It is early summer at a 385-acre property now known as Bald Mountain, located in the Pocono Plateau. The chattering of migratory songbirds—such as Scarlet Tanagers, Eastern Towhees, and Hermit Thrushes—in the dense woodlands is pierced by the roar of two male black bears as they spar over a female. A spotted salamander wriggles for cover as a Bald Eagle circles effortlessly on a rising current of warm air.

Now, thanks to the joint efforts of Natural Lands Trust and North Branch Land Trust, this land will remain unspoiled... forever.

"Natural Lands Trust is thrilled to be able to expand our regional network of nature preserves and to work in partnership with NBLT to do so," said Molly Morrison, president of Natural Lands Trust. "Since we established our first preserve in the late 1950s, we have been committed to owning land because it is simply the best way to protect an important landscape and ensure it will be well cared for in the future."

If you look toward to southeast when driving south on the cross-valley expressway in Wilkes-Barre you cannot miss the windmills atop Bald Mountain in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County. The rugged terrain is largely forested; dominant species include red oak, white oak, and red maple.

Two state-designated “high quality” streams flow through the property, bordered by native hemlocks and aspens. The property is unique in that it is a transition property between two distinctly different geophysical regions.

To the northwest is the Anthracite Valley section of the Valley and Ridge Province and to southeast is Glaciated Pocono Plateau section of the Appalachian Plateau. Also interesting is the fact that the property straddles two massive watersheds.

All water to the northwest of the property flows to the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay, and all the water to the southeast flows to the Delaware River and the Delaware Bay.

Early on, NBLT had identified the property as a conservation priority and has been working closely with the landowners and others for several years to find a way to acquire and protect it.

Once funding sources were identified, they approached Natural Lands Trust about the possibility of owning and managing the land, which is located a short distance from Natural Lands Trust’s 3,412-acre Bear Creek Preserve.

“The entire staff and Board of Directors of NBLT are grateful to have been part of this wonderful conservation project,” said Paul Lumia, executive director of NBLT. “This conservation effort is a shining example local, regional, and state partners working together to protect those special and scenic natural landscapes that sustain us. Another important piece of northeastern Pennsylvania’s natural heritage has been conserved.”

Like many of Natural Lands Trust’s other nature preserves throughout the region, Bald Mountain Preserve eventually will be open—free-of-charge—to visitors for passive recreation.

Since its founding in 1953, Natural Lands Trust has protected more than 100,000 acres of land, including 42 nature preserves that it owns and manages in 13 counties.

Funders for this project include the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources—Community Partnership Program and former landowner Mark Mack.

For more information, visit the NAT Bear Creek Preserve webpage.

8/12/2013