The Boquet River Nature Preserve
The Boquet River Nature Preserve is a 110-acre preserve owned by the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The preserve protects more than half a mile of shoreline on the Boquet River below Willsboro falls to Lake Champlain, as well as many different natural communities.
Along the river’s edge, a floodplain forest is home to American sycamore trees that are more than 200 years old, as well as ash and hemlock trees. The floodplain is a dynamic system that bolsters climate resiliency, provides natural protection during flooding events, and provides habitat for birds and mammals.
The Boquet River Nature Preserve is a 110-acre preserve owned by the Adirondack Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. The preserve protects more than half a mile of shoreline on the Boquet River below Willsboro falls to Lake Champlain, as well as many different natural communities.
Along the river’s edge, a floodplain forest is home to American sycamore trees that are more than 200 years old, as well as ash and hemlock trees. The floodplain is a dynamic system that bolsters climate resiliency, provides natural protection during flooding events, and provides habitat for birds and mammals.
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Trails
The property’s professionally designed trail network brings visitors through both floodplain and upland forests. The network consists of three sections including the River Trail, Southern Connector Trail, and the Universal Access Trail Loop. The 1.5-mile Universal Access Trail has been designed and built per the Federal Trail Accessibility Guidelines under the Architectural Barriers Act. Its crushed stone surface can accommodate walkers, runners, strollers, and wheelchairs. The river trail provides multiple water access points for anglers on the Boquet River where landlocked salmon run to spawn twice each year. |
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Activities
Healthy environments are linked to healthy communities. The Boquet River Nature Preserve is intended for sustainable recreational and educational day use. Many activities including hiking, fishing, bird-watching, photography, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing are encouraged on the preserve. Dogs are allowed, but must be in the owner’s control at all times. ATV use on the property is not permitted. The Town of Willsboro and The Nature Conservancy are working together to make the preserve more accessible and connected to the community. In 2015, the Conservancy, town and school held a naming contest for the preserve, and local second grader, Cora King, submitted the winning entry: The Boquet River Nature Preserve. It was commonly referred to as “Big Woods” before being renamed. (Press Release link: http://www.pressrepublican.com/news/local_news/willsboro-central-second-grader-names-nature-preserve/article_2513454c-6a8a-5594-a465-3217d3d4e0e8.html) |
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Access & Parking
There are currently two entrances into the preserve. The uplands entrance on South Library Street behind the Champlain Valley Senior Community Center and the Paine Memorial Library uses the former school basketball court as a parking area. There is also a smaller parking lot with handicapped accessible spots just within the preserve boundary line. The second entrance is at the end of Gilliland Lane at the Willsboro Boat Launch. |
for more information, visit:
https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/places-preserves/boquet-river-nature-preserve.xml
https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/newyork/places-preserves/boquet-river-nature-preserve.xml
