2020 Membership Drive Underway
As the country begins to reopen from the coronavirus, we hope that you and your loved
ones are staying safe and healthy. If there was ever any doubt, we now know with certainty,
that nature sustains us. During this challenging and unsettling time, nature has provided
healing balm for our weary souls and has been our constant.
Because of dedicated and generous donor support, even though we have had to postpone
events and activities, NLBT has been able to continue to stay focused on the mission of land
conservation and protect important natural areas in our communities. Totaling over 1,900
acres, three significant new projects are underway and staff continues to safely monitor
conserved properties. Meanwhile, the Board of Directors has enacted measures to
minimize expenses and prudently manage finances. The Howland Preserve and Picton
Wildlife Sanctuary remain open and social distancing guidelines have been posted so the
public can continue to safely take advantage of these beautiful Preserves.
This time of unprecedented stress and isolation has highlighted the powerful benefits of
nature on the human spirit and has deepened NBLT’s resolve to protect the special places
in Northeastern Pennsylvania before they disappear.
By supporting NBLT through membership and membership renewal, you are saying, YES, we need
to protect the special lands of Northeastern Pennsylvania! YES, more than ever, we need to
save the very nature that is sustaining and enriching our lives; our mental and physical health
depends on it.
Land conservation only happens because of YOU!
In this time of uncertainty, the value of nature is more evident than ever before. The
strength and resiliency of the natural world provide comfort and peace of mind. We have
heard countless stories from people who have shared with us their thoughts on how nature has
helped them endure these past months…nature that YOUR generous support has helped
protect.
To Renew or Become A New Member CLICK HERE
D&L Trail Contract Awarded for Phase I
The Delaware & Lehigh National Corridor (D&L) Trail is a 165-mile trail running from Bristol, in Bucks County to Wilkes-Barre and connects people to our industrial heritage, health & wellness, economic development, and nature & the environment.
North Branch Land Trust acquired 6 miles of the old rail-bed from Oliver Mills to Northampton
St, through donation and purchase, from the Earth Conservancy. NBLT recently awarded Rutledge Excavation, Inc, the contract to begin work on the 2.86-mile section beginning at Oliver Mills and ending at the Seven Tubs Nature Area. Work began in August.
When completed, this portion of the trail will be 10 feet wide with crushed stone and can be used for biking, running, and walking. Work will begin on the final section, from the base of Giants Despair to the Seven Tubs Nature Area, in the near future and will complete the 165-mile trail.
Trails improve our lives! Dedicated trails for walking, jogging, riding bicycles, and cross-country skiing are important assets to any community. Trails entice us to get outdoors and enjoy nature which reduces stress and improves health. Trails also enhance tourism and economic growth.
During the Coronavirus Pandemic, use of trails and outdoor space has significantly increased and the need for recreational opportunities has become abundantly clear. NBLT is proud to be part of the completion of this 165-mile recreational treasure and looks forward to opening this last leg for the benefit of all.
Projects on this scale require the collaboration of many partners. The following partnered with NBLT to bring this project to fruition:
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
Earth Conservancy
Laurel Run Borough
The Luzerne Foundation
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development—Greenways,
Trails, and Recreation Grant Program
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau ofForestry
PA DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation—Community Conservation Partnership Program
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine
Reclamation—Grant Program
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Plains Township
Sordoni Family Foundation
Wilkes-Barre Township
For more information about the D&L Trail visit the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor website at www.delawareandlehigh.org or contact North Branch Land Trust at info@nblt.org.
Section of Trail to be completed
Paul Lumia, NBLT & Dan Rutledge, Rutledge Excavating, Inc.
DCNR Grant Awarded To Acquire Hanover Reservoir Tract
In November, 2019 North Branch Land Trust was awarded a grant in the amount of
$850,000.00 from the Community Conservation Partnership Program administered by
the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to acquire 800 acres
on Penobscot Mountain including the historic Hanover Reservoir. Funds for this project
come from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), the
Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener) and federal funds.
After survey and a thorough environmental review NBLT will acquire the property and
transfer it to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and the Pinchot State Forest System.
