Dobbins Woods Preserve

The Dobbins Woods Preserve protects 3,300 feet of naturally vegetated streambanks, located in a beautiful wooded setting. A looped trail on the site makes the preserve a popular place for hiking, biking, dog walking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Size: 100 acres
Year Conserved by CWC: 1995
Address: 5273 Bly Hill Road, Ashville, NY

Conservation Values: The Dobbins Wood Preserve permanently protects natural streambanks. The preserve land stores, filters and delivers clean water to Chautauqua Lake through its forested wetland and riparian areas. It also provides excellent wildlife habitat.

Recreational Use: A well-developed marked loop trail provides a venue for CWC-led tours, as well as for enjoyment by hikers, naturalists, birdwatchers and cross-country skiers.

Location and Parking: west of Chautauqua Lake on the south side of Bly Hill Road of state Route 394, with parking for up to 5 cars and access to the trailhead. A CWC sign marks the entrance of the preserve.

Features of Interest: The land is forested and dimpled with wetlands, and it contains two small streams running southeast.

TRAIL MAP:

SPECIES OF INTEREST:

Trees: shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), black cherry (Prunus serotine), white ash (Fraxinus americana), Norway spruce (Picea abies), scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris)

Wildflowers, shrubs and grasses: Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora), dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolius), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), calico aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), raspberry (Rubus

Mammals: Eastern coyote (Caniss latrans), fisher (Martes pennanti), raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Birds: pileated woodpecker (Hylatomus pileatus), Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), nuthatch (Sitta sp.)

Amphibians: Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens), red backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Fungi: Common ink cap (Coprinopsis atamentaria), galerina marginata (Galerina marginata), lacquered polypore (Ganoderma tsugae), lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus)