Preservation

Preservation Efforts

Lacawac Sanctuary is a 550-acre nature preserve, research and educational center, and historic site located along Lake Wallenpaupack in the Pocono region of northeastern Pennsylvania. Lacawac encompasses a variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, the most significant of which is Lake Lacawac, a 52-acre pristine glacial lake and designated National Natural Landmark. Lake Lacawac is the focus of considerable scientific research dating back more than 30 plus years. Along with Lake Lacawac and its associated bogshed, the sanctuary features mature, second-growth forest; two constructed ponds; wetlands; vernal pools; perennial and intermittent streams; and a mile of shoreline along Lake Wallenpaupack. Lacawac is a site for university-level research programs, as well as various environmental education programs.

The preservation of natural resources is key to Lacawac Sanctuary’s mission and Lacawac is engaged in several preservation efforts. They include:

PLEON: The Pocono Lake Ecological Observatory Network is a regional lake monitoring program focused on educating the public and lake associations on water quality and lake management.
Land Protection: Lacawac connects local communities to the importance of actively supporting and sustaining our forests, and waters through land donation and easements.
Golden Winged Warbler Project: The Golden-Winged Warbler is a small migratory songbird of the New World Warbler family that breeds in Canada and the Appalachian mountains and winters in Central America. In 2017, Lacawac began to create and maintain the habitat necessary to sustain breeding populations within and adjacent to the birds current breeding range to attempt to boost the Appalachian mountain population.
Chronolog Environmental Monitoring: Chronolog is a new community/citizen science project that helps researchers and land managers install photo stations at environmentally significant locations. Lacawac has two photo stations monitoring the environment- one on the Big Lake Trail (forest monitoring) and one on the boardwalk off of the Lake Lacawac Trail (lake monitoring).
Forest and Deer Management: The Sanctuary’s interest to enhance habitat to support high quality hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities prompts an aggressive forest management approach centered on vegetation and brush management and invasive species control.