This beautiful tract will add to the over 4000 acres on Penobscot Mountain previously
transferred to the Pinchot State Forest System by NBLT.
Key Partners for this project are Earth Conservancy; Hanover Township; Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation – Community Conservation Partnership Program; DCNR Bureau of Forestry
NBLT Receives National Land Trust Alliance Commission Reaccreditation Award
Dallas, PA – North Branch Land Trust (NBLT), a nonprofit, community-based, land conservation organization, was awarded its second renewal of accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission of Saratoga Springs, NY. This second renewal demonstrates that NBLT upheld the national standards for more than a decade. “Accreditation is a mark of distinction, recognizing land trusts that meet the national quality standards established by the land conservation community. NBLT has made an extraordinary commitment to excellence, trust and permanence in land conservation. The Commission especially recognizes NBLT’s work protecting the Mocanaqua Highlands,” states the Commission’s letter to NBLT’s executive director, Paul Lumia.
Lumia explained, “In keeping with the high standards established by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, accredited land trusts must reapply for accreditation every five years. The application process is rigorous and takes many months to complete for submission to The Commission. It’s a thorough process and NBLT is very pleased to receive this reaccreditation award and receive permission to continue to proudly use the accreditation seal.” Tammara Van Ryn, executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission stated, “The accountability provided by the accreditation seal helps increase public confidence in land trusts.”
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, established in 2006 as an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, is governed by a volunteer board of diverse land conservation and nonprofit management experts from around the country. The Land Trust Alliance based in Washington, DC, is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America.
For the past 25 years NBLT has conserved over 20,000 acres of land in eight surrounding counties – Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming. These conserved lands protect watersheds and community drinking water supplies, habitat for indigenous plants and animals, natural areas for outdoor recreational activities, and lands for local agriculture. The Land Trust is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and looks forward to conserving the next 20,000 acres in the years to come. The organization’s board of directors, volunteers, members, donors, and staff are deeply grateful for the community support which helps carry out NBLT’s conservation mission in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
If you are interested in becoming involved with NBLT by becoming a member, making a donation, volunteering, or conserving your land, please visit their website www.nblt.org or call the office 570-310-1781 for more information.
The Land Trust’s new term of accreditation runs through July 31, 2024.
North Branch Purchases 390 Acre Crystal Lake Tract
The North Branch Land Trust (NBLT) has recently purchased an important 389-acre tract of land in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County which will assist with water protection for the Delaware River and will improve public access and recreation opportunities to the Pinchot State Forest lands surrounding Crystal Lake.
The property sits atop the Delaware River Watershed and harbors wetlands and head water streams that feed into the Delaware River via the Bear Creek and Lehigh River. Trails on the property connect to existing trail networks on the neighboring state forest land. North Branch will be transferring the 389-acre parcel to the Pennsylvania State Forest system.
NBLT is grateful to have been able to purchase the land through grant support from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Community Conservation Partnership Program with funding from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, and the Open Space Institute’s Delaware River watershed Protection Fund which is made possible with funding from the William Penn Foundation for its Delaware River Watershed Initiative to protect water quality in the Delaware River Basin.
2018-2019 Membership Campaign Underway!
Posted on: July 20, 2018
Nature is the Best Playground!
Will your children, grandchildren, and future generations have the same opportunity to explore nature like you did?
Working together, we can conserve the places in nature that we cherish and leave a legacy for all generations to come: the opportunity and ability for children to experience nature and have it always be part of their lives.
Conservation projects like Camp Kresage, the D&L trail, and Little Wilkes-Barre Mountain all of which added thousands of acres for recreation and the opportunity to connect with nature, were made possible through membership donations! PLEASE BECOME A NEW MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP because conserving the precious land of Northeastern Pennsylvania depends on all of us working together.
If you have any questions about land conservation or current NBLT projects give the office a call at 570-310-1781.
Please accept our sincere appreciation for your generous support of land conservation and for helping ensure that children will always be connected with nature!
To donate please click: Renew or become a new member
