Sometimes conservation work is like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. The Minsi Lake Corridor, with its more than 400 vernal pools, is one of these puzzles.
Each spring the vernal pools come to life as nurseries for amphibians, which are threatened and endangered across the globe. The chirping of spring peepers and the whistling of wood frogs alert visitors that spring has arrived and a healthy, productive habitat thrives.
But spring isn’t the only time to enjoy the area. The wilderness delights visitors year-round who come to hike, boat, fish, and view wildlife. Hiking trails lead visitors though the largest forest corridor in central and eastern Pennsylvania, offering spectacular views of the Minsi Valley and glimpses of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and more.
The Minsi Lake Corridor actually serves as a nexus for three extraordinary landscapes. It sits on the slope of the Kittatinny Ridge, a world-class migratory bird corridor, and extends from the Bear Swamp Natural Area to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Strategic planning, supported by the Keystone Fund, laid the groundwork for protecting the many pieces of the corridor. The Keystone Fund then helped with the purchase and protection of seven corridor properties encompassing over 700 acres.
Without the Keystone Fund and the healthy partnerships between Northampton County, The Nature Conservancy, and various local conservation organizations and municipalities, it would not have been possible to assemble the Minsi Lake Corridor puzzle into an extraordinary conservation area.
Additional parcels in the corridor still need protection, but with good planning in place, strong partners on the ground, and the Keystone Fund in operation, these lands can be conserved and the corridor will flourish.
