This coming month, Wildlands offers 4 exciting Community & Education Events:

• Our First Day Hike with President Chris Kocher at our newly opened Black River Sanctuary!
• Our annual “Get Out! For Wellness” Stone Soup Stroll, free to the public
• A free Pre-K Pathfinder program, learning about our Forest Friends at Trexler Nature Preserve;
• A Snowshoe Stroll with hot cocoa at Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary

 

January 1, 2025

Wildlands Conservancy – First Day Hike with President, Chris Kocher – 10:00AM – 12:00PM EST at Black River Sanctuary, Northwest entrance, 1300 Black River Road, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Begin the New Year in the best way possible – enjoying our NEW nature preserve! Join us for a New Year’s hike at the newly opened Black River Sanctuary. Led by Wildlands Conservancy president, Chris Kocher, this special hike offers a unique opportunity to explore the sanctuary’s natural features, many of which are inaccessible to the public. This hike easy-to-moderate hike will climb to a lookout point that showcases 270-degree views over Allentown and meadows and ponds. Chris will share the history of the property and its connection to the surrounding area. Questions? Contact Veronica Rosenberger at vrosenberger@wildlandspa.org. This event is free; please register online at: https://engage.wildlandspa.org/component/events/event/190.

 

January 7, 2025

Wildlands Conservancy – PreK Pathfinders: Forest Friends, Trexler Nature Preserve – 10:00AM – 11:00AM EST at Trexler Nature Preserve- Environmental Education Center, 4935 Orchard Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078. For children aged 3-5 and their grown-ups. Discover the forest through stories, wildlife and outdoor exploration. Learn how animals survive the winter through games and a wildlife presentation. Take the fun home with a pinecone bird feeder to feed your backyard birds. Questions? Arianna Kohler, AKohler@wildlandspa.org. This event is free; please register online at: https://engage.wildlandspa.org/calendar/event/192 .

 

January 18, 2025

Wildlands Conservancy – Get Out! For Wellness: Stone Soup Stroll – 10:00AM – 12:00PM EST at Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049. Enjoy the company of fellow walkers as you explore the wintery trails at the Sanctuary. Prizes will be given to those GOFW folks who have been on 10 or more events in 2024. As the tradition of Stone Soup dictates, we’ll cook up pots of “stone” soup over two open fires—one vegetarian and one beef. Bring a vegetable (fresh or canned) to add to the pot or bring some rolls to go with. Questions? Contact Arianna Kohler, AKohler@wildlandspa.org. This event is free; please register online at: https://engage.wildlandspa.org/calendar/event/191.

 

January 25, 2025

Wildlands Conservancy – Snowshoe Stroll with Hot Cocoa – 1:00PM – 2:30PM EST at Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049.   Join us on a guided snowshoe hike through the picturesque Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, exploring the beauty of the season and learning about local ecosystems, wildlife adaptations, and the impact of winter on the environment. If snow is scarce, we’ll swap snowshoes for a traditional hike, ensuring the adventure continues! After the hike, gather around for a steaming cup of hot chocolate and discuss ways to protect and appreciate our natural world year-round. Suitable for ages 6 and up, Questions? Contact Haley D’Agostino at HDAgostino@wildlandspa.org. There is a nominal fee; please register online at: https://engage.wildlandspa.org/calendar/event/189.