Missed the Bioblitz? Here's What We Found! |
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Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata) identified by PHLT intern Lourdes on April 25th at Fieldstone Farm Nature Preserve.
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On April 24th and 25th, 60 participants scouted for species on PHLT's Kurmes, Fieldstone, and Yankee Run Nature Preserves during the 2021 PHLT Bioblitz.
The group was organized into six teams - plants, fungi, insects/aquatics, herps, mammals and birds. Participants included many specialists and university professors and everyone had a great time scouring the three preserves for every species they could find. While complete results are not yet compiled, the herp team had great success, finding nine species of salamanders, many frogs, and even a few snakes despite the relatively cool weather. The mammal team reported over a dozen species, ranging from chipmunks and deer mice to black bear. Bird, fungi, plant and insect/aquatics teams also had good showings for the time of year. A hearty thanks to everyone who participated - we are already looking forward to the next Bioblitz!
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Check out the Devil's Hole Bioblitz Project on iNaturalist for more findings.
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NEW Rail Gap Nature Preserve |
Volunteers are needed this Saturday, May 8th from 9am-1pm to mark and clear trails and pick up trash on PHLT's new nature preserve on Shafers Schoolhouse Rd!
This workday may run a bit longer than usual, but there is no obligation - stay as long as you like.
Be the first to explore PHLT's newest nature preserve, and help take part in its creation!
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Presentation by PHLT interns |
Join PHLT interns Lourdes, Stella, and Melissa for a virtual event on Thursday, May 27th at 7pm as they discuss their process in the creation of species lists for Pocono Heritage Land Trust's properties, and what their findings indicate about biodiversity in the Poconos. Methods covered include utilization of online resources, connecting with biologists, and more than one way to run a BioBlitz during a pandemic. Tips and tricks can be utilized by both landowners and land protection organizations to discover what species occupy your properties, including endangered and at risk species.
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Members Celebration Dinner |
PHLT Members are invited to attend the 2021 Annual Membership Celebration at the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center on Sunday, May 23 at 1:00 PM.
Come enjoy BBQ-style catering, musical entertainment, raffle prizes,
and socially distanced reception.

Featuring guest speaker: teacher, naturalist, avian expert and author Jackie Speicher. Autographed books will be available!
Cost to attend: $35 per guest.
Optional walk: come early for a guided walk down to the eagles' nest led by Jackie and Darryl Speicher at 12:30 pm.
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To ensure COVID-19 safety, this event will have a capacity of 50 people.
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Freedom Flow Yoga Classes |
A slow morning practice under the eagle's nest, inspired by the natural beauty of the preserve. Class will begin with moving mediation and deep stretch, then transition into a slow and mindful flow with a focus on intuitive movement and fluid transitions.
May 15th & 29th | June 12 & 26
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
ForEvergreen Nature Preserve
registration now open!
$17 per class, or pay using Boundless Yoga Studio card. (PHLT members can receive 10% off their purchase of a Boundless Yoga card during the months of May & June!)
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Guided Native Wildflower Walk |
Join Stewardship Manager Matt for a guided native wildflower walk at Pomeroy Nature Preserve in Stroudsburg on Sunday, June 6th from 10am-12pm.
PHLT volunteers have been working hard to remove invasive plant species and expand the area available for native plants. Let's take a short walk through the area to enjoy these native spring wildflowers!

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Exhibits at Brodhead Creek Heritage Center |
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Nancy Tulley:
Nature Photographer
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Friday May 21, 2021 through Wednesday June 30, 2021
Nancy Tulley is a local nature photographer who loves to be outdoors and always has her camera. She believes you never know what might cross your path!
This exhibit is comprised mainly of local nature photography. Some have underlying visual effects that need a closer, second look. The photos cover landscapes, birds, butterflies, flowers, mammals and more.
When to see the exhibit:
PHLT Members can enjoy viewing Nancy's photography during the Annual Membership Celebration event on May 23rd. Attendees of the Frank Schoonover presentation on May 22nd will also have a chance to view Nancy's photography on the walls of the gallery at the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center.
The Brodhead Creek Heritage Center will be re-opening safely to the public near the end of May, which will allow public viewing of Nancy Tulley's photography exhibit, on display through the end of June.
Please stay tuned for dates and details regarding the re-opening of the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center.
More information about the Gallery at BCHC can be found here. |
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Frank Schoonover: Illustrator, Artist and Angler
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Saturday, May 22 at 2:00 pm
John Schoonover presents a program
on his legendary grandfather, artist and Pocono native, Frank Schoonover.
