In addition to providing sweeping views of Pennsylvania’s northeastern corner, the Dick and Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain represents one of the best examples of ridge-top heath barrens in the northeastern U.nited States. Contrary to the name, these “barrens” comprise a healthy mosaic of stunted pitch pine and scrub oak forest dominated by huckleberry, blueberry, rhodora and other low-lying shrubs.
In 2001, The Nature Conservancy purchased 1,200 acres in the heart of Moosic Mountain that were slated to become a business park. With support from the state of Pennsylvania and a passionate grassroots effort, the business park was relocated to a former industrial site. In addition to creating 5,000 new jobs, this solution succeeded in protecting sensitive mountaintop habitat that will help to reduce impacts to water quality from improper development.
Today, TNC continues to work with state government and local partners to foster compatible uses and a sense of ownership among bird watchers, mountain bikers, sportsmen and other community groups interested in protecting Moosic Mountain’s ecological resources. Towards this end, TNC also employs restoration tools, like prescribed fire, and pursues additional land and conservation easement acquisitions to advance our mission at the preserve..
Threats
This area has not remained immune to development pressures and a lack of fire that has led to a decline in ridge-top heath barrens across the state.
Milestones
In 2001, TNC purchased 1,200 acres in the heart of Moosic Mountain. Since then, the Conservancy completed an ecological management plan and created twelve new miles of single-track hiking and biking trails. In 2009, TNC named the preserve after Dick and Nancy Eales, whose generosity has made it possible to continue to expand the preserve and to conduct the robust prescribed burning necessary to maintain the fire-dependent natural community.
