Pool Wildlife Sanctuary

Wildlands Conservancy
601 Orchid Place
Emmaus, PA 18049-1637
(610) 965-4397
Internet

The Wildlands Conservancy, its professionals, and its volunteers, have worked tirelessly for more than two decades to ensure the ecological well being of Eastern Pennsylvania through land purchases, resource management, and public education. This 72-acre sanctuary was a gift by bequest in 1975 from Leonard Parker Pool, founder of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of services, from thematic trails to nature exhibits to educational programs for individuals and groups to seasonal events for the family. A Wildlife Rehabilitation Center aids injured, abandoned, or ill animals and birds.

Six trails, ranging in length from one-tenth to three quarters of a mile, wind through the Sanctuary:

• The Urban Forest Trail passes through an arboretum, part of the Conservancy's urban forest demonstration project
• The Woodland Loop Trail features eastern deciduous forest
• The Backyard Conservation Trail demonstrates methods to attract wildlife to your back yard
• The Pennsylvania Tree Identification Trail highlights bark patterns and other characteristics
• Pheasant Run Trail is a popular home for songbirds
• Floodplain Trail crosses the Little Lehigh Creek to enter the habitats created by a five-year flood plain.

The Trexler Environmental Center is the site of changing exhibits, and the starting point for the many educational programs the Conservancy schedules for individuals, families and groups throughout the year. A calendar tells about these, as well as special events. Program topics are varied, and Adult Groups can also schedule a program that addresses their specific needs.School Groups can choose from dozens of interactive programs. Hooks, Wings, and Parachutes (grades Pre-K - 2) investigates the many methods a seed uses to get around. Habitat Sense (Pre-K - 2) puts the five senses to use to discover a variety of habitats. 500-Year Walk (3 - 6) traces the progression of plant life from wetlands to forest and explores relationships between animals, plants, and humans. Wet & Wild (3 - 6) takes a close-up look at life in the water. Students collect and examine specimens. Indian Life and Lore (3 - 6) explores the land use practices and lifestyles of the American Indian. The Land and You (7 - 12) uses role-playing in an environmental "hearing", debating land-use dilemmas and solutions. Getting to Know a Tree (7 - 12) explores the differences between trees, the elements that influence their growth, and how trees contribute to nature's communities. Many other programs are available, and can even be custom-designed for grades through college. Program length varies with group needs. Teachers can also take advantage of special workshops and accredited seminars.

Hours: Trails open daily, sunrise to sunset. Trexler Center open Sunday afternoons, call. Also open other times for reserved groups.

Admission: Donation for trails ($1.00 / person suggested). Call for costs of Programs -- very reasonable.

Group Reservations: 10 weeks.

Lunch: Picnic areas available.

Handicapped: Partial. Call.

Directions: PA Tpke Northeast Ext. (Rt. 9) North to Emmaus Rt. 29 North. Turn right onto North St., next left onto Macungie Ave. Road becomes Orchid Place. At bottom of hill turn left and cross bridge into Sanctuary.

Time: 60 - 90 minutes north of Philadelphia.

Nearby: Museum of Indian Culture , 1803 House , Mack Truck , Lehigh County Historical Society .