Hawk Mountain Sanctuary will host its annual Autumn Native Plant Sale on Saturday, September 12 outside of the Visitor Center from 10 am to 3 pm, featuring over 100 species of native trees, grasses, vines, shrubs, and flowering plants. The sale is open to the public, and all proceeds benefit Hawk Mountain's conservation and education programs. Native plants available for read more
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August
7
August
Hawk Mountain Flies into Fall with Annual Autumn Migration Kick-off
Hawk Mountain invites visitors to watch and monitor the annual passage of raptor migrants as they move south during the Autumn Hawk Watch, held daily August 15 through December 15, at the Sanctuary’s famous North Lookout. Trail fees apply for non-members and cost $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Members are admitted free year-round, and read more
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August
Wolf Administration Announces Grants to be Available for Protecting Non-Game Species
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that its Wild Resource Conservation Program are accepting applications for grants to protect the state’s native biodiversity. Overseen by DCNR, the program safeguards Pennsylvania’s non-game animals, native plants, and their habitat. Grant applications will be accepted in three read more
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July
Pocono Heritage Land Trust to Merge with Pocono Avian Research Center
The Pocono Avian Research Center announced in July 2020 that they will be merging their mission and research activities with the Pocono Heritage Land Trust. The Pocono Avian Research Center, Inc. is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of Pennsylvania's native birds and their habitats through research, education and community involvement. All research projects are conducted read more
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May
Common Wasps and Hornets of Pennsylvania
As the days become warmer, many insects throughout Pennsylvania emerge. Spring, summer, and fall are some of the busiest times of year for insects and the best times of year for people to come into contact with them. Some of the insects that Pennsylvanians may encounter are stinging insects, such as bees, wasps, and hornets. Most people are familiar with the importance of bees read more
8
May
World Migratory Bird Day: Calling Us to Conservation
We were all gathered in the pre-dawn for a very well-attended spring migratory bird hike. I was standing groggily at the back of the group, watching the yellow tinge of the sunrise break upon the eastern horizon. As if on cue to welcome the rising sun, a chorus of birdsong trilled from the brambles of nearby thicket. “Do you think a new day would even happen without birds read more
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April
ClearWater Conservancy Conserves Crucial Bat Habitat
ClearWater Conservancy, with approval by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced in March 2020 the finalization of a permanent conservation easement along the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River. Located immediately across the river from Canoe Creek State Park, and along the Lower Trail, the 214.63 acre conservation project is one of the first of its kind on the east read more
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April
Pennsylvania Trout Fishing Season Now Open
Effective April 7, 2020, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), in consultation with the Office of the Governor, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) opened the statewide 2020 trout season. This measure allows properly licensed anglers and youth to begin fishing for and harvesting trout. All read more
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September
French & Pickering Creeks Trust Educates on Spotted Lanternfly
French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust was proud to invite the community to join in an educational evening with Dr. Heather Leach, a Penn State University Extension spotted lanternfly expert, most recently interviewed in the Wall Street Journal. In partnership with Historic Yellow Springs, over 80 community members gathered to discuss Penn State University’s latest read more
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July
The Nature Conservancy Adds 175 Acres to Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently purchased and transferred two properties to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), adding 175 acres to the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Conservation of the properties safeguards habitat for plants and animals under a changing climate, while protecting headstream waters that flow into the Delaware River. The read more
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July
Checking in on Manada Conservancy’s Newest Preserve
This post was written by Sally Zaino of Manada Conservancy about the first summer on one of Manada's newest preserves. By the time you read this, the mountain laurel will be finished blooming. But as of this writing, it is decorating our woodlands with its pale pink flowers, convoluted stems, and glossy leaves. It’s blooming on the rocky slopes of our Appalachians. It is read more
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May
Wildlands Adds 35 Acres to Thomas Darling Preserve
At the end of April, Wildlands Conservancy acquired an additional 35-acre parcel of land in Tobyhanna Township that has expanded the organization's Thomas Darling Pocono Preserve to over 1,400 acres. The recent acquisition adjoins the 72-acre property Wildlands protected in 2017, which tied together neighboring existing natural areas and helped advance planned public access to read more
5
March
Manada Conservancy Protects 44 Acres on Blue Mountain
Manada Conservancy has protected a 44-acre, fully wooded property along Blue Mountain in Lower Paxton Township that will be open to the public for hiking and passive enjoyment. Located near Hocker Park, the property includes a portion of the Darlington Trail and is part of the Kittatinny Ridge, an important corridor for raptor and songbird migration, wildlife diversity, and read more
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February
Natural Lands and PHLT Protect Native Trout Stream
On February 12 Natural Lands and Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) announced the preservation of two nearby but separately owned parcels totaling 340 acres of land near Brodhead Creek, a stream running through the Pocono Mountains known for its clear, cool water and healthy trout population. The land trusts hold conservation easements on the properties, ensuring they will never read more
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January
Bill Reintroduced to Designate Eastern Hellbender Official State Amphibian
On January 23, Sen. Gene Yaw (R–Lycoming) reintroduced legislation—Senate Bill 9—to designate the eastern hellbender the state’s official amphibian and clean water ambassador. Sen. Yaw serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and is one of Pennsylvania’s six representatives on the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission. The bill read more
