Lehigh River Sojourn Celebrates Its Silver Anniversary |
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Running since 1997, The Lehigh River Sojourn has carried more than 7,500 people through our beautiful Lehigh River watershed over the 3-day trip. History, natural beauty and fresh air abounded on this year's 25th anniversary excursion. Thanks to friends at WFMZ for this special piece on the heritage of the event and what it means for citizens of our shared outdoor spaces!
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To View The Full Story, click HERE.
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Take a look back at all the wonderful work Wildlands was able to accomplish with the support of people like YOU in 2020 in the digital pages of our Annual Report! Despite the challenges that last year brought, we were able to forward meaningful and valuable conservation work, right here at home. Chris Kocher, President, shares his remarks on what made this past year so special and the accomplishments so extraordinary. |
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To View the Full 2020 Annual Report, Click HERE.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:
Friends of Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlands is developing a dedicated volunteer group to help with the regular upkeep of Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary (DRPWS). Projects will include landscape bed maintenance, mulching/chip spreading, litter clean-up, trail maintenance, and invasive species management, along with opportunities to assist with small-to-medium maintenance activities like painting, boardwalk repairs, and other light construction.
The hours are flexible, but commitment to a regular schedule is requested. Activities for the Friends of DRPWS will be scheduled by the group in coordination with staff.
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Students Study the American Chestnut Tree
at Trexler Nature Preserve
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Wildlands is able to forward its mission of conservation and education with the help of visionary environmental stewards. And here's something else- we're also using some of the incredible natural spaces in the Lehigh River watershed as immersive outdoor classrooms for the NEXT generation of people passionate about protecting nature nearby!!
Each year since 2014, students from Lehigh Carbon Community College visit the American Chestnut orchard located inside Trexler Nature Preserve to collect data. Biology labs learn about the history of the American Chestnut, the work Wildlands has in process with Lehigh County at the TNP orchard, and monitor the approximately 1,000 trees there. They collect information about survival, growth, and health of each tree. Historically a keystone species in our eastern forests, important as a source of food and habitat for wildlife, and useful as food and in industry for people, the American Chestnut fell victim to a blight, which virtually eliminated them from our forests. The work of students in the field educates them while also providing real valuable data to organizations restoring an important piece of the ecosystem!
Interested in Visiting Trexler Nature Preserve? Stop by Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day at the Ford- Learn more HERE.
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Meet Vlad the Vulture... and the Dog-Toy Egg |
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You may or may not be familiar with the story of our Black Vulture Vladimir. Vlad has been incubating a dog toy for several years now, thinking that it is an egg, which is quite comical! The staff wasn't sure of his gender, but he had been arbitrarily labeled a male. Well we finally decided to get Vlad's DNA tested, and the results are in... |
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It looks like Vlad is the Father (to-be?) of the year! While it might seem strange, these creatures actually mate for life, and male vultures do commonly share in the job of incubating eggs in the family nest! |
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To Support Wildlands' Animal Ambassadors, Click HERE.
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Make your gift to Wildlands Conservancy Today.
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