Mianus River Gorge
The Stamford Garden Club, Zone II
1958 Founders Fund Winner
The Mianus River Gorge Preserve, carved by the last advance of the Pleistocene Glaciers and established as a preserve in 1953, is an oasis of rich woodland and old-growth hemlock forest. It was the first Nature Conservancy land project and the first National Natural History Landmark designated by the US Department of the Interior.
The 1958 Founders Fund Award went to build a shelter located at the entrance to the Gorge. This building protects the topographical maps and exhibits. It offers visitors a place to learn about the delicate ecology and natural history of the Preserve as well as keep informed about ongoing research and educational initiatives. The Award also established scientific plant labels along the hiking trails.
A private preserve, the Gorge today covers more than 750 acres and is open to the public from April 1 through November 30 for hiking only on 5 miles of guided trails. They close for the winter to allow the trails to rest and limited staff to focus on the Preserve’s other priorities of research, education, and land protection
