Sunnyside environmental center One of Earth’s most sustainable buildings. Lancaster City’s First Nature Preserve.
The Sunnyside Environmental Center will stand in the midst of 70 acres of restored forest, meadow, and wetland. As a certified Living Building, it will meet the world’s highest benchmarks for ecological design. But more importantly, it’ll be a gateway for thousands of visitors each year as they hike, paddle, play, and learn. From students on field trips to families on vacation, Sunnyside will be a one-of-a-kind resource in our region.
What can Sunnyside become?
This won’t be your average nature preserve: Sunnyside has the potential to change the way countless Lancastrians relate to nature. If we get this right, we’ll create a landmark in environmental stewardship, a boost to community wellbeing, and an inspiration to others across the country.
Collaboration
Recreation
Conservation
Environmental Education
Workforce & Economic Development
Inside Sunnyside
The Environmental Center will be a state-of-the-art education and research facility at the heart of the Sunnyside Nature Preserve. The first floor of the building will house exhibits and classrooms, while the second floor will be collaborative office space shared by eight environmental nonprofits. It will be one of the only places in America where so many like-minded organizations are gathered under one roof.
we couldn’t do this without our partners.
Visionary Funder
High Foundation is the visionary funder helping to launch this bold vision for Lancaster’s future. We invite others to join them in supporting this once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Municipal Partner
The Sunnyside Environmental Center and Sunnyside Nature Preserve are both being planned in partnership with the City of Lancaster. We appreciate the city’s support as we work together to create this new resource for our community.
Get to know the locals
Great Blue Heron
A seven-foot wingspan makes Great Blue Herons one of the largest birds in our state. At Sunnyside, you’ll most likely find them stalking fish in the shallows of the Conestoga River.
Eastern Box Turtle
While they only grow to about six inches, eastern box turtles are the longest lived animal on our preserve. They can live more than 100 years—which means you just might meet a turtle older than your grandparents.
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
These amphibians need cool, moist woodland where they can hide under decaying logs and rocks.
Red Fox
The most widespread land carnivore in the world, red foxes keep Sunnyside’s ecosystem in balance by preying on rabbits, voles, and other small animals.
Zebra Swallowtail
Like many insects, Zebra Swallowtails are completely reliant on one species of plant for survival. The caterpillars can only eat the leaves of pawpaw trees—and thankfully, Sunnyside has them.
Pumpkinseed Sunfish
With their dazzling coloration, you might guess pumpkinseed were an exotic, tropical species. But while many of the Conestoga’s fish have been introduced from other places, pumpkinseed are native.
Eastern Red Bat
Visit Sunnyside at dusk during the warmer months and you’ll probably see eastern red bats flitting above the pond, using echolocation to catch moths and flies.
White-tailed Deer
Averaging over 100 pounds in weight, white tailed deer are the largest animal on the landscape. But their shyness means they’re also one of the hardest to spot.
River Otter
Okay, your odds of seeing a river otter at Sunnyside aren’t great—yet. But thanks to decades of conservation efforts, River Otters are making a comeback in our county, including in the Conestoga. So keep your eyes peeled: You never know!