This ecosystem needs periodic fire to wipe out the forest and old-field plants that begin to invade when fire is suppressed. The regular fires that once defined this landscape promote prairie grasses, pitch pines, wildflower meadows and cliff outcroppings that serve as prime habitat for rare plants such as the round-leaved fameflower, very hairy chickweed and the serpentine aster, found nowhere else in the world. Additional plants include a diverse fern community of marginal shield, hay scented, Christmas, interrupted and maidenhair, and warm-season grasses such as prairie dropseed and arrow-feather.
The area also harbors moths and butterflies, including red-banded hairstreak, cobsew skipper, barrens buckmoth, mottled duskywing and dusted skipper. Nesting and migratory birds—including the bobwhite quail, barred owl, declining whip-poor-will and 17 species of warblers—have also been observed.
Goat Hill Barrens is accessible from February through September (and closed to the public from October through January). The Rose Trail traverses a portion of the preserve as well as part of the adjacent William Penn State Forest. While the state forest remains open in hunting season, visitors should wear blaze orange or other high-visibility clothing during that time.
The Rose Trail is named for Rose Chase who donated property to TNC in the late 1970s and early 1980s and spearheaded the grassroots efforts by Concerned Citizens of West Nottingham Township to protect the serpentine barrens.
Chrome Barrens is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year, from dawn to dusk. In the spring, catch glimpses of migrant birds and wildflowers. The fall offers colorful foliage. Late summer marks the peak of butterfly season.
Nottingham County Park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk seven days a week for nature-based and recreational activities, including eight miles of horseback riding and hiking trails ideal for viewing rare flowers and plants, rock formations and abandoned quarries in the pitch pine forest. The park also contains picnic pavilions with cooking grills, a one-mile fitness trail, fishing, a horse show ring and playgrounds. Many of the facilities are accessible to those needing assistance.
Friends of the State Line Serpentine Barrens is an independent, nonprofit volunteer organization that serves as educators and stewards to preserve the history and ensure sustainability of this globally rare habitat. FSLSB hosts regular workdays and other volunteer opportunities along with guided walks at the preserve.
Three barrens sites are not open to the public. The only way to witness the fragile habitat at New Texas Barrens is to participate in one of TNC’s volunteer workdays. While open only for scientific research, interested visitors can arrange to take interpretive hikes at Rock Springs with the Lancaster County Conservancy. Located in Northern Cecil County, Maryland, Pilot may be accessed for scientific research with prior permission from TNC.
