Wawa Preserve

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Wawa Preserve The 98-acre Wawa Preserve was once used to graze cattle for the Wawa Dairy. Today, it is preserved forever. Learn more at www.natlands.org.

See our website for more information including our history, a trail map, and hours of operation. Wawa Preserve is owned by Natural Lands and operated in partnership with Middletown Township. Parts of the property were once used to graze cattle for the Wawa Dairy. Visitors can enjoy trails that traverse a variety of habitats, including dense woodlands along Rocky Run Creek and sunny meadows filled with milkweed, goldenrod, and little bluestem. Wawa Preserve is owned by non-profit conservation organization Natural Lands.

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” — Elizabeth Lawrence 📸: Tianna Godsey
10/22/2026

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” — Elizabeth Lawrence

📸: Tianna Godsey

It's that oh-so special time of year again...time to leave the leaves! Really, the entire food chain benefits from leaf ...
10/15/2026

It's that oh-so special time of year again...time to leave the leaves! Really, the entire food chain benefits from leaf litter come winter. Fallen leaves provide vital habitat to overwintering insects, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Leaf litter also makes for wonderful nesting material and insulation for our den-dwellers like groundhogs. Then, of course, our larger mammals such as foxes and coyotes still need to hunt, and where are many of their go-to meals hiding out? You guessed it, the leaves!

Help a firefly make it to summer. Feed a fox. Do it for the salamanders.

Even if you live in a small space, leaf litter can be fastened to containers, window boxes, and raised garden beds with chicken wire. It's just one of those things where every little bit helps.

Happy fall, all!

P.S. Don't feel too guilty if you still need to mow some...leaves become excellent dirt!

📸: Image designed by hand and in-house by Brittni Hribar, Senior Graphic Designer

10/12/2026

In the general election this November, Delaware County voters will have the unprecedented opportunity to protect the water, natural areas, and wildlife right in their own backyards.

Delco, we humbly encourage you to vote YES to the Delaware County Water Quality, Natural Areas, and Wildlife Habitat Protection referendum.

Share with your Delco family and friends.

Follow Vote Yes Delco Water & Land.

Visit the website https://www.voteyesdelcowater.org/ for more info and FAQs.

Thanks, all! We have seen what the power of community can do. Now let's get out there and preserve more of our beautiful region 💚

American persimmons are absolutely beloved by our native wildlife! Skunks, foxes, black bears, turkeys, woodpeckers...al...
09/25/2026

American persimmons are absolutely beloved by our native wildlife! Skunks, foxes, black bears, turkeys, woodpeckers...all these critters (and many more) enjoy this fall fruit.

That’s why we kindly ask all our visitors not to forage. The wild fruits (and other foods) of our preserves belong to the wildlife who call our properties home.

State parks, however, do allow foraging for those who are interested.

📸: Rachel Rhodes

The owls have some competition...this might be one of the most photogenic raptors we’ve ever seen 😍 📸: Red-tailed hawk b...
09/18/2026

The owls have some competition...this might be one of the most photogenic raptors we’ve ever seen 😍

📸: Red-tailed hawk by Bill Moses

Meadows hold interest throughout the year, but they definitely have a moment in fall! Blooming goldenrod, ironweed, rudb...
09/11/2026

Meadows hold interest throughout the year, but they definitely have a moment in fall! Blooming goldenrod, ironweed, rudbeckia, and other perennials provide important late-season nectar for our pollinators, some of which are preparing to migrate, currently migrating, or otherwise prepping for the winter ahead.

But also...meadows in fall are just so gosh-darn pretty.

📸: Jim Moffett

Catch bugs! Climb trees! Flip rocks! No, these are not new family-friendly curses. They're simple things anyone and ever...
09/04/2026

Catch bugs! Climb trees! Flip rocks! No, these are not new family-friendly curses. They're simple things anyone and everyone can do with their kids to keep them engaged in the outdoors amidst the chaos of the back-to-school season. And let's be honest...you could probably benefit from a little extra time outdoors, too.

Other fun nature-play ideas include:

🗺️ Treasure hunting. Hide a natural treasure, then make a map showing where to find it.

🧚‍♀️ Crafting a magical residence. Fairy house, gnome home, or toad abode, make a tiny house for the other residents of your yard...real or fiction!

⛵️ Building a natural boat. Is it a pirate ship? Vikings? Make two (or more) and race them down a stream.

🪵 Constructing something together. A swing, a shelter, or a simple hammock, it doesn’t need to be grand.

🛶 Kayaking. A classic!

Bonus tip: Just be present. Whether it's the playground after school or the sidelines of a soccer field, nature can be found almost anywhere by those who go looking for it.

📸: S. Badiyah Austin

Enjoy the last few days of August!📸: Mae Axelrod
08/26/2026

Enjoy the last few days of August!

📸: Mae Axelrod

Hello, frog!📸: Mae Axelrod
08/19/2026

Hello, frog!

📸: Mae Axelrod

In 1890, George Wood established a 1,000-acre farm at what is now Wawa Preserve. The fertile land was ideal grazing for ...
08/12/2026

In 1890, George Wood established a 1,000-acre farm at what is now Wawa Preserve. The fertile land was ideal grazing for Wood’s herd of Guernsey cows. The location allowed for delivery of fresh, raw milk to homes throughout the Philadelphia region. Thus, Wawa Dairy was founded.

The land became Wawa Preserve in 1973 when George Wood’s youngest daughter gifted a portion of the family’s “Home Farm” to Natural Lands.

The word “wawa” is an Ojibwe word meaning “wild goose” that was given to this area not by Native peoples but by a European settler who lived nearby.

📸: Mae Axelrod

Address

127 Valley Road
Media, PA
19063

Telephone

+16103535587

Website

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