Upcoming events at LGNC:
Description: Young explorers of all ages are invited to discover the cool critters of LGNC this summer! Each family-fun nature walk will meet at LGNC’s Osprey House. Kids will learn to use insect nets to catch and identify insects. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes (no sandals), sunscreen, and a hat. All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Walks will be cancelled if heavy rain or thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Registration: Click here to register via Zeffy at this link!
Fee: LGNC members: FREE | Non-members: Suggested donation of $5 per person
To become a member, please visit our Square store at this link!
Questions? Contact us at mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.
Description: Join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm outside LGNC’s Osprey House for a serene and educational nature walk. This event offers participants the opportunity to observe a variety of birds, native plants, animals, and unique ecosystems that thrive in the Lehigh Gap. Lace up your walking shoes or hiking boots and join us for a memorable evening in nature. If you would like to join our hike but need ADA accommodations, please contact us. Hikes will be easy to moderate and approximately 1 to 1.5 hrs in length. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Event will be canceled if heavy rain or thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Fee: LGNC members: FREE | Non-members: $5 per adult – Kids FREE
Registration: Please RSVP- Click here to register online through Zeffy!
To become a member, please visit our Square store at this link!
Questions? Contact us at mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.
Pack up your paints and spend a day plein air painting at Lehigh Gap Nature Center! Join us on either June 17, July 14, OR August 6 from 9:00am – 12:00pm for this open-format program where each participant is invited to bring their own supplies (all mediums are welcome!) and create artwork outside inspired by the Lehigh Gap Refuge!
Compact travel easels are available to borrow, but you are welcome to bring your own set up. Each person must bring their own art supplies. We have water containers for paint and limited brushes available to borrow. The plein air session will take place outside, please dress for the weather and wear shoes fit for walking outside. Please note that there is no instructor leading this program; our free plein air painting days are an opportunity to create art alongside other artists while enjoying the views of the Lehigh Gap!
Fee: FREE!
Registration: Click here to RSVP now!
To become a member, please visit our Square store at this link!
Questions? Contact us at mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.
Lehigh Gap Bike and Raft
Description: Explore the Lehigh River and D&L Trail on a biking and rafting adventure between Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s Osprey House (8844 Paint Mill Rd., Slatington) and Bowmanstown. The trip includes professional safety guides and beginner level instruction. We will make stops along the way to learn about local history and ecology with a river study led by LGNC staff. All equipment, including bikes, helmets, PFDs, and rafts will be provided. All participants should know how to ride a bicycle.
This activity is family-friendly. However, the recommended minimum age to participate is 10. This event is sponsored by Jim Thorpe River Adventures and will serve as a fundraiser for Lehigh Gap Nature Center; your participation in this event will directly support Lehigh Gap Nature Center. Registration is required and spots are limited.
Fee: LGNC members: $50 per person | Non-members: $75 per person
Registration: Please register online via Zeffy at this link!
To become a member, please visit our Square store at this link!
Questions? Contact us at mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.
Celebrate our important pollinators! Enjoy exhibits, a native plant sale, and other activities throughout the day! This event is free to attend and no RSVP is required.
Activities:
10:00 a.m. — Pollinator Walk. Discover the many pollinators that live in LGNC’s habitat gardens, and “bee” sure to keep an eye out for native bees! Kids and families are encouraged to attend. Insect nets will be provided.
11:00 a.m. —FREE Bee Talk Presentation from Tom Lindeman from Dedko’s Bees!
1:00 p.m. — Native Plant Walk. Learn about the 200+ species of native plants in LGNC’s Sensory Garden.
2:00 p.m. — Pollinator Walk. Discover the many pollinators that live in LGNC’s habitat gardens, and “bee” sure to keep an eye out for native bees! Kids and families are encouraged to attend. Insect nets will be provided.
All day activities will include a butterfly photo station, games, and family friendly activities!
Refreshments will be available, donations are encouraged!
Native Plant Sale — Select from a large variety of native plants at LGNC’s popular summer plant sale! All proceeds from the plant sale will support LGNC’s native landscaping programs.
Mystery of the Lehigh Gap – Play a series of fun and engaging mini-games as you time travel to 1845, 1853, and 1912 to learn about historical mining, transportation, and industrial processes for a zinc smelting plant at the Lehigh Gap.
Art Exhibition — Peruse an exhibition of bee themed artwork produced by local artists! ENTER YOUR ARTWORK FOR THE ART EXHIBITON HERE: https://forms.gle/1P2JL5pzTqs7JkoL8
Artist Tables — Members from the Nature in Art Club will have tables set up doing art demonstrations and selling their artwork!
Description: Join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm outside LGNC’s Osprey House for a serene and educational nature walk. This event offers participants the opportunity to observe a variety of birds, native plants, animals, and unique ecosystems that thrive in the Lehigh Gap. Lace up your walking shoes or hiking boots and join us for a memorable evening in nature. If you would like to join our hike but need ADA accommodations, please contact us. Hikes will be easy to moderate and approximately 1 to 1.5 hrs in length. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Event will be canceled if heavy rain or thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Fee: LGNC members: FREE | Non-members: $5 per adult – Kids FREE
Registration: Please RSVP- Click here to register online through Zeffy!
To become a member, please visit our Square store at this link!
Questions? Contact us at mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.
Lehigh Gap Bike Tour
Description: Pack up your bike and explore the D&L Trail with LGNC Board Member Brandon Fogal! The Lehigh Gap Bike Tour will begin at Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s Osprey House (8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington) and go up to Weissport and back, totaling about 15 miles round trip. We will make stops along the way to learn about local history and ecology.
