Brodhead Creek Heritage Center at ForEvergreen Nature Preserve is a joint effort by: The Brodhead Watershed Association and Pocono Heritage Land Trust in a successful public-private partnership with Stroud Township
2. The Brodhead Creek Heritage Center
is a key component to making
ForEvergreen Nature Preserve
a natural hub of community life.
Joint effort by:
The Brodhead Watershed Association
Pocono Heritage Land Trust
in a successful public-private partnership
with Stroud Township
3. The Brodhead Creek Heritage Center
is a 4,000 square-foot nature, culture and
heritage center is planned to advance the goal of
helping children, their parents, and grandparents
connect with nature.
4. Protect our drinking water quality and supply!
Brodhead Watershed Association is a grassroots
organization, founded in 1989 by a group of citizens
concerned about the impacts of hyper-development
on water quality. Our mission is to protect and
enhance water quality and quantity in the greater
Brodhead watershed. Successes include: assembling
scientific data over two decades on stream health,
educating the public and elected officials on how
water works and how they can help keep drinking
water pure, advocating smart water policy, and
installing and advising on green infrastructure to keep
water safe. Dedicated to protecting and improving
water resources and the environment in the
Brodhead and Cherry Creek Watershed.
Protect our land!
PHLT was founded in 1984 as a 501(c)(3) non-
profit organization in the Poconos, dedicated
to protecting the natural heritage of our Pocono
Mountains region by conserving land and
providing educational and recreational activities to inspire
people to care for, enjoy, and explore their natural
world. Preserving our natural heritage ensures that our
children and grandchildren will still have places to hike,
bike, fish, hunt, see wildlife, or just sit quietly and enjoy
the beauty of nature. Pocono Heritage Land Trust is
supported through grants from the Monroe County
Open Space Program, the Commonwealth of PA
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and
by donations from individuals, foundations, and local
businesses.
Why is
Pocono Heritage
Land Trust important?
Why is
Brodhead Watershed
Association important?
5. HOW A GOLF COURSE BECAME
A NATURE PRESERVE
ForEvergreen Nature Preserve was acquired by Stroud
Township 2013 as a 43-acre permanently protected open
space area designated as a nature preserve.
The former Evergreen Golf course of StroudTownship is
now home to the ForEvergreen Nature Preserve rural
retreat dedicated to passive use suits any age group not
only to to stroll, run or walk but to bike the trail, walk a
dog or fish in the Brodhead Creek, widely regarded as the
nascent spot of American fly fishing. Only the first leg of the
loop is uphill and winds into a relaxing, flat trail hike. Most
people who remember the manicured golf but usually
spotted it from the roadways. Now they can enjoy a
peaceful, beautiful view of the most spectacular tree
stands(?) and lush grass all around to sit down when the
weather warms and grab a blanket and a book for a
leisurely afternoon.
6. nature preserve (noun) ~ a tract of land protected and
managed so as to preserve its interesting flora, fauna,
and unique natural and physical features, with dedicated
areas for exploring and/or viewing nature.
7. WHAT IS
FOREVERGREEN NATURE PRESERVE?
This 43 acre nature and fishing preserve:
โข Protects half a mile of Brodhead Creek, the land and waters where fly fishing in America was born.
โข Expands the Brodhead Creek Greenway
โข Protects clean drinking water for 22,000 neighbors in Monroe County and millions in downstream cities
like Easton, Allentown, Trenton, Camden, Philadelphia,Wilmington, and more are all influenced by the
Brodhead.
โข Creates a green, open-air community space
โข Set aside for wildlife, habitat restoration and nature observation through a gradual and managed
succession of the old field and forest habitats. Conservation volunteers work hand in hand to turn old
golf greens, sand traps and fairways into a place to observe and enjoy natureโs mysteries and miracles.
8. BENEFITS PEOPLE, THE
COMMUNITY, OUR ECONOMY
With 4,000 square feet of space for environmental displays, education and offices,
Brodhead Creek Heritage Center will welcome people of all ages and abilities,
connecting them with the natural world around them.
โข People need nature.
โข Playing and learning together creates and supports a community.
โข Activities at the center and throughout the preserve will be guided by
principles of good stewardship.
โขThe mission of BWA and PHLT will be significantly supported by having
permanent offices in a visible location.
โข Support to local businesses.
