Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area

Geobox Protected Area
name = Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = Pennsylvania State Park
category_iucn = III


image_caption =
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = the donor, Alex Boyd
country = United States
state = Pennsylvania
region_type = County
region = Dauphin
district_type = Townships
district = Lower Paxton
district1 = Middle Paxton
city =
location =
lat_d = 40
lat_m = 21
lat_s = 18
lat_NS = N
long_d = 76
long_m = 51
long_s = 29
long_EW = W
location_note = cite web
url=Gnis3|2351523
title=Boyd Big Tree Conservation Area
date = August 30 2007
work=Geographic Names Information System
publisher=United States Geological Survey
accessdate=2008-04-03]
elevation_imperial = 866
elevation_round = 1
elevation_note =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 949
area_round = 1
area_note =
area1_imperial =
area1_type =
length_imperial =
length_orientation =
width_imperial =
width_orientation =
highest =
highest location =
highest_lat_d =
highest_lat_m =
highest_lat_s =
highest_lat_NS =
highest_long_d =
highest_long_m =
highest_long_s =
highest_long_EW =
highest_elevation_imperial =
lowest =
lowest_location =
lowest_lat_d =
lowest_lat_m =
lowest_lat_s =
lowest_lat_NS =
lowest_long_d =
lowest_long_m =
lowest_long_s =
lowest_long_EW =
lowest_elevation_imperial =
biome =
biome_share =
biome1 =
biome1_share =
geology =
geology1 =
plant =
plant1 =
animal =
animal1 =
established_type =
established = 1999
management_body = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
management_location =
management_lat_d =
management_lat_m =
management_lat_s =
management_lat_NS =
management_long_d =
management_long_m =
management_long_s =
management_long_EW =
management_elevation =
visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type = Nearest city
free = Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area in Pennsylvania
map_locator = Pennsylvania
map_first = yes
website = [http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/boydbigtree.aspx Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area]

Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area is a convert|949|acre|km2|2|adj=on Pennsylvania State Park in Lower Paxton and Middle Paxton Townships, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The land for the conservation area was donated to the state by real estate developer Alex Boyd in 1999. Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area is a sanctuary for mature trees and an environment education study area. The park is on Blue Mountain just off Pennsylvania Route 443.

Conservation Area

A conservation area is different from a state park. Conservation areas have much less development on the lands than a state park. They are large tracts of land with few improvements, a lack of through roads and the recreational facilities are minimal. There is an effort to manage the resources with minimal development of the park. Other conservation areas in Pennsylvania are the nearby Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area and Varden Conservation Area in Wayne County.cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/boydbigtree.aspx
title = Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
accessdate = 2006-11-25
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources]

Wildlife

The large mature trees and thick woods of Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area make it and ideal habitat for a large variety of woodland creatures. The park is home to white-tailed deer, black bear, turkeys, ruffed grouse and squirrels. Bluebirds and warblers can also be observed at Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area. There is an observation area on Blue Mountain where bird watchers can see the annual migration of hawks.

Recreation

Trails

All convert|10.6|mi|2 of trails at Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area are open to hiking and cross-country skiing.cite web
url = http://www.pennlive.com/outdoors/patriotnews/index.ssf?/outdoors/stories/hotontrail_01.html
title = Path to better health begins with walk at Big Boyd Tree
accessdate = 2006-11-25
publisher = The Patriot News at www.pennlive.com]

* Coach Trail is convert|0.9|mi|2 in length. It is marked with yellow blazes and is a designated "easy" trail. Coach Trail runs along the base of Blue Mountain to the western edge of the park.

* Creek Trail is convert|0.9|mi|2 in length. It is marked with blue blazes and is a designated "moderate" trail. Creek Trail follows the western edge of the park.

* East Loop Trail is convert|1.9|mi|2 in length. It is marked with lime green blazes and is a designated "moderate" trail. East Loop Trail is on the eastern end of the park.

* Janie Trail is convert|2.5|mi|2 in length. It is marked with red blazes and is a designated "difficult" trail. Janie Trail is the longest trail in the park and follows the ridgeline and descends the mountain on a steep slope.

* Upper Spring Trail is convert|2|mi|2 in length. It is marked with beige blazes and is a designated "moderate" trail. Upper Spring Trail passes by some of the largest and oldest oak, hickory, and beech trees in the park.

* Lower Spring Trail is convert|1.1|mi|2 in length. It is marked with lavendar blazes and is a designated "easy" trail. Lower Spring Trail passes through the center of the conservation area.

* Pond Loop Trail is convert|1.2|mi|2 in length. It is marked with pink blazes and is a designated "easy" trail. Pond Loop Trail circles a spring fed pond that is home to many types of amphibians.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted on about convert|800|acre|km2|2 of Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area. Hunters are expected to follow the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The common game species are ruffed grouse, squirrels, turkey, white-tailed deer, rabbits and black bears. The hunting of groundhogs is prohibited.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|0 of Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area: [cite web
url = http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/region_dutch.aspx
title = Map reference for Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area
accessdate = 2006-11-25
publisher = Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources] [cite map |scale = 1:65,000| publisher= Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Planning and Research, Geographic Information Division
url= ftp://ftp.dot.state.pa.us/public/pdf/BPR_pdf_files/Maps/GHS/Roadnames/dauphin_GHSN.PDF
title= 2007 General Highway Map Dauphin County Pennsylvania
accessdate= 2007-07-27 "Note: shows Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area"] cite web
last = Michels
first = Chris
year = 1997
url = http://www2.nau.edu/~cvm/latlongdist.html
title = Latitude/Longitude Distance Calculation
publisher = Northern Arizona University
accessdate = 2008-04-20]
*Gifford Pinchot State Park (York County)
*Joseph E. Ibberson Conservation Area (Dauphin County)
*Little Buffalo State Park (Perry County)
*Memorial Lake State Park (Lebanon County)
*Swatara State Park (Lebanon County) and (Schuylkill County)

References

External links

*