The Hebron Nature Preserve, donated to the Pember Library and Museum in 1979, encompasses 125 acres of forest, wetland and fields on both sides of Black Creek, a tributary of the Battenkill. The mission of the Pember Nature Preserve is to provide a refuge for the region's native wildlife and plant species.  

Over two miles of trails wind through the Preserve, marked by a system of blazes and wooden signs.  Visitors to the marsh walk on elevated walkways and a footbridge is over Black Creek.  An observation platform at the edge of Black Creek allows people to observe wetland wildlife.  In 1987, at the Granville School District deeded the Porter Schoolhouse to the Pember Library and Museum for use as a nature education center.  The neglected one room schoolhouse has been restored and has been in use as a classroom since 1990.  The Porter Schoolhouse is one point of entry to the Preserve; the other is located at the south side of the Preserve on South Grimes Hill Road.

The Preserve is under the umbrella organization of the Pember and the Museum staff function also as the Preserve staff.  Seasonal naturalists are hired for the summer months, and function as staff for the Porter Schoolhouse, offering special programs and hikes each weekend during the summer.

Seven nature trails are available for use at the Preserve, open year round from dawn to dusk.  Individual walks range from .25 miles to almost 2 miles, varying from easy strolls to moderate hikes.  Trail maps are available at both entrances to the Preserve and at the Pember Museum.  No emergency telephone, toilet or drinking water facilities are available at the Preserve.

The Pember Library and Museum of Natural History maintain the Hebron Nature Preserve as an outdoor education classroom and a sanctuary for native plants and animals. We are conserving a variety of natural habitats, and developing the preserve in a way that will serve the public interest and have limited impact on its natural character.

The Pember Nature Preserve is located eight miles south of Granville on Route 22.

Wild Turkey, Great Horned Owl, River Otter, Wood Duck, Canada Geese, Black Bear, Bobcat, Moose, White Tailed Deer, Black Capped Chickadee, Woodcock, Ruffed Grouse, Wood Turtle, Painted Turtle, Garter Snake, Ribbon Snake, Coyote,  Green Frog, Spotted Salamander, Red Spotted Newt

Year Round - look for tracks in winter

Woodland Wildflowers - Lady Slipper Orchids, Trillium and Jack in the Pulpit

Pember Museum of Natural History

Please observe these rules while visiting the Pember Nature Preserve:

• No hunting, trapping or fishing
• No motor vehicles of any kind
• No horses or pets on trails
• No picnics, camping or fires
• No collecting, picking of flowers or digging of plants

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