Nightingale Forest Preserve

Formed when the final phase of the Townshend project was completed, the Nightingale Preserve is comprised of multiple, now adjacent preserves: The 86 acre Cartier Preserve, the 68 acre Potrzeba Preserve, and the 1018 acre Townshend Preserve, as well at the 112 acre Cabbage Hill Preserve and 46 acre DiIorio Preserve, connecting to form the 1300 acre Nightingale Forest Preserve complex.

Hiking trails are available on the northern portion of the Townshend section and on the Cartier and Potrzeba sections. Due to the sensitive nature of 18th and 19th century cultural remains and past vandalism, the southern section of the Townshend portion is only available for pre-arranged and guided events. Please check the Last Green Valley Walktober schedule for guided historical tours in the fall.

The Nightingale Forest is part of a vital and large undeveloped area of forested habitat covering several thousand acres that is important for storing carbon and fighting climate change. The diversity of birds is very high—an indication of the health and the size of the forest. Species like black-throated blue warblers, hooded warblers, black-throated green warblers, and scarlet tanagers breed here. Bird species not found in most parts of our area are attracted to the large stands of thick mountain laurel, where they nest and raise their young.