Marion Brooks Natural Area, Protected natural area in Benezette Township, Elk County, Pennsylvania, United States.
Marion Brooks Natural Area is a protected landscape spanning 917 acres within Moshannon State Forest, characterized by extensive white birch woodlands. The terrain varies across the property with dense forest stands and diverse plant communities.
The site was originally called Paige Run Natural Area until 1975, when it was renamed to honor environmental advocate Marion E. Brooks. The change marked growing recognition of the location's role in regional conservation efforts.
The protected landscape serves as a study site for ecological research, focusing on the preservation of white birch trees at their southern natural limit.
Access is available from a parking area on Losey Road, from which a three-mile loop trail with yellow blazes winds through varying forest types. The route is clearly marked and guides visitors through the different woodland sections.
The site contains one of the largest white birch groves in eastern North America, including a remarkable specimen with four trunks reaching about 50 feet (15 m) tall. This unusual growth form is rare among birches and draws attention from nature observers.
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