DRPWS Update

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, around noon, there was an accident involving a propane truck crossing the bridge into Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary (3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, Pa). The bridge collapsed while the propane truck was crossing the bridge to enter the property.

There were no injuries, and there was no environmental damage. The vehicle was removed from the property later that evening. Wildlands staff remained on site to work with emergency personnel.

Sanctuary Access & Programs

Dorothy Rider Pool Wildlife Sanctuary is closed until further notice. The public is encouraged to explore our 13 other nature preserves.

There is no public access to the Sanctuary at this time.

Community and environmental education programs scheduled to take place at the Sanctuary are being handled case-by-case and registrants will receive direct correspondence from education staff.

Access Restoration Plans & Related Information

We are in the final stages of our vendor selection process for the installation of the new bridge, and construction will begin within the next month.  

If all goes as planned, our beloved sanctuary will be open by the end of the summer.  

The sanctuary remains closed to the public until further notice. There is no public access currently, and we encourage you to explore our 13 other nature preserves. Your support helps keep these places safe, open, and accessible for all who call our region home.  

As of today, no final settlement has been reached yet with Sharp Energy’s parent company, Chesapeake Utilities Corporation. 

For the duration of operations without public access to the sanctuary, especially with resuming bus transportation for summer camp, as well as foreseeably managing ongoing, increased foot traffic at our 13 other nature preserves this summer, Wildlands Conservancy continues to incur additional operating costs to keep the community connected to nature.  

Summer Camp at the Sanctuary

Summer camp families have been notified that summer camp will use bus transportation again this season to shuttle campers to and from the sanctuary. We remain grateful to Lower Macungie Township for helping us secure use of Camp Olympic Park and Wild Cherry Park to support bus transportation for our summer campers.  

Thank You, Emergency Responders

On behalf of our board and staff, I want to express my deep gratitude to the fire, police, all emergency personnel, township, local and state officials, Yocum Towing & Recovery, and everyone who responded quickly and remained at the scene to ensure the safety of the community, those involved, and the natural environment.

We’ve received many messages asking how to help Wildlands at this moment.

Keeping our mission alive for the community always has, and always will, rely upon the community’s support. This truth is no different at this critical time.  

The Sanctuary is a local treasure, and it’s clear the community understands the gravity of living disconnected from it right now. Access to nature and programming is being impacted.

To this end, we encourage you explore our 13 other nature preserves. These special places are made possible by you, our giving community. Together, we keep these precious destinations open, safe, and accessible for all who call our region home.