New Interactive Birding Trail Opens on National Trails Day, Bringing Community Science to the Poconos
Join The Nature Conservancy for the grand opening of the Long Pond Barrens Birding Trail on June 7th!
Media Contacts
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Kathleen McFadden
Media Relations Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Phone: 610-368-7108
Email: k.mcfadden@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Pennsylvania today announced the opening of a new birding trail—the Long Pond Barrens Birding Trail—within its Long Pond Preserve complex in Monroe County. The trail will debut on National Trails Day, June 7, with a free grand opening event that is open to the public.
Two of this trail’s standout features are its interactive audio tour and its community science integration.
At 10 stations along the trail, visitors can scan QR codes that launch audio recordings about different bird species, bird identification tips, and their habitat use. Trail-goers are also prompted to use the Merlin Bird ID app to record and identify the birds they are witnessing in real-time, and the eBird app to help TNC collect data on the many bird species that frequent the preserve over time. By sharing the collected data on eBird, visitors provide critical information that will guide future conservation efforts.
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Quote: Lori Brennan
Dynamic forests like those found at TNC’s Long Pond Barrens are critical for protecting biodiversity, ensuring clean water, providing carbon storage and offering recreational opportunities.
"We are thrilled to bring this interactive birding trail to the community to both educate and engage visitors in meaningful ways,” said Lori Brennan, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
The Long Pond Barrens is a vibrant haven for diverse plant and animal life, thanks to TNC’s active stewardship and land management efforts, such as controlled burns, which play a crucial role in improving wildlife habitat and forest health.
The new birding trail is nestled in a unique mesic till barrens habitat, home to many rare plants and animals. Birds featured at the stations along the trail include the Common yellowthroat, Hermit thrush, Chestnut-sided warbler, and Scarlet tanager, among others.
In addition to the Long Pond Barrens, TNC’s Long Pond Preserve complex includes the Hauser Nature Center and Cathy's Trail with a Universal Access Trail. Long Pond Preserve was recently named the Philadelphia region’s Best Day Trip by The Philadelphia Inquirer’s 2025 Philly Favorites awards.
The grand opening event will take place on Saturday, June 7, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with TNC staff providing guided tours of the new trail. Registration is encouraged.
TNC’s Long Pond Preserve is open to the public 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.
Join Us June 7th & Learn More!
For more information about the Long Pond Barrens Birding Trail or to register for the opening event on National Trails Day, please click below.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 81 countries and territories (40 by direct conservation impact and 41 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit nature.org or follow @nature_press on X.