Our hiking trails are free and open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from dawn to dusk. The Sanctuary maintains 640 acres with 8.5 miles of interconnecting trails.
Our Nature Center, located at the entrance to our preserve, is home to live animals (including rabbits, birds, and turtles) and educational exhibits. Our two restrooms are located within the Nature Center. Entry is free and the building is open 7 days a week, 9 AM - 5 PM. There are picnic tables located around the Nature Center which are ideal for eating your lunch and for bird watching.
Our Store is located in our Nature Center. We sell books, t-shirts, genuine New York Maple Syrup, and more. Purchases help support Westmoreland’s trails, conservation work, and educational programs. All members receive a 10% discount on regularly-priced store items.
We also have a Terrace Garden, located next to our Nature Center. This fully fenced-in area features a pond which is home to frogs and turtles. It also has a playhouse and benches and is ideal for picnicking. The Garden is a favorite of small children, their parents, and individuals who need a place to relax. It is also wheelchair accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Our trails, parking and Nature Center are free. Generous donations by our visitors help maintain the preserve and are deeply appreciated. Donations can be made at the Nature Center, one of our kiosks, or online.
Yes. Additionally, our trail intersections have permanent maps and are numbered to help you orient yourself. We also have trail maps available at our kiosks, inside the Nature Center, and online trail map.
The Easy Loop trail (the tan trail on our map) is great for kids and takes you down to Bechtel Lake.
Yes. 139 species of birds have been documented at Westmoreland Sanctuary. We have a variety of habitats including fields, forest, streams, and three different ponds. These are home to diverse birdlife including warblers, sparrows, raptors, and waterfowl.
In our Nature Center, we have a bird-watching window and comfortable couches located on the second floor. This window looks out onto our feeders where you can see birds such as American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, and Baltimore Orioles.
We also have nesting boxes located in Wheeler Field which are utilised by different songbirds, including Eastern Bluebirds.
Westmoreland also is a federally licensed bird-banding station. We have partnered with Westchester Community College for their Nature & the Environment series. We offer bird banding, winter tree identification, salamander study, and snake study.
- No dogs
- No smoking
- No alcohol
- No littering
- No fires or barbecues
- No camping, skiing, ice skating, swimming, bicycling, or motorized vehicles
- No fishing, hunting, or trapping
- No collecting plants, animals, or natural objects
We love seeing and caring for our wildlife friends and we cannot do that effectively if we allow dogs on to the preserve.
Dogs scare away the very animals we work to protect. The dogs’ predator smell will linger for hours, days, and even weeks afterwards– driving away other animals, sometimes permanently.
Our water is clean and potable (rated AA-S by the NYS Department of Conservation) and is used by over 100,000 residences in New York and Connecticut. Dog waste accounts for as much 30% of the bacteria found in reservoirs. It is important that our water remains clean for our wildlife and people like you.
- Westmoreland Sanctuary follows all New York State Parks and Recreation COVID-19 Guidelines
- All visitors must maintain a 6 ft. distance
- All visitors must wear masks when inside the Nature Center
- Westmoreland’s Nature Center is operating at 25% of maximum occupancy
- Appropriate signage has been posted throughout Westmoreland’s Nature Center to remind visitors about hygiene, social distancing and face covering protocols
BOOKS
- Birding, Gardening, and Hiking Guides
- Plant and Critter Identification Guides
GIFTS
- Jewelry
- Westmoreland tees
- Westmoreland hats
- Wildflower packets
- Animal stationery
CHILDREN'S ITEMS
- Books
- Animal Figures
- Bracelets
- Toys
Yes, all members receive a 10% discount.
Westmoreland is closed for the following holidays:
- New Year's Eve & New Year's Day
- Thanksgiving and the Friday following Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
No, the care of injured wildlife is only allowed to be done by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. These individuals are licensed by the State of NY to take care for injured wildlife. For a list of wildlife rehabilitators visit the Department of Environmental Conservation website to find a rehabilitator in your area.