Deer Lick Nature Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
Deer Lick Nature Sanctuary in Cattaraugus County, New York
is a protected forest and gorge in the Zoar Valley near Gowanda, New York
. It was created by a donation from Miss Evelyn Alverson to the Nature Conservancy in 1960 with a further donation by Herbert F. Darling of Deer Lick Falls. It was designated a National Natural Landmark
in November 1967 for its mature hardwood forest and its gorges which highlight the Onondaga Escarpment .
It currently contains 398 acres (1.6 km²), 80 of which contain old-growth forest. The South fork of the Cattaraugus Creek
runs alongside part of the preserve. In 2006 the preserve expanded via grants and purchases. There are 10.6 miles (17.1 km) of hiking trails open to the public.
Cattaraugus County, New York
Cattaraugus County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 80,317. The county seat is Little Valley.-History:...
is a protected forest and gorge in the Zoar Valley near Gowanda, New York
Gowanda, New York
Gowanda is a village in New York in the United States and lies partly in Erie County and partly in Cattaraugus County. The population was 2,842 at the 2000 census. The name is a local native term meaning "almost surrounded by hills" or "beautiful place among the hills...
. It was created by a donation from Miss Evelyn Alverson to the Nature Conservancy in 1960 with a further donation by Herbert F. Darling of Deer Lick Falls. It was designated a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
in November 1967 for its mature hardwood forest and its gorges which highlight the Onondaga Escarpment .
It currently contains 398 acres (1.6 km²), 80 of which contain old-growth forest. The South fork of the Cattaraugus Creek
Cattaraugus Creek
Cattaraugus Creek is a stream, approximately 68 miles long, in western New York in the United States. The creek drains a wooded rural portion of western New York southwest of Buffalo into Lake Erie. In its lower course it flows primarily through the Cattaraugus Reservation of the Seneca tribe...
runs alongside part of the preserve. In 2006 the preserve expanded via grants and purchases. There are 10.6 miles (17.1 km) of hiking trails open to the public.
Flora and fauna
- Tiger BeetleTiger beetleThe tiger beetles are a large group of beetles known for their aggressive predatory habits and running speed. The fastest species of tiger beetle can run at a speed of 9 km/h , which, relative to its body length, is about 22 times the speed of former Olympic sprinter Michael Johnson, the...
- Sand DarterPercidaeThe Percidae are a family of perciform fish found in fresh and brackish waters of the Northern Hemisphere. The family contains about 200 species in ten genera...
- Steelhead
- Black BearAmerican black bearThe American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
- Bald Eagles
- Sugar MapleSugar MapleAcer saccharum is a species of maple native to the hardwood forests of northeastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario, and south to Georgia and Texas...
- American beechAmerican BeechFagus grandifolia, also known as American Beech or North american beech, is a species of beech native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to southern Ontario in southeastern Canada, west to Wisconsin and south to eastern Texas and northern Florida in the United States. Trees in the...
- Black Cherry