Our History
In 1687 James and Joan Burgess Moon immigrated to Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Led by William Penn, they accompanied a wave of Quaker refugees fleeing religious persecution in England. These Friends hoped to live a “Holy Experiment” in the New World, where political and religious freedoms would allow the Light in every person to shine.
Born of James and Joan, the Snipes family are direct descendants of this movement. They have resided at the present Snipes Farm since 1808 and are the 10th, 11th, and 12th generation to farm in Bucks County. The Snipes family has generously offered the use of their farm for the establishment of Snipes Farm & Education Center.
Visit our farm museum to learn more about the history of farming in Bucks County.
Natural Heritage
Snipes Woods is listed in Natural Areas Inventory of Bucks County, Pennsylvania
This site contains approximately 50-60 acres of coastal plain forest extending on both sides of Route 13 north of Route 1. Rock Run Creek flows through the site, which consists of moist forest with wetter conditions near the creek.
This site is one of very few remaining significant examples of coastal plain forest and contains populations of at least six rare plants.
Snipes Woods Selected Species List
Compiled by Ann F. Rhoads, Ph.D. for “Forest Bath” woodland walk on May 5, 2018
Bold indicates special conservation status in Pennsylvania
Trees
- American Beech
- Bitternut hickory
- Blackgum
- Hornbeam
- Red maple
- Swamp white oak
- Sweetbay magnolia
- Sweetgum
- Willow oak
Shrubs
- Highbush blueberry
- Spicebush
- Sweet pepper bush
Herbaceous Plants
- Canada mayflower
- Cinnamon fern
- Jack-in-the-pulpit
- Mayapple
- Netted chain fern
- New York fern
- Skunk cabbage
- Trout-liy