Wildlands Conservancy is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. DEI strengthens our mission of connecting people with nature through environmental education, land protection, and stewardship.
What We’ve Done at Our Nature Preserves
Language shouldn’t be a barrier to making lasting connections to nature.
The kiosks at our Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary and our South Mountain Preserves have map brochures in English and Spanish, which is a top priority since those nature preserves neighbor Allentown where 47.5% of residents speak a non-English language.
We believe that access to green spaces and making lasting connections to nature is a right that everybody should have equitable access to.
Our South Mountain Preserve’s ADA Trail loop with only 10 ft of elevation change leads out directly from the trailhead by taking the middle, gravel path. It’s lined with eastern redbud trees, spicebush, and wineberry bushes and circles the perimeter of the deer exclosure fence.
COMING SOON
The boardwalk construction work on the Floodplain Trail, which is underway at our Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary, aims to create ADA accessibility leading from our handicapped parking and along the Little Lehigh.
What We Do With Environmental Education
From our nature preserve users to school-age students engaged in our environmental education programming, we encourage and prioritize the inclusion of folks from diverse backgrounds.
Our Wild About Learning program brings nature to schools in environmental justice-areas identified by United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and benefits 250+ first-graders annually. The 6–10-week, literacy-based program culminates with a field trip to our nature preserves, which is a life-changing experience for students who seldom, if ever, connect with the natural resources in their backyard. These lasting connections to nature can follow these students into adulthood and inspire future environmentalists.
“I really loved how the program incorporated mindfulness along with animal sharing. Our students, since they are inner-city kids, do not have many opportunities to interact with animals that are found in the wild. They learned that animals, just like people, have feelings too. They also learned to respect the animals while learning many interesting facts”.
-Quote from an anonymous teacher of a class benefited by our Wild About Learning program, Fall 2023
We’re Thankful for Our Volunteers
Our partnership with our friends at Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley fosters environmental justice by helping our community members most affected by environmental issues in our region have positive and meaningful experiences in nature.
PNLV has shared its time to help enhance both Black River Sanctuary (opening in 2024) and South Mountain Preserve. Both nature preserves feature overlooks of the City of Allentown skyline, a special perspective for all visitors. They paved the way for lasting connections to nature by building and maintaining trails and helping with invasive species management.
The Promise Trail at our Black River Sanctuary is a testament to their dedicated efforts.
RESOURCES
- About Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley
- Land Trust Alliance’s DEI Framework and Resources for Change
- WeConservePA DEI Resources: Anti-Racism Resources, Diversity & Inclusion in Conservation, and much more
- Indigenous People’s Land GIS Map
- Our Conservation Easement Partner, PA DCNR’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Page
Interested in partnering with us to advance DEI in nature? Let us know!
Questions and comments, contact:
Wildlands Conservancy
3701 Orchid Place
Emmaus, PA, 18049
610.965.4397
info@wildlandsPA.org