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Carbon County open‑space team reports outreach, two preservation projects and a 2,500‑acre easement
Summary
At a recent Carbon County open‑space meeting staff and advisory members described ongoing municipal outreach, two active preservation projects including a 2,500‑acre easement by Wildlands, plans to update natural‑heritage mapping, and a stepped‑up social‑media and publicity effort. A routine motion to approve July minutes carried by voice vote.
Carbon County open‑space staff and advisory members said at a recent meeting that municipal outreach is continuing, two preservation projects are moving forward and Wildlands completed a 2,500‑acre conservation easement in the county.
Program staff reported they have visited two new municipalities and are scheduling a final regional workshop for towns in the Lehigh region, listing Mahoning, Franklin, Lehigh Inn, Weisbord, Greenville, Loa and Tometsing as included places. Staff said turnout has varied by location: the Kittatinny Ridge regional workshop drew four attendees, the largest turnout so far, while another workshop for Jim Thorpe, Summit Hill and nearby boroughs had no attendees and may be re‑offered as an individual municipal session if there is interest.
The program has presented to the county’s council of governments and is scheduled to appear at that group's meeting on Sept. 23, staff said. Program leaders described outreach as a way to prompt municipal officials to take a more proactive approach to planning and to identify privately owned parcels that landowners might be willing to preserve through easements or other tools.
On conservation work, staff said the program currently has two projects under way and highlighted a recently completed 2,500‑acre conservation easement led by Wildlands in Penn Forest and Kidder townships. The easement is privately held, will be protected in perpetuity and includes forested land and feeder streams to Mud Run, a high‑quality cold water fishery that drains to the Lehigh River. Presenters said Open Space Institute funds and the Delaware River Watershed Initiative provided matching support for that project. Staff also noted that Wildlands has preserved more than 6,000 acres in Carbon County over the past decade.
Speakers raised recreation‑management issues tied to the county’s success at attracting visitors. East Penn Boat Launch and Jim Thorpe were cited as examples where demand has strained local capacity — heavy usage, garbage and enforcement needs were reported. Staff said municipal officials had contacted state offices and, in some instances, called State Police; they recommended involving the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for ramp enforcement where necessary.
Several participants urged updating the county’s natural‑heritage data. Staff said the county’s Pennsylania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) mapping is roughly two decades old; grant applications to update it were unsuccessful in a recent round. The group discussed existing online resources — notably the conservation‑explorer map that receives incremental data updates — and agreed that refreshed species and habitat data would strengthen applications for state grants such as DCNR funding.
Publicity and outreach plans were also discussed. Staff asked advisory members for photos and testimonials to populate a program Facebook page and other social channels. A short promotional video (roughly six to eight minutes) is being assembled, and a videographer captured footage at a recent celebration of the Resica property closing. The group encouraged regular social‑media posts (workshop notices, grant round openings/closings, property celebration recaps) and discussed soliciting short owner testimonials where landowners agree to be featured.
On program operations, staff said baseline monitoring and survey work for easements is proceeding but that field survey work is likely to be delayed until leaves fall to allow better visibility in the field. The Pennsylvania Game Commission installed one sign at the Resica property; staff said future site markers will likely be mounted on posts and might include reflective paint for visibility.
A routine procedural motion to approve the July 10 meeting minutes was made and carried by voice vote; individual roll‑call counts were not specified.
The group set its next regular meeting for Sept. 18 and noted the county council of governments workshop on Sept. 23. Staff asked advisory members to help spread the word about the open application period for projects once regional workshops conclude.
