The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania - Tannersville Cranberry Bog Preserve

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See volunteer opportunities at Tannersville Cranberry Bog

Size

900 acres

Location

Monroe County, five miles west of the town of Stroudsburg

Directions

Take I-80 to Route 715 (exit 299). Follow 715 north to Route 611. Go south on 611 for 1.1 miles and turn left onto Cherry Lane Road. Proceed 2.7 miles and turn right onto Bog Road. The North Wood Trail is 0.3 miles on the left. The Fern Ridge Trail is another 0.3 miles on the right. A bulletin board explaining the trails is located at the start of the North Wood Trail section. There is a small parking lot on the left near the trails.

Contact
The Nature Conservancy
P.O. Box 55 Long Pond Road
Long Pond, Pennsylvania 18334
(570) 643-7922 (phone)
(570) 643-7925 (fax)

Monroe County Conservation District
Environmental Education Center
8050 Running Valley Road
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360
(570) 629-3061

Standing out in vivid contrast to the surrounding Pocono Mountains landscape, Tannersville Cranberry Bog provides a snapshot of colder times. Thousands of years ago, a large glacial lake occupied the space of what has since become a thick soup of peat moss. The bog is surrounded by tamarack, black spruce and other vegetation, representing the legacy of an ancient boreal forest that once covered this region. Today, while the ice and lake have long receded, the unique bog ecosystem that remains serves as the southernmost low elevation boreal bog in the United States, and represents an intricate transformation that took place over the millennia which would be impossible to replace if destroyed.

Affectionately known as “The Cranberry” to nearby residents, Tannersville Cranberry Bog has become ingrained in the local community and culture, inspiring wonder among the students, educators, scientists, nature lovers and photographers who visit each year. Of special interest are some of North America’s most beautiful native orchids, including rose pogonia and the state-endangered heart-leaved twayblade.

As the Tannersville Cranberry Bog is one of its first nature preserves, The Nature Conservancy continues to engage the surrounding community in conserving this geological remnant of a long-ago ice age. In return for this careful stewardship, the bog soaks up rain and runoff like a giant sponge – cleansing water and controlling pollution throughout the Pocono Creek watershed. In 2006, a former elementary school teacher bequeathed 11 acres to the Conservancy in order to expand the preserve she once shared with her students. The Conservancy later acquired 67 more acres from her estate – property that would have otherwise been developed to support more than 20 new homes.

What You’ll See

Calla lilies, gold thread, and the carnivorous sundew and pitcher plants. Native orchids, including rose pogonia and the state endangered heart-leaved twayblade. Other endangered plants, including bog rosemary and Labrador tea. Shrubs such as leather leaf, sheep laurel and swamp azalea. Black bear, river otter, bobcat, beavers, porcupines, minks, wild turkey and snowshoe hares. Canada warbler, wood thrush, scarlet tanager, golden-winged warbler, eastern towhee and whip-poor-will.

Threats

Residential development, water pollution and groundwater depletion.

Action

Managing the preserve with assistance from volunteers and partners. Providing educational opportunities for the local community. Acquiring land and conservation easements.

Milestones

Creation of a floating boardwalk during the 1980’s that provides accessibility without damage to the bog. Acquisition of 78 acres in 2006 to expand the preserve to 900 acres, including 300 acres purchased in partnership with Pocono Township.

Partners

Monroe County Environmental Education Center, Pocono Township, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and a local volunteer stewardship committee.

Things To Do

Because of its fragile nature, the bog itself can be visited only during regularly scheduled walks conducted by the Monroe County Environmental Education Center. Private walks are available for groups upon request. Public access is always permitted on the North Wood and the Fern Ridge trails. A donation to support management efforts is requested.