Gouldsboro, PA -- On a rainy Wednesday afternoon last week, Wildlands Conservancy, along with several public agencies and funding partners of the newly preserved Klondike Property, gathered together under a large white tent to share their immense gratitude for partnership and for the protection of approximately 500 acres near the headwaters of the Lehigh River.

Though it was a cloudy day and the ground was overly saturated from the rain, the mood of those gathered was joyful and uplifting. This was a celebratory occasion for land and water conservation in the upper Lehigh River watershed. The same Lehigh River that spans 109 miles from southern Wayne County to its confluence with the Delaware River in Easton, begins here.

The headwaters of the Lehigh River

Contained within this protected land are nearly 200 acres of thriving wetlands, several miles of pristine first water streams and a range of diverse wildlife. The value of this property, though immeasurable, can be discerned from its high quality clean drinking water and untouched wildlife habitat. With the property having been permanently protected, it is now in the hands of the Pennsylvania Game Commission as part of their State Game Lands 312. Under their stewardship, it will remain just as it is today - a treasure for future generations to enjoy.

The process for protecting a property of this magnitude involved the participation of many environmental partners and four patient years of planning. The partners, who generously provided funding for the purchase, included the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Palmerton Natural Resource Trustee Council, the Open Space Institute and the William Penn Foundation. Several sportsman’s groups, namely the National Wild Turkey Federation and Hokendauqua Trout Unlimited, among others, also contributed. A representative of each partner entity was in attendance and many voiced their appreciation to Wildlands Conservancy for their steadfast partnership and for having been fortunate to have seen its protection come to fruition.

The event concluded with a walking tour of the property for attendees to glimpse the splendor of the wetlands and the origin of the Lehigh. While walking, it was difficult to miss the diversity of native grasses, ground cover, wetland shrubs and forested woods. There was so much to take in.

The following images barely do it justice. (All photos were taken by Rachel Rosenfeld)

The Lehigh River flows into wetlands on the Klondike Property near Gouldsboro, PA.

Wetlands

Christopher Kocher, Executive Director of Wildlands Conservancy, thanks everyone for attending.

Rachel Rosenfeld is a Community Outreach Coordinator with a focus on water issues and volunteer support in Bethlehem, PA.  If you would like to learn more or get involved, please contact Rachel at rachel.rosenfeld@sierraclub.org. This article is part of our Summer 2018 Sylvanian Newsletter. To read other articles from this issue, please click here.