Stroud Preserve in West Chester is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations among the nature preserves under the protection of Media nonprofit Natural Lands, writes Dan Geringer for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The 571-acre preserve has miles of hilly meadows, woodlands, and an emerging wetland, all of which are open to visitors from dawn to dusk throughout the year.

The wetland part of the preserve was created by draining a farm pond seven years ago and allowing nature to retake the land. The process was helped by Jarrod Shull, manager of Stroud Preserve, who planted hundreds of native shrubs and wildflowers.

Natural Lands has 43 nature preserves in the Delaware Valley, 23 of which are currently being revitalized. The total preserved space covers an impressive 24,000 acres across 13 counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

According to Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands, the majority of its preserves were put together piece by piece. She added that the priority for Natural Lands is the ongoing expansion of its preserves.

“We’re looking to create contiguous corridors of open space,” said Morrison.

Read more about Natural Lands in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.