The 2024 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference (April 3-5) will take place at Wind Creek, Bethlehem. The greater Lehigh Valley makes for a marvelous case study in wide-ranging land conservation practices and historical preservation. From the iconic steel stacks of Bethlehem to the meticulously kept grounds of Heritage Conservancy‘s historic Aldie Mansion to the leafy trails of the preserves of Wildlands Conservancy and beyond, the region is rich with land and history. It offers conference attendees a chance to learn through observation, and the conference has sought to amplify those opportunities through in-person mobile seminars and, prior to arrival, through an online interactive ArcGIS Storymap experience.
Mobile Seminars
Wednesday April 3
Landscape Conservation Within the Kittatinny Ridge and Minsi Lake Greenway Corridor [10AM-4PM]: On this 2.5 mile hike, featured sites will highlight the compatibility and success of land conservation, stewardship, habitat restoration, and recreation in environmentally sensitive areas. We will see the vast corridors of open space conserved and the significance of vernal pools, woodlands, and general regional geology in land conservation efforts.
Jordan Creek Greenway Mobile Tour [11AM-4PM]: Join Wildlands Conservancy for a mobile tour of the Lehigh Valley’s Jordan Creek Greenway. The tour includes 3 stops with speakers on completed and ongoing projects. (CEU credit available.)
Soil Health Walk & Talk: Evolution of a Small Family Farm Using Agritainment [1-4PM]: We will also be exploring the evolution of a small family dairy farm, Klein Farms Dairy & Creamery and how they turned this operation around in a difficult milk market.
Thursday April 4
Land, Water, and Tree Crop Conservation in an Urban Environment [12-4PM]: Touring three locations within the Northampton County Parks system, attendees will learn about stream restoration, agroforestry, regional land conservation efforts, and more.
Friday April 5
Delaware & Lehigh Trail System Bicycle Tour: Canal Park, Allentown to Hugh Moore Park, Easton [11AM-3PM]: This 7.4 mile ride along the D&L trail follows the towpath and provides a relatively flat and smooth, mostly gravel surface for biking. Participants will be stopping frequently at spots along the trail for special guests to speak on topics such as history, conservation, and education.
Getting There Together: Conservation, Collaboration, Success [12-3PM]: This tour features two nature preserves – one owned by Lower Saucon Township and the other by Natural Lands.
Detailed information on these mobile seminars can be found at WeConservePA.org/Agenda-PLCC.
Lehigh Valley History and Land Conservation Featured in ArcGIS Storymap
WeConservePA GIS Analyst Irina Beal researched and designed a comprehensive window into conservation mapping in the Lehigh Valley, as well as industrial historical highlights and more, in this interactive regionally focused ArcGIS Storymap. Conference attendees can explore the region before attending the conference and doing so in person at the conference’s many mobile seminar opportunities.
