NEW Trailhead and More to Explore

July 2022

New Trailhead at Rail Gap Nature Preserve

The PHLT Volunteer Trail Crew forged a new trail at Rail Gap Nature Preserve last month, which can be accessed from the small gravel parking lot located at 1529 Brislin Road. This trail network explores the forest on the southwest side of Pocono Creek. You might be surprised by what you find!

The PHLT Trail Crew is an all-volunteer group that meets on the third Wednesday of each month to build trails and make improvements on a PHLT nature preserve. Learn more here.

Pomeroy Nature Preserve

Official Trail Brochure

Pomeroy Nature Preserve celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting last month. In case you missed it, we now have a visitor brochure to guide you on your visit! Follow along with the trail map, and learn about the preserve's unique habitat and restoration projects in the official visitor brochure.

Funded by a grant from 1% for Nature, this brochure is the first in a series of five visitor brochures to be developed for PHLT nature preserves this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage visitors in the unique heritage of our land, clean water, native species, and historical landmarks that inspire our conservation efforts and make the Poconos so very special. Plan your trip to Pomeroy Nature Preserve and stay tuned for more visitor brochures coming soon!

Geocaching at Rail Gap

Take part in the "world's largest treasure hunt"!

Visitors can now scout for five newly-placed Geocaches at Rail Gap Nature Preserve.

Download the Geocache app to find GPS locations, read hints, log and share your findings, and explore even more treasure hunts near you!

July Events

"Living with the Seasons"

Opening Art Reception

Sunday, July 10 | 2:00 - 4:00PM

Free | Open to the public

Stop by the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center for the opening reception of "Living with the Seasons" -- a 365-day view of nature in the Poconos through the lens of photographer Rachel Keslosky. Stop in to meet the artist, enjoy light refreshments, and venture a stroll around ForEvergreen Nature Preserve. Photography will be on display and for sale through July.

Above: "Adversity" by Rachel Keslosky

Read about the artist

"Pour & Sip"

Acrylic Pour Fundraiser

Wednesday, July 13 | 6:00 - 9:00PM

$45 | $40 members | RSVP Required

Local artist and PHLT board member Elaine Madere will demonstrate four different techniques for pouring fluid acrylic paint to create beautiful, unique works of art. Participants will leave with 4 completed 12x12 canvases that can be hung individually or as a group.

Absolutely no prior art experience is required! Experieced pourers are also welcome to come and take advantage of a wide variety of prepared paints.

PHLT members enjoy a $5 discount!

Advocacy at the Local Level

Free Seminar with BWA

Saturday, July 16 | 11:00 AM

Free | RSVP Required

Feeling powerless? Join the Brodhead Watershed Association for a solutions-oriented presentation by Delaware Riverkeeper Maya K. van Rossum.

This talk will seek to discuss and inspire a new tool for environmental preservation—one that will provide a new way of thinking about, and pursuing, environmental protection from a policy as well as a legal perspective in today's world.

"Insect Safari" Kids' Event

at Library of the Smithfields

Thursday, July 21 | 10:00 - 11:30AM

Kids Event | Free | RSVP Required

Library of the Smithfields at Echo Lake Park, located at 5200 Milford Rd.

East Stroudsburg, PA 18302

Join PHLT's Jackie Speicher to explore the word through insect eyes. In this family-friendly event we will search for insects in the fields and along the water’s edge near the library, put on a play about butterfly metamorphosis, turn someone into an insect, and play a walking stick camouflage game!

Choose to Refuse!

We all know the impacts of plastic on the environment--leaching toxins into the water, soil, and air, being perceived as food and ingested by turtles and birds--not to mention that the production of plastic itself requires the use of nonrenewable fossil fuels, releasing even more toxins into the atmosphere. Plastic also comes with frightening human health impacts, especially for pregnant women and children, which is why scientists reccommend avoiding food and drink coming in contact with plastic, especially when heated.

In a plastic-filled world, it can be hard to imagine that alternatives exist, but the days of glass milk jugs and mayonaisse jars are not that far behind us! It is estimated that over 200 times as many jobs could be created through adopting zero-waste economies. Learn more about what a waste-free world could look like, and consider how we can rid our town of single use plastic.

Need help getting started? Take the challenge to sign up for a Plastic-Free July and receive helpful tips and resources for your plastic-free journey.