ChesLen Preserve

ChesLen Preserve Natural Lands ChesLen Preserve is one of the largest private nature preserves in southeastern Pennsy Learn more at www.natlands.org.
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ChesLen Preserve is the largest privately owned nature preserve open to the public in Chester County. Miles of marked hiking trails lead visitors through shady woodlands, flower-filled meadows, fields of corn and soybeans, and stream valleys. Visitors can also explore Ollie Owl’s NaturePlayGround, where young explorers can climb logs, build stick tee-pees, hunt for bugs, explore small streams, and

get a little dirty, tired, and inspired. Free play is encouraged and is a great way for kids to gain an appreciation for nature. ChesLen Preserve is owned and managed by non-profit conservation organization Natural Lands.

The Green Heron is one of the world’s few tool-using bird species. It often creates fishing lures with bread crusts, ins...
06/04/2026

The Green Heron is one of the world’s few tool-using bird species. It often creates fishing lures with bread crusts, insects, and feathers, dropping them on the surface of the water to entice small fish.

📸: John McNamara

Instead of laying eggs, garter snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live, independent young... with some...
05/28/2026

Instead of laying eggs, garter snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live, independent young... with some litters exceeding 80 babies!

📸: John McNamara

Red-winged Blackbirds will mob Turkey Vultures to defend their nesting territories and young. Even though Turkey Vulture...
05/21/2026

Red-winged Blackbirds will mob Turkey Vultures to defend their nesting territories and young. Even though Turkey Vultures are scavengers that rarely eat eggs or chicks, smaller birds perceive any large, soaring bird as a potential threat and use aggressive, coordinated tactics to drive them away.

A pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers can build up to seven nests in a breeding season. They often re-use nest material from ...
05/14/2026

A pair of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers can build up to seven nests in a breeding season. They often re-use nest material from previous nests, which speeds re-nesting. This can be essential to breeding success, since predation, nest parasitism, or mite infestations frequently cause nest loss and brood failure.

📸: John McNamara

After a late frost this past April, the trees are pushing out new leaves quickly now!📸: Jim Moffett
05/07/2026

After a late frost this past April, the trees are pushing out new leaves quickly now!

📸: Jim Moffett

THIS SATURDAY! Lace up those running shoes — ChesLen Chase returns to the preserve this weekend, and the weather looks p...
05/05/2026

THIS SATURDAY! Lace up those running shoes — ChesLen Chase returns to the preserve this weekend, and the weather looks perfect for running.

Kick up your heels for the full 5k or enjoy the 2-mile Fun Run, but be sure to stick around for the post-race party. This family-friendly event features music, craft beer, food, and an awards ceremony.

Head on over to our Events tab to learn more and sign up!

See you at the starting line ⏱️👟

📸 Photo 1: Ed Cunicelli
📸 Photo 2: Adam Hribar

Who else thinks Barn Owls look a little like the Porgs from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"? May the Fourth be with you. 📸: S...
05/04/2026

Who else thinks Barn Owls look a little like the Porgs from "Star Wars: The Last Jedi"? May the Fourth be with you.

📸: Steve Eisenhauer

“Don’t you know what that is? It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want—oh, yo...
04/29/2026

“Don’t you know what that is? It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want—oh, you don’t quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
~ Mark Twain, "Tom Sawyer"

📸: Oliver Bass

Coatesville Area Senior High School, RES, and Natural Lands have teamed up for another year of getting kids out onto the...
04/24/2026

Coatesville Area Senior High School, RES, and Natural Lands have teamed up for another year of getting kids out onto the preserves and into the dirt for Earth Day! Time and time again, we hear how childhood memories like these are what inspire and empower so many life-long conservationists. Said CASH Environmental Science teacher Jonah Gellner: "Thank you for the experience - the kids had nothing but positive reactions to our day. Can’t wait to visit/volunteer again!"

🌲 This tree planting was made possible through the generosity of RES, who provided the saplings planted here at ChesLen Preserve.

🙏 Many thanks to our Preserve Managers Erin Smith and Sean Quinn for their support during the event.

📸 Photos captured by the very talented student photographer Finley Melvin.

Additional thanks to Jon Kasitz, Doug Heydt, and of course — all the students of Coatesville Area School District who spent Earth Day with us!

Lace up those running shoes — ChesLen Chase is returning to the preserve this May! Commit to the full 5K or enjoy the 2-...
04/22/2026

Lace up those running shoes — ChesLen Chase is returning to the preserve this May! Commit to the full 5K or enjoy the 2-mile Fun Run, but make sure to stay for the post-race party. The real fun begins after you cross the finish line 😉

🗓️ When: Saturday, May 9th at 11am
📍 Where: ChesLen Preserve in Chester County, PA

🍻 Pours from East Branch Brewing Company
🍴 Fare from DELCO STEAKS

Pre-registration by Friday, April 24th is required to guarantee shirt size and availability. See our Events tab for more info. On your marks, get set...go register today!

Address

1199 Cannery Road
Coatesville, PA
19320

Telephone

(610) 353-5587

Website

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