The Brodhead Watershed Association will hold its annual Ramble at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 2138 Croasdale Road, Stroudsburg, Monroe County on August 5. Participants will have their choice of fun events!
Cherry Valley Hike - Get Outdoors Poconos
Carol Hillestad will lead a 2-mile moderate hike in the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge starting at Noon.
A year ago, a former golf course in Stroud Township, Pa., became the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Since then, its fairways and greens have returned to nature, no longer hyper-fertilized, mowed or manicured.
On a hot, still July afternoon, the true beauty of this place unfolds like a new butterfly. The rolling hills are now paradise for pollinators. Queen Anne’s lace, yellow tickseed, daisies and black-eyed Susans, milkweed, Joe Pye weed and 6-foot candelabra of mullein fill the open areas.
Cherry Creek, with some assistance from Trout Unlimited, looks healthier. No longer mowed right up to the edge of the banks, the water is shadier and dappled with sunlight. Its musical bubbling is delicious to hear. Two bridges across the creek have already been rebuilt.
Along the cart paths, interpretive signs suggest plants or animals to look for, describe how a power line cut can be beneficial in a natural landscape, and explain why good water quality is important, and other items of interest.
The Get Outdoors Poconos hike series is administered by Brodhead Watershed Association and supported by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.
The hike is free but registration is required. Direction will be provided upon registration. Call Call 570-839-1120 or 570-629-2727 or send email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org.
Drive-Yourself EcoTour
A drive-yourself eco-tour, starting and ending at Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, will focus on the agricultural legacy of Cherry Valley which has resulted in a strong land- and water-conservation ethic.
Starting at 1 p.m., Ramble participants will tour natural highlights along a mapped driving route, each spot staffed by some of the area’s finest naturalists eager to share their knowledge and love of the watershed.
Stops will feature the Josie Porter Farm, Eagles Rest Cellars and its vineyard, and Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
At the national wildlife refuge, Ramblers will see the creek improvement projects made by Trout Unlimited’s Brodhead Chapter, and how stream monitoring by East Stroudsburg University students provides real-time data on water quality.
This event is sponsored by Brodhead Watershed Association and the Friends of Cherry Valley.
Snorkeling For Kids - Water Wiser Kids
Starting at 12:30, Brittney Coleman, an environmental educator with the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, will introduce elementary-age children to do creek snorkeling.
“Creek snorkeling is like roaming around inside a natural aquarium,” says Coleman. “You see tiny underwater forests and landscapes up close. Fish, plants, aquatic insects — it’s truly another world.”
“People care about things they know and understand,” says Bob Heil, BWA’s executive director. “While learning about the natural world we share, children learn to love it, too.”
Snorkeling gear is provided. The program is aimed at elementary-age children, but siblings, parents, and grandparents are welcome to take part.
This event is part of the Water Wiser Kids Series sponsored by Brodhead Watershed Association, funded by a Dr. Claus Jordan Endowment Grant from Lehigh Valley Health Network Pocono Foundation.
Ramble
Enjoy food and conversation at the after-Ramble party, 4 to 5 p.m. at the Refuge. Please bring your own refillable water bottle! In keeping with BWA’s environmental standards, no bottled water will be available. Filling stations will be available at each Ramble stop.
Suggested donation for the Ramble is $10 for Friends of Cherry Valley and Brodhead Watershed Association members, $15 for non-members, with a $2 discount for pre-registration by August 1. Children under 12 attend for free. The after-party is included in the cost. Tickets sales benefit FOCV and BWA.
This year’s Ramble is sponsored by the generosity of Cherry Creek Hideaway, Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Bolock Funeral Home & Crematory and Mountain Creek Stable.
To register, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association Ramble webpage. For information, call 570-839-1120 or send email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org.
(Photo: Cherry Creek flows through the Refuge. Nancy J. Hopping.)
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