Native species planting in West Chester, Pennsylvania

Natural Lands' Stroud Preserve is a beautiful park and tourist attraction located at 454 North Creek Road in West Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. This unique preserve is a mix of grasslands, farmlands, and woodlands that provides a perfect balance between human needs and nature conservation. The 332-acre preserve was established in 1990 by Dr. Morris Stroud, who bequeathed his Georgia Farm to Natural Lands. Since then, the preserve has expanded through donations and purchases of neighboring properties. The history of Stroud Preserve dates back to the founding of the colony, with the stone farmhouse built in 1740 listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The preserve also serves as a long-term study site for the Stroud Water Research Center, conducting groundbreaking research on streams and rivers. Scientists from the Center have set up experiments to evaluate the impact of riparian forest buffers on water quality.