Department of Conservation and Natural Resources officials are applauding the acquisition of a 1,175-acre-tract in Monroe and Lackawanna counties that expands the Lackawanna State Forest District to over 27,500 acres.

“This is a great addition to the state forest system and comes at a time when more and more people in the northeastern section of the state are being drawn to these woodlands by a variety of interests and activities,” said Lackawanna Forest District Forester Nicholas Lylo.

Now known as the “Blue Ridge Lehigh Tract,” the parcel acquired by DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry is in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, and Thornhurst Township, Lackawanna County.

DCNR purchased the property through a partnership of The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlands Conservancy, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Monroe County, Lackawanna County and others. The tract is largely forest acreage and includes approximately 2.5 miles of frontage on the Lehigh River.

A total of 1,170 acres is on the east bank of the Lehigh River in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County. The tract consists of two blocks of 1,074 acres and 92 acres which are linked by about 4,000 feet (4 acres) of abandoned railroad grade. An additional five acres along the west bank of the Lehigh River is in Thornhurst Township Lackawanna County. All sections border the Lehigh River and create over 2.5 miles of river frontage.

“We plan to incorporate this valuable tract into the district’s existing forest lands where it will provide open space, watershed protection and valuable lands for low impact outdoor recreation activities.” Lylo said.

With acreage now totaling over 27,500 acres, Lackawanna State Forest is a keystone in the Poconos Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Initiative, one of seven major land preservation efforts under way across the state. Regional in scope, CLIs partner local governments, conservancies and residents with the DCNR and other state departments in regional planning that promotes sustainability, conservation, community revitalization and recreational projects.

Lackawanna State Forest is comprised of five main tracts in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Monroe counties.

The Thornhurst tract, the largest of the five is located in Thornhurst Township, Lackawanna County. This almost 12,000-acre woodland offers extensive outdoor recreational opportunities including, hiking, backpacking, hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and fishing.

The Harvey’s Creek Tract, another tract which forms the Lackawanna State Forest is located in Plymouth, and Jackson Township, Luzerne County and buffers Harvey Creek, an approved trout stream. It offers almost 4,000 acres for hunting, fishing, hiking and nature study. This tract still maintains most of its primitive character. Formal hiking trails and picnic areas have not been developed.

The remainder of the Lackawanna State Forest is comprised of state forest tracts in Luzerne County and Lackawanna counties.