9. THE VISION FOR THE BRODHEAD
CREEK NATURE PRESERVE:
Learning, Growing, Doing Science:
Special focus on the natural historical heritage of the Poconos, keeping drinking water
pure, and the importance of green forests and clean water
The Brodhead Creek Heritage Center is designed to provide space for multiple uses:
โข Rotating display space focusing on water science, the story of fly fishing, conservation
exhibits and "how water works" education about creeks and groundwater, vernal pool
demonstration, water quality art and photography
โข Water education class space available to local environmental education centers
โข Streamwatcher training in how to monitor and report water quality data.
โข Rotating display focusing on land conservation, including Air, Land, andWater Pollution,
Composting, GPS Mapping, Recycling & Reuse, Earth Day Activities, Gardening, Hunting,
Fairy Gardens, Crafts using Natural Materials like rocks & corks, pressed flowers and
much more!
โข Environmental themed films for public viewing
10. THE VISION FOR THE BRODHEAD
CREEK NATURE PRESERVE:
Environmental Education Groups:
Programs focused on pure water at the center, from creek snorkeling to bug and fish
studies and real life research
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
โข Land stewardship, trail blazing, leading walks, office help, membership, public relations
and newsletter, website and social media, trail maintenance, carpentry, metalworking or
other construction, GPS, surveying or map making, chainsaw use, bird, fish or other
wildlife management, teaching, public speaking, graphic design or artist, web design or
development, photography, video production, finance or financial management,
fundraising or grant writing, creating presentations, writing & journalism, editing &
proofreading, event planning and more!
11. THE VISION FOR THE BRODHEAD
CREEK NATURE PRESERVE:
Displays and exhibits at the Center:
for tourists, locals fly fishers, historical associations
โข The story of fly fishing on the Brodhead; the birthplace of fly fishing
โข Railroads, boarding houses, and tourism in the Poconos
โข The Flood of 1955
โข The museum hopes to include: Trout fishing memorabilia, Schauer fly rods, &
photos of Henryville House, Hotel Rapids, Park House, Spruce Cabin Inn, Log
Cabin Inn,Albert House, and Lighthouse Tavern.
12. THE VISION FOR THE BRODHEAD
CREEK NATURE PRESERVE:
Displays and exhibits at the Center:
for adults & kids, hands on exhibits
โข Water science:
โข Connection between conserved forests and safe water
โข Cycle of water and โhow water worksโ
โข Human impacts on creeks and groundwater
โข Where drinking water comes from and how to keep it safe
โข Land science:
โข Wildlife protection
โข Air, Land, andWater Pollution
โข Littering, waste disposal, pollution control
โข Recycle & Reuse
โข Land-use changes: how a golf course becomes a nature preserve
โข Natural Playground
โข GIS / GPS Mapping & helpful apps
โข Hunting &Taxidermy
13. THE VISION FOR THE BRODHEAD
CREEK NATURE PRESERVE:
Training for citizen-scientists:
โข Stream watchers!
โข Monitoring and reporting water quality data
โข Land monitoring ~
Our volunteer program provides detailed training and opportunities for
volunteers who commit to serving on a monthly basis.Volunteers typically visit
PHLT nature preserves on a monthly basis to monitor any litter / dumping
problems, invasive plants, notify us of downed trees, etc. and will meet new
people & wildlife in the woods and will learn valuable conservation tips and best
land management practices, and become important Pocono Heritage LandTrust
ambassadors!
14. HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Fundraising is under way
Please join people throughout Monroe County who care about our land and water
by making a gift to the Brodhead Creek Heritage capital campaign. ESSA
Foundation and the county commissioners, among others, have pledged support
toward the goal of $750,000.
To help make the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center a reality for the community, please
donate by sending a check made out to PHLT or BWA, with a MEMO for
"BCHC/ForEvergreen",
mailed to either:
โข Pocono Heritage LandTrust BrodheadWatershed Association
P.O. Box 553 P.O. Box 339
Pocono Pines, PA 18350 Henryville, PA 18332
OR DONATE ONLINE at
http://brodheadcreekheritage.org/donate.html
15. โข Every gift of $50 or more will be memorialized at the center in
the Friends of Brodhead Creek Heritage Center logbook.
16. HOW WE CAN PARTNER WITH YOUR
ORGANIZATION:
Tailored to each organization
In many cases, there can be a significant benefit for a small business to
partner with a non-profit organization to give back to the community
and to gain exposure. A TV news story or article in the newspaper
can generate buzz about both organizations.This type of partnership
can truly be a win-win for all involved.
Contact us!
โข Pocono Heritage Land Trust Brodhead Watershed Association
P.O. Box 553 P.O. Box 339
Pocono Pines, PA 18350 Henryville, PA 18332
Phone: (570) 424-1514 Phone: (570) 839-1120
info@phlt.org info@brodheadwatershed.org