The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Association have signed a new 35-year management agreement for Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, a part of Washington Crossing Historic Park.
On Wednesday, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn visited the 134-acre preserve to announce the lease agreement, which allows the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve Association to continue operating and improving the site while maintaining public ownership.
“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,” Dunn said. “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.”
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is the only accredited museum in the United States dedicated solely to native plants, with approximately 60 species classified as rare, threatened, or endangered.
“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.”
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat, expressed his support for the agreement and noted the importance of preserving local natural resources.
“Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is treasure of Bucks County, and I am thrilled it will remain a part of Washington Crossing Historic Park through a new partnership with DCNR,” 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, which features a native plant nursery, over five miles of trails, educational programs, and naturalist-guided tours.
“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.”
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is part of the 500-acre Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield and Solebury townships, a National Historic Landmark that preserves the site of George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolution. The park includes historic buildings, walking paths, picnic pavilions, fishing, non-motorized boat launching, and hosts special events and re-enactments.
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