The Preserve at Vassar encompasses over 500 acres of multi-use space.
Its mission is to deepen our connection to and understanding of the natural world through research, recreation, teaching, and caring for the land.
The Preserve is a biological field station that is home to the following:
The Priscilla Bullitt Collins Research Station is the research and stewardship branch of the Preserve at Vassar. The team manages over 500 acres of protected land, oversees Preserve programming, and connects Vassar faculty and students with hands-on learning in a living natural laboratory.
Address: 328 Vassar Farm Lane
Contact: preserve@vassar.edu
The Vassar Environmental Cooperative is the education and outreach branch of the Preserve at Vassar. The team brings people into the natural world through community programs and organizational partnerships. Its signature program, Exploring Science, engages more than 1,500 children annually in outdoor environmental education.
Address: 50 Vassar Farm Lane
Contact: thecoop@vassar.edu
The Vassar Barn serves as a convening space for community members and houses office and program space for the Vassar Environmental Cooperative. Additionally, the Vassar Barn provides office space for partnering organizations.
Address: 50 Vassar Farm Lane
Contact: thecoop@vassar.edu
The Vassar Community Gardens is a place where individuals can lease a garden plot to grow both produce and flowers. The Community Gardens are self-managed by members supported by Vassar.
Officially The Tony Brown Rugby Field and The Charles Williams ’80 Rugby Field, and Cross-Country 5k, 6k, and 8k courses are on the Preserve. These facilities are open to use by local schools and organizations with permission from the Athletics department.
Address: 72 Vassar Farm Lane
Contact: athletics@vassar.edu
Visitors are welcome to use the Preserve’s 7-miles of marked trails to explore many habitats, including streams, wetlands, ponds, forests, and old fields. The trails range in difficulty from easy to difficult and provide opportunities for all skill levels. Biking is allowed on select trails. The Preserve is open to visitors from dawn to dusk. Leashed pets are permitted. All visitors should minimize their impact and visitors should leave no trace.
Address: 20 Vassar Farm Lane
Contact: preserve@vassar.edu
The Poughkeepsie Farm Project, an independent non-profit, leases 12 acres of land at 51 Vassar Farm Lane from Vassar College. They have administrative office space in the Vassar Barn. Although the Preserve at Vassar has an agricultural history, the Poughkeepsie Farm Project is the only functioning farm on the land.
Address: 51 Vassar Farm Lane
Contact: info@farmproject.org
