Natural Lands

American persimmons are absolutely beloved by our native wildlife! Skunks, foxes, black bears, turkeys, woodpeckers...all these critters (and many more) enjoy this fall fruit.

That’s why we kindly ask all our visitors not to forage. The wild fruits (and other foods) of our preserves belong to the wildlife who call our properties home.

State parks, however, do allow foraging for those who are interested.

📸: Rachel Rhodes

Hey, folks. We know your love is eternal and all that, but the vitality of what you find out on our preserves is not. Carving trees is akin to inflicting a wound and increases the risk of infection. Pictured here is a beech, a species already facing a blight called Beech Leaf Disease. They need all the help and support they can get right now…certainly not any more stress.

Aside from the health of our beautiful trees, memorial benches are sincere, heartfelt donations to the preserve made by the loved ones of those that have passed. They deserve respect. This particular bench was restored not even a month ago.

We know we are likely not speaking directly to the culprits and that the vast majority of our visitors are respectful. We simple ask that you help spread the word, and if you see something, say something.

Thanks so much, and enjoy this beautiful start to the new season.

Did you know spiders can make multiple types of silk? Unlike silk-making insects, spiders have specialized silks for different functions. One spider can usually make at least three different varieties of silk, while some orb weavers can make up to seven.

📸: Jake Vogler

Meadows hold interest throughout the year, but they definitely have a moment in fall! Blooming goldenrod, ironweed, rudbeckia, and other perennials provide important late-season nectar for our pollinators, some of which are preparing to migrate, currently migrating, or otherwise prepping for the winter ahead.

But also...meadows in fall are just so gosh-darn pretty.

📸: Donna Galanti

The owls have some competition...this might be one of the most photogenic raptors we’ve ever seen 😍

📸: Red-tailed hawk by Bill Moses

This salamander is still just a baby, and will rely on the shelter, protection, and moisture of leaf litter to survive to see spring. Please keep this in mind as the leaves begin to fall, and make a plan to leave the leaves wherever and however you can this year.

Remember, one person can’t do everything...but everyone can do something 😊 Even just one extra square-foot of leaves in the yard is better than none.

📸: Preston Wilson

Eastern brook trout are sensitive creatures. These native fish are the only members of the salmon family indigenous to Pennsylvania, and they cannot survive without clean, cold water. In fact, scientists consider them a bellwether species, meaning that they reflect the health of the watersheds they inhabit.

Sadly, wild brook trout populations are in decline due to habitat loss from development, elevated water temperatures, and pollution.

This particular trout was found in a creek that runs through our nearly 4,000-acre Bear Creek Preserve in Luzerne County, PA. Fortunately, this creek is still home to a thriving population of eastern brook trout.

Please note: This fish was caught and released by a professional as part of a (successful) grant submission to do water quality monitoring on the creek.

📸: Tyler Marino

Stroud Preserve was once part of the Laird farm, a massive tract that stretched from the city of West Chester west to Wawaset Road. The Laird family raised beef cattle and, later, the Stroud family used the farm to train Labrador Retrievers.

In 1990, Dr. Morris Stroud donated his 332-acre Georgia farm to Natural Lands, establishing Stroud Preserve. Since then, the preserve has nearly doubled in size through additional donations and purchases of neighboring properties.

📸: Steven Cannon

Natural Lands' NextGen Council Chairperson, Jarrodd Davis, shares some reflections on our annual Stardust celebration — including the fact that roughly 15% of Stardust ticket-holders were in their 20s, 30s, and 40s this year. This is a serious increase from previous years.

Read more:

June Reflections on Stardust Every acre we save cleans and cools the air we breathe, soaks up floodwaters, provides wildlife with habitat, filters the water we drink, and brings humans improved health and joy.