Preserve

Fern Valley Biome Preserve, simply called the Preserve by locals, is a large piece of public land stretching along the south bank of the Fern River, eight kilometers upstream of town. It is stewarded by the local land conservancy and managed by Liam, who maintains the 15 or so kilometers of official hiking trails that weave through 160 hectares of woodland, meadow, and wetland.

The Preserve is popular with walkers, trail runners (like Quinn), cyclists, birdwatchers, photographers (like Luc), and nudists wandering over from adjacent Heather Beach for a bit of privacy. (The conservancy doesn’t take a position on nudity in the Preserve, and tends to just look the other way; Lena is a long-time board member after all.) Hot springs dot the steep, rocky slopes of the eastern portion of the Preserve, drawing enthusiasts and casual bathers alike with their 40-degree mineral-rich waters.

Tati lives just up the road, and frequently sends resort guests to the Preserve for picnics and adventures.