The Sweet Escape
During one of the darkest times in my college career, I stumbled up Gordon Natural Area trails on South Campus. I needed to be anywhere but the confining and somewhat suffocating dorm room I had trapped myself in for days, and I walked hoping to find somewhere peaceful to be with the trees and away from my thoughts. Finding the trails behind the football field became my home away from home and my secret spot to escape the world in.
These trails have not only benefited me both mentally and physically, but they are also home to natural classrooms for environmental studies in collaboration with the WCU Office of Sustainability. The trails are not well advertised on campus and many incoming and current students have no idea these trails exist. Yet, there are many students who would love a spot like this one.
The Fight for the Forest
The Gordon Natural Area is located on the southeast corner of WCU’s South Campus and includes a total of 126 acres of beautiful land to explore and observe. There are a total of ten different trails and loops that you can follow in the Gordon Natural Area, ranging from 0.03 – 1.09 miles. The GNA was developed in the early 1970s when WCU was still referred to as West Chester State College.
The area in which we now have 3 ½ miles of designated trails on, was originally going to be torn down and developed into student housing. The University began plans for housing that included “buildings and sidewalks (that) were widely spread out– designed to take up the entire forest,” (Gottfreid, 2006).
Two biology majors with a deep love and appreciation for the beauty of the woods of South Campus started to rally against administration. They went far as to offer counter solutions and compromises.
The students, Gottfreid and Fluri, worked with an architect, crafted petitions, and started letter writing campaigns on campus. Their efforts resulted in the GNA becoming protected land in 1971. Without their hard work and ambition, we would have lost so much land and our campus would not be nearly as beautiful as it is today.
Mission of the Gordon Natural Area
Although the trails are there for the personal enjoyment of both students, faculty, and local residents of West Chester- the primary mission of the Gordon Natural Area is to preserve the land and to serve as a natural classroom for environmental studies and research!
The GNA is home to a variety of plant and animal species, which also means being home to many nuisances, including invasive plants and insects, overgrazing of deer, insect-borne pathogens, non-native earthworms, fragmentation, and more (WCUPA, Gordon Natural Area). Due to this, the area requires a lot of attention from WCU faculty and student volunteers.
The land was originally home for just a small group of Natural Science courses, but has since expanded into being used for over 30 different courses on campus, including but not limited to BIO 315, SCB 102, BIO 475 and BIO 454.
These classes use the plentiful resources given by the GNA forest to assess different plant types, gain knowledge and hands-on experience with ecological analysis tools, and explore the results of human influence on natural ecosystems (Schedlbauer, WCUPA).
While the trails have found their purpose as a place designated to preserve the land and provide a natural classroom, many students have found different uses for them. They are a great spot on campus to run, take your dog on a walk (or to see other dogs while yours is at home), take pictures, read books and ultimately escape from the problems of the world.
The Gordon Natural Area is a safe space, one where I feel I can go on a walk with my headphones on or sit on a bench and read and not worry about my surroundings.
Nature is Free – Use it While You Can!
As the weather begins to warm up again for Spring, I encourage every student on campus to make an effort to get out, get some sun and breathe in the fresh air. Take a break from the assignments and stressful situations that come along with being a college student, and go outside when you can.
The trails of the Gordon Natural Area are only a 20 minute walk, 7 minute bike ride, or a 5 minute shuttle ride from main campus, and the trails are easily accessible from the Q parking lot.
Going on hikes and being in the woods has so many benefits, such as improved mental health, stronger muscles and improved sense of balance, improved heart health, decreased risk of respiratory problems and improved relational skills when hiking with others (National Park Service). Soon the weather will be warming up, especially around the time of finals, so I encourage every student to get down to South Campus and embrace the beauty of the protected Gordon Natural Area woods and all they have to offer.
Olivia Harris is a junior at West Chester University. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Media and Culture, and has a particular interest in crisis management and the public relations field. She enjoys writing and finds that it is her greatest skill and asset. When she isn’t working on her studies, Olivia enjoys listening to music on long walks in the woods and reading. Connect with her on her personal website!
