to cultivation, according to the Nature Conservancy's website. "Historically, these fields were hayed once a year and used to feed the local cattle," the conservancy's website stated. "In colonial times, the land was most likely used in sheep ranching for wool." A woman named Jane Nichols, who was the farm's longtime resident and owner, donated three parcels to the conservancy in the 1970s and additional land was acquired upon her death in 1981. Today, the site is dedicated to Nichols for her commitment to environmental conservation and the farm's brick buildings serve as an office for the Nature Conservancy's Long Island Chapter. The conservancy's steward staff mows the meadow's vegetation every winter to retain its special habitat and historic appearance. "This preserve offers visitors the chance to enjoy a variety of natural habitats and native species," said the organization's website, with the Town of Huntington's trail guide adding that the sanctuary is "ideal for family hikes." Lastly, no dogs are allowed.
The sanctuary's entrance is on the south side of Lawrence Hill Road between Harbor Road and Rogers Drive, with enough parking for about 10 vehicles by the main office. For hikers, the property features nearly 2.5 miles of marked trails that "meander from bird and butterfly meadows, through deciduous forests and into a white pine-shaded ravine," according to the conservancy's website. There are two trails: the Daniel P. Davison Trail and the West Loop, both of which are 1.2 miles in length. The Daniel P. Davison Trail starts in the sanctuary's pretty wildflower meadows, which provides habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals – such as goldenrods, milkweeds and dozens of butterfly species. At its southernmost point, the trail intersects with the West Loop, which traverses a mixed hardwood forest within the sanctuary's western section. For those craving more miles, the loop dips into the adjacent Trail View State Park and links with the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail, a 20-mile path that runs north to south across Long Island. A sanctuary trail map is on the conservancy's site.
The hike's highlights for me included seeing the sanctuary's nest box program, which gives shelter and reproduction opportunities to cavity-nesting birds like tree swallows. "Look for their flashes of metallic blue above the meadow's grasses and wildflowers as they swiftly snatch flying insects from the sky," the conservancy's website said. "The conservancy maintains trails leading to the nest boxes to manage the program, so please stay out of these areas to minimize disturbance." Other birds include bobolinks, meadowlarks and eastern bluebirds, which are the state's bird and usually return in the late winter or early spring to build nests in the preserve's bird boxes and tree cavities. There have also been nearly two dozen species of warblers documented on the land, according the conservancy. Additional highlights were an abandoned house and an old wrecking ball on the West Loop.
Regarding wildlife, you'll find animals ranging from frogs to turtles to spotted salamanders. "Groundhogs have also become common on the preserve, so look for them feeding on the edge of the meadow." As for tree species, you'll see everything from black cherries to red maples to red cedars mixed with ash, oak, black walnut and hickory trees on the Daniel P. Davison Trail. The West Loop boasts dogwoods and extensive thickets of mountain laurel under a canopy of oaks, tulip trees and black birches. In an unrelated topic, I should also note the sanctuary is installing a wastewater treatment system to reduce the amounts of nitrogen entering our groundwater and local waterways in partnership with Suffolk County.
My music on this day was The Neal Morse Band's 2016 release, The Similitude of a Dream, which is a two-disc progressive rock concept album. I was a little skeptical when drummer Mike Portnoy called it "THE" album of his career, but he might be right. I know I mention a lot of music on this blog, but if you ever choose to listen to a record this is the one to pick. Even if the band's future music doesn't match the epic nature of The Similitude of a Dream, I'm incredibly grateful just to own this truly inspirational album. You da' man, Neal Morse.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend that local hikers try to visit the Uplands Farm Sanctuary, particularly if you're a fan of farms and the area's agricultural history. It doesn't disappoint. Frankly, none of the Nature Conservancy's preserves do, if you ask me. Just be ready to crave a delicious glass of milk once you're done exploring this adorable former dairy farm.
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