The trip includes a professional guide, and participants must bring their own bikes and helmets as these items will not be provided. Please bring a backpack with water and a snack, and be sure to pack some cash to stop for ice cream on the way back! This activity is family-friendly. However, the recommended minimum age to participate is 10. Registration is required and spots are limited.
Fee: LGNC members: $15 per person | Non-members: $20 per person
Registration: Please register online via Zeffy at this link!
To become a member, please visit our Square store at this link!
Questions? Contact us at mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.
Program Description: Discover the fascinating ecosystem that lies below the Lehigh River! During this special program with LGNC and Berks Nature, participants will have the opportunity to wade and snorkel in the shallows of the river. As we observe a host of aquatic life, we will discuss what many of these critters can teach us about the health and quality of the water. Participants must be at least 10 years old to enter the river. All children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Be sure to wear a swimsuit, closed-toe water shoes or old sneakers, and sunscreen. Wet suits and other snorkeling gear will be provided.
Registration: Please register via Zeffy at this link!
Fee: LGNC members: $30 | Non-members: $35 per person
To become a member, please visit our Square store at this link!
Questions? Contact us at mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.
2025 Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp
LGNC’s Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp is a summer day camp for children in grades K-2 and their parents and guardians! Over a series of 4 days, campers will learn about critters and their habitats as we discover what lives in LGNC’s forest, grassland, river, and pond ecosystems. The camp will meet at the Nature Center from 9:00 a.m. to noon. All children must be accompanied by an adult for this camp. Campers and their adults will discover a variety of critters that call the Lehigh Gap home as we explore the habitats around LGNC’s Osprey House! Each day of camp will include a story time, an outdoor adventure, and a craft.
Fee: $100 for LGNC Members / $125 for LGNC Non-members | Financial aid is available upon request
The 2025 camp will take place July 8-11, 9 AM-12 PM.
Please register online at this link:
bit.ly/LGNC_BN_25
Please contact us at mail@lgnc.org if you have any questions!
Description: Join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm outside LGNC’s Osprey House for a serene and educational nature walk. This event offers participants the opportunity to observe a variety of birds, native plants, animals, and unique ecosystems that thrive in the Lehigh Gap. Lace up your walking shoes or hiking boots and join us for a memorable evening in nature. If you would like to join our hike but need ADA accommodations, please contact us. Hikes will be easy to moderate and approximately 1 to 1.5 hrs in length. All ages welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Event will be canceled if heavy rain or thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Fee: LGNC members: FREE | Non-members: $5 per adult – Kids FREE
Registration: Please RSVP- Click here to register online through Zeffy!
To become a member, please visit our Square store at this link!
Questions? Contact us at mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.
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Landscaping for Communities & Wildlife
Click here to visit the Lehigh Valley Native Plant Directory and see our downloadable conservation landscaping resources below!
News and Current Events:
Mystery of the Lehigh Gap
LGNC is excited to announce the launch of a new virtual reality learning game designed by Lehigh University!
873 Bridge Construction
Attention LGNC visitors:
Starting March 6, 2025, the nearby Rt. 873 bridge will be partially closed for construction. As crews work to rehabilitate the bridge over the next year or so, only the northbound lane (toward Rt. 248) will remain open. Southbound traffic will be rerouted through Walnutport and Slatington. The Appalachian Trail, D&L Trail, and Paint Mill Rd. will remain open.
Although this will not impact access to the Nature Center, visitors should be aware of the detour and plan for the possibility of increased traffic.
The Neffs National Bank EITC
LGNC sends a huge thanks to The Neffs National Bank for its continued support through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. This generous donation of $15,000 will allow LGNC to provide affordable environmental education programs for area school districts. We appreciate the support of The Neffs National Bank in making environmental education accessible to local students.
Call for Volunteers
Lehigh Gap Nature Center is looking for volunteers to help with our information desk, our education programming, and the Bake Oven Knob Hawk Count!
• Are you interested in meeting new people and helping visitors who are looking to make the most out of their visit to LGNC? Our Information Specialist volunteers play an important role in keeping our building open daily year-round!
Commitment: 3 to 3.5-hour shifts available year round during business hours
Responsibilities: Staffing the Osprey House front desk; greeting and helping visitors; selling merchandise
• Would you love to teach and engage young people in environmental science? Our Education Team volunteers assist the staff during field trips when nearby schools visit the Nature Center in the fall and spring. Their help allows us to continue inspiring students with our story and connecting them to the outdoors.
Commitment: 2-4 hours per field trip September-November and March-June
Responsibilities: Leading field trip stations for students in grades pre-k through high school
• Have you ever wanted to count migrating birds of prey while enjoying beautiful views? For over 60 years, our Hawk Count volunteers have counted migrating birds that fly past Bake Oven Knob in the late summer and fall. The data collected during these counts are entered into an international research database.
Commitment: 4 to 8-hour shifts available Fridays and Saturdays August-November
Responsibilities: Counting migrating birds and recording data
For all volunteer positions, LGNC will provide training, supplies, and a great experience! There is no obligation to volunteer on a regular basis. Only help out if it fits your schedule.
Our volunteers play a vital role in helping LGNC fulfill its mission. We are so grateful for their dedication, and we would love to welcome more volunteers into our organization!
Please email us at volunteering@lgnc.org or call us at 610-760-8889 if you are interested in learning more.
View the New Lehigh Valley Native Plant Directory
LGNC Restoration Mini Documentary
Michal Kubik Memorial Education Fund
