Join us, and follow along...

Join Us

Click HERE to join our mailing list.

Join TU! 50% off for new members: www.tu.org/intro.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

New Conservation Area

From the National Lands Trust website:
Camel's Hump FarmAnnouncing the Archibald Johnston Preserve Conservation Teamwork Results in a New Nature Preserve in Northampton County.  Natural Lands Trust, a regional land conservation organization, and the Friends of Johnston, Inc., a non-profit organization formed to preserve the Johnston Estate, are pleased to announce the creation of the Archibald Johnston Preserve. The Archibald Johnston Preserve was established last month when Natural Lands Trust purchased 18 acres of land that was once the estate of Amanda J. Leckonby, granddaughter of Archibald Johnston who served as the first mayor of the City of Bethlehem. Friends of Johnston, Inc. purchased an adjacent 3.4 acres known as Camel’s Hump Farm, and Natural Lands Trust expects to acquire an additional 26-acre parcel—currently owned by the Central Moravian Church and under agreement of sale with the conservation organization—this summer. These lands, combined with the existing Archibald Johnston Conservation Area—owned by Northampton County—and Bethlehem Township’s Housenick Park, will offer more than 150 acres of contiguous conserved land for the community. The Friends of Johnston, Inc. will restore and manage the land with volunteer manpower and expert guidance from Natural Lands Trust. Over the next several years, they expect to convert the farm fields to native wildflower meadows, improve the forested buffer along Monocacy Creek, establish community gardens, and develop trails to link and unite the multiple parcels that make up the new Preserve. “The Archibald Johnston Preserve was established through determination, perseverance, and partnership,” said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. “The next chapter in this magnificent property is an exciting one as we support Friends of Johnston in their work to preserve 250 years of Bethlehem history. I would also like to thank Wildlands Conservancy for their agreement to partner with us as we develop the preserve into a public amenity.” “The Friends of Johnston is extremely thankful to all those who have worked so hard to preserve this important estate,” said Vicky Bastidas, President of Friends of Johnston, Inc. “We are eagerly looking forward to working with Natural Lands Trust and the community to restore the landscape, open the preserve to the public, and develop programs that will benefit everyone.” Key partners for this project include Northampton County—21st Century Open Space Initiative, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources—Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund Act, and Wildlands Conservancy. - See more at: http://www.natlands.org/who-we-are/news/announcing-the-archibald-johnston-preserve/#sthash.zamEt4SY.dpuf
 Preserved forever!



Friday, May 8, 2015

"Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley"

Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley Presented by Lehigh Valley Zoo May 30-31 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday SteelStacks, Bethlehem, PA Experience this free family festival focused on all things outdoors. Step Outdoors will feature more than 30 different conservation, outdoors and wildlife groups coming together for two days filled with hands-on activities, presentations and outdoors experiences designed to introduce you to the region’s great outdoor pursuits and the natural world. Enjoy urban hikes, cycling, birding walks, trips to see peregrine falcons at Sands Bethlehem and live animal presentations, plus learn to cast a fly rod, try your hand at archery, sample creative cuisine made with insects, and so much more. For complete details, visit www.steelstacks.org/stepoutdoors.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Mayflies....

It's what's for dinner: