Wildlands Conservancy | Discover Lehigh Valley

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Mapped location of Wildlands Conservancy

3701 Orchid Pl. Emmaus, Pennsylvania 18049

(610) 965-4397

Overview

Discover Black River Sanctuary, a 187-acre protected retreat nestled away from the busy cities of Bethlehem and Allentown. With seven scenic trails, including the Horizon Trail that reveals views of the Allentown skyline, this preserve offers a peaceful escape into nature. The sanctuary is rich in woodland with oaks, maples, tulip trees, and spicebush, and an understory lush with ferns. Its native grasslands are vibrant with wildflowers like milkweed, bee balm, and asters, while edible shrubs along the Sustenance Trail support diverse wildlife and pollinators.

Three pristine streams begin here, filtering through forests to supply clean water to the Lehigh Valley. Wildlife is abundant, including deer, songbirds, turkeys, amphibians, and even porcupines—often evidenced by tree scratches. An array of pollinators, such as monarchs and bees, thrive in various habitats, including wetlands.

An intersection of nature and art, Black River Sanctuary invites visitors to notice nature-inspired design elements, like tree-shaped parking and seasonal blooms along the powerline corridor. As an outdoor classroom and research site, it fosters learning and career exploration for students of all ages in partnership with local groups and volunteers.

Northwest entrance:
Black River Rd & Honeysuckle Rd
GPS coordinates: 40.57852, -75.42598
Southeast entrance:
Church Rd & Stonesthrow Rd
GPS coordinates: 40.57192, -75.41019

Rules:

– Preserve is open from dawn to dusk
– No motor vehicles or horses
– Be respectful of neighbors and private property
– Do not damage, disturb, or harm any plants, wildlife, or geology
– No collecting of these natural resources
– Do not dump or litter; carry out all trash
– Pets must be leashed, under control at all times, and cleaned up after
– Be respectful of others using the property; quiet increases the chances of viewing wildlife
– No glass containers
– No camping or fires
– No alcohol or illegal drugs
– No trapping; archery hunting for deer by permission only

– This site is not ADA compliant and includes steep, rocky terrain

It begins with one immovable mountain and a handful of forward-thinking citizens.

More than 40 years ago, community members put pencil to paper to say yes to a future for their beloved South Mountain. While perhaps unfamiliar with its exact ecological importance, they solidly knew it mattered and were inspired to protect it – forever.

With the committed support of Robert “Bob” Rodale, a local champion of organic farming and then chairman and chief of Rodale Press, these neighbors formed the Lehigh Valley Conservancy, a land-protection focused organization based in Bethlehem, Pa.

In 1975, Air Products founder Leonard Parker Pool, an earnest caretaker of the local natural environment and skeet-shooting friend to Rodale, bequeathed his 72-acre wildlife sanctuary to the Conservancy to preserve it “in its natural state for its open space, aesthetic, and wildlife values and the enjoyment of those values by the public.” The Conservancy soon moved its main office and education headquarters to today’s location, known as the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary property in Emmaus, Pa.

In the late 1980s, the organization further developed its education offerings, emphasizing more than ever the need to engage and nurture future environmental stewards. To better reflect the broadened scope of its mission, the name was formally changed to Wildlands Conservancy.

Fun & Recreational Events Not To Miss

The Lehigh River Sojourn, held every June
Bike & Boat Adventures, May through October
Wine and Dine, fundraiser held in fall
From hoot hikes and meteor shower campouts to butterflies and bat experts, Wildlands offers a world of ways to explore nature where you live! Browse full calendar here.

Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary provides habitat for 136 bird species including Bald Eagle, Baltimore Oriole, Canada Warbler, Hooded Merganser, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and Great Horned Owl. Other species including, White-tailed Deer, Red Fox, Canada Geese, Great Horned Owl, and Red-tailed Hawk regularly raise young on the preserve. Several ponds provide the opportunity for frogs, salamanders, dragonflies and damselflies to thrive. Large butterfly species such as Common Clearwings, Monarchs and Imperial Moths are common to the preserve.

Trails are accessible for hikers, responsible pet owners, trail runners, birdwatchers and other passive recreation. Grounds are open day to dusk. Please plan ahead. Pool Wildlife Sanctuary is a pack-out site. Please do not litter; carry out all trash, as receptacles are not provided.

The Trails

Floodplain trail, .4 miles

This shady boardwalk trail runs through the wetland riparian zone along the Little Lehigh Creek, passing ponds and stream overlooks. This trail is ADA accessible, with dedicated parking located nearby.

Pheasant Run trail, .45 miles

This flat trail runs through a mix of hardwood and evergreen groves, with thick understory shrubs. The trail then loops through a sunny wildflower meadow where red-tailed hawks and foxes are occasionally spotted. ADA parking is available in the grassy area near Pheasant Run’s entrance and provides easy access to the pavilion and Floodplain trail.

Sensory trail, .68 miles

The Sensory trail provides rope-guided hiking and environmental educational opportunities for the visually impaired. Braille signs and tactile sensory displays provide an interactive experience. This region of the preserve is open meadow with lots of sun and wildflowers. Access to the sensory trail is available off Farr Rd, with a dedicated parking lot and pavilion.

PA Tree ID trail, .1 miles

The PA Tree ID trail is a great example of native tree species- each labeled for easy identification. Deer frequent this area, if one is quiet, they will often stay nearby. This short, flat trail forks to connect to Pheasant Run at both ends.

Backyard Conservation trail, .36 miles

The Backyard Conservation trail is a hilly steep trail that runs on a ridge above the Little Lehigh. The trail passes through dense upland habitat before connecting to the Woodlands Trail and Sensory trail. Spurs from this trail lead to the Bird Blind, and a small pond.

Switchback trail, .27 miles

This trail switchbacks up the hill from its beginnings near the Bird Blind and Wildflower Meadow. This trail provides an easier, less steep, route for accessing the Woodlands trail than the Backyard Conservation trail. Forest and grassy areas are interspersed along this route and dense stands of yellow-blooming Wingstem create a unique corridor.

Woodlands trail, .4 miles

The Woodlands trail is the longest and most remote of the trails on the preserve. This area contains some of the most mature woodlands on the property and as the quietest trail, often exhibits the largest number of interior woodland bird species.