Take a look at what’s happening at LGNC!
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.
Description: Join LGNC Founder and Director Emeritus Dan Kunkle on a summer hike to the 3 Ponds Trail located on the western end of LGNC’s Refuge! This will be a natural history walk where we will look for birds, turtles, frogs, dragonflies, plants and more! We hope to find turtles sunning on the platforms in the ponds and dragonflies hunting mosquitoes. We will bring a net to try to catch some insects for close looks and a dip net to see what we can find in the pond water. Bring your binoculars, but we will have extra to borrow. People of all ages and experience levels are welcome to attend. This area can be wet and buggy, so wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet and bring water!
PLEASE NOTE: This event does NOT meet at the Osprey House.
Meet at D&L East Penn Trailhead. Find directions here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1houLEQK58afAPQHA
Fee: LGNC members: FREE | Non-members: $5 per person
Registration: Please register online through 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.
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.
Program Description: Search for moths, caterpillars, bats, and other creatures of the night. Discover critters that glow in the dark with black light flashlights! Flashlights will be provided.
Registration: Please register via at this link!
Fee: LGNC members: FREE | LGNC non-members: $10 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.