Frank Schoonover's exquisite paintings capture the adventurous spirit of his travels in the Canadian arctic, the American West and South, Alaska, Jamaica and elsewhere.
At age 26 in 1903, Schoonover began his most celebrated epic adventure travelling by dog sled and snowshoes for over 1200 miles in the Canadian wilderness. There he learned the customs and culture of its indigenous peoples and later painted and wrote about the experience with his inimitable vivid, action-oriented yet sensitive style.
He published articles on his exploits and captured his adventures on canvas and in beautiful prose in his book: Edge of the
Wilderness - A Portrait of the Canadian North.
Some of Frank Schoonover's other works include illustrations for over 120 books including Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Hans Brinker and Blackbeard as well as many Jack London and Zane Grey stories. He painted over 2000 works of art, may of which are in museums throughout the northeast.
An avid trout fisherman, Frank frequently fished many Canadian waters, the Delaware River, Bushkill Creek and other Pocono streams. He owned a bamboo fly rod made by local Stroudsburg craftsman, Lou Schauer, which will be on display at the event.
This exhibit is one-day-only.
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Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers have Arrived |
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Eastern Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) Observed April 27th at Pomeroy Nature Preserve. |
Trout lily (Erythronium americanum)
Observed April 27th at Pomeroy Nature Preserve.
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Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) poking up next to dead stems of invasive barberry shrubs - finally having a place to grow, thanks to PHLT volunteers!
Observed April 21st at Pomeroy Nature Preserve.
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Have you noticed these little beauties brightening up the forest floor?
They may look fragile, but these little flowers are quite tough. Native to the United States, spring ephemerals are adapted to taking advantage of nutrient-rich forest soils in spring. They grow low to the ground to stay protected from cold winds, and thrive in moist soils which help mitigate the extreme temperature fluctuations in early spring.
Several species of ants and beetles are specialized to pollinate spring ephemerals, relying on them for their survival much like milkweed to the monarch. This is great for the flowers, too, since there aren't too many flying insects around this time of year!
The name "ephemeral" represents the flowers' brief appearances in early spring. Stored energy in underground rhizomes and root systems allows them to flower early, then die back when the weather warms up, giving them only a few weeks to pollinate and go to seed before other neighboring plants leaf out and take up all the sun's rays.
Be sure to catch sight of these lovely native spring ephemerals - before they're gone!
You can fit in a quick visit to one of these nearby flowering ephemeral sites:
Park at Hickory Valley Park and walk 1/4 mile west along Hickory Valley Road;
enter the woods on the left (creekside).
A short out-and-back walk off of Old Mill Rd just behind Weis and CVS in Tannersville.
Right around the corner from Pocono Creek Nature Preserve. Park at the old Northhampton Community College - the entrance to the preserve is across the street.
Located on Route 191 in Stroudsburg - walk left out of the parking lot and then an immediate left again and follow the faint dirt trail. Here you can find geranium, mayapple, canada mayflower and a few others.
The public access portion of this PHLT conservation easement in Appenzell has a few wildflowers as well - follow the trail past the sign kiosk for an out-and-back visit.
Learn more about spring ephemerals and several additional species to look for here.
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Volunteer to Protect Native Wildflowers 🌸 |
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Spring is in the air!
Help us pull invasive plants in the beautiful weather,
and discover where the wildflowers grow.
Sign up for a morning, an afternoon, or join us the whole day!
To view the complete Workday Schedule, please visit our website.
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Pomeroy Nature Preserve
Saturday, May 15th | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Stroudsburg
Glen Run Nature Preserve
Saturday, May 15th | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Stroudsburg
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Fieldstone Farm Nature Preserve
Thursday, May 20th | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Cresco
Yankee Run Nature Preserve
Thursday, May 20th | 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Cresco
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Pomeroy Nature Preserve
* Special planting event *
Exact date TBD (Thursday May 27- Sunday May 30)
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Stroudsburg
Help enhance pollinator habitat at this gorgeous nature preserve!
We will be planting plugs of native woodland and wetland wildflowers.
The date of this event depends on when the plant materials ship and might not be confirmed until a few days before the event. Please sign up if you are interested, and we will notify you of the exact date as it approaches. We appreciate your flexibility!
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Pomeroy Nature Preserve
Thursday, June 3rd | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Stroudsburg
Spend a few quiet hours in the woods removing invasive species like garlic mustard and dame's rocket and create room for native wildflowers. It's a great time to be outside and the process of removing invasives is relaxing and meditative.
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Social distancing will be required for these events. Always bring a mask.
To ensure safe attendance capacities, please RSVP below:
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Want to help out, but can't attend these events?
Sign up for our volunteer list and tell us about your interests!
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