​State Approves 35-Year Lease With Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve

SOLEBURY TOWNSHIP, PA — The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has approved a 35-year lease agreement with the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve at Washington Crossing Historic Park.

“This preserve is such a special place and DCNR is excited to cement our partnership with Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Association through this new lease,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn, who visited the preserve this week to celebrate the new lease. “We thank the association for its continued positive stewardship of the preserve’s resources and look forward to seeing its impact through the next two generations and beyond.”

The lease agreement allows Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Association, Inc. to continue to operate and improve the 134-acre preserve for the next 35 years while still maintaining public ownership.

State officials tour the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve this week. (DCNR)

“Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve represents the incredible biodiversity, rich habitat, and magnificent beauty of Pennsylvania’s natural heritage,” Bowman’s Hill Preserve Executive Director Peter Couchman said. “With Pennsylvania Native Species Day happening tomorrow, May 16, we are thrilled to be able to celebrate our DCNR partnership with everyone. The preserve is home to more than 700 of the state’s native plant species - all held in the public trust - and is the best place in the state to witness and learn how Pennsylvania native plants support our shared environment.”

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is the only accredited museum in the country dedicated solely to native plants, all growing in sustainable, recognized plant communities. Among the preserve’s plants are approximately 60 species that are classified as either rare, threatened, or endangered.

“Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is a treasure of Bucks County, and I am thrilled it will remain a part of Washington Crossing Historic Park through a new partnership with DCNR,” state Senator Steve Santarsiero said. “Our state park system represents the best of Pennsylvania - a strong respect for our region’s rich history, our beautiful natural landscape, and incredible biodiversity. I proudly support growing our investments in our state parks to bolster critical partnerships like the one between Bowman’s Hill and DCNR, which will preserve hundreds of native species and plants and make them available to our community and visitors.”

This year marks the 90th anniversary of Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. Open all year, the preserve features a native plant nursery, more than five miles of trails, education programs, and naturalist-guided tours for visitors to enjoy.

Wildflowers peep through the green landscape at the preserve. (DCNR)

“The preserve is the perfect complement to the history at Washington Crossing,” State Parks Regional Manager Brian Taylor said. “I am hopeful that park visitors looking to learn more about our nation’s birth will also visit the pristine preserve and learn more about native plants and flowers.”

The preserve is operated as a part of the 500-acre Washington Crossing Historic Park, which preserves the site of George Washington’s dramatic crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolution and is a National Historic Landmark.

The scenic park includes historic buildings, walking paths, picnic pavilions, fishing, non-motorized boat launching, historical and environmental education programs, and hosts special events and re-enactments.