Red Cote Preserve

Red Cote Preserve is a beautiful 30-acre nature preserve located on Yellow Cote Road in Oyster Bay Cove, offering families a wonderful opportunity to explore Long Island's natural landscapes. The preserve features a scenic mix of woodlands and sweeping meadows, with distinct habitat zones including white pine forests in the southern section, mixed deciduous forests with large oaks, and open fields dotted with three mature red cedars. This diverse landscape creates an ideal setting for nature observation and outdoor exploration. Families visiting Red Cote Preserve can expect to encounter native wildlife and seasonal wildflowers throughout their visit. The preserve is home to tree swallows and monarch butterflies, with the large field mowed annually in early spring to optimize habitat and allow wildflowers to bloom. This management practice also provides winter shelter for small mammals and songbirds, making it an excellent destination for families interested in wildlife observation and learning about ecosystem management. The preserve offers guided walks in the woods, providing educational experiences for visitors of all ages. These guided programs, along with the preserve's interactive map of protected lands available through the North Shore Land Alliance website, help families plan their visit and discover all the preserve has to offer. Parking is conveniently available on the left side of Yellow Cote Road, making access easy for families. Red Cote Preserve is managed by the North Shore Land Alliance, a land trust dedicated to conservation education and stewardship. The preserve was established through conservation funding from Nassau County's Environmental Bond Act and was acquired from the descendants of R.C. Leffingwell, who originally purchased the farm property in 1924. Visiting this preserve supports the Land Alliance's important conservation work on Long Island.