“Back in the mid-2000s, the community came together with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners like The Nature Conservancy because they felt compelled to protect this valley along with all the rare habitats and unique species that live here. In 2009 the refuge was approved, then in 2010 we acquired our first parcel of land here. The refuge is now about 6,500 acres,” explained Mike Horne, USFWS refuge manager.

The parcel known as Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge is the former Cherry Valley Golf Course. Old golf cart paths became miles of paved hiking trails, great for those with limited mobility. Former fairways, sand traps and roughs are now warm season grasslands and pollinator fields.

“We're planting American chestnuts here, which were once eradicated from the environment in Pennsylvania. We’re also making stream improvements to increase the oxygenation and shading, to help our native brook trout,” Mike added.

Joe and Meg Staples of Saylorsburg are regular visitors and volunteers who help maintain the preserve.

“You will see just about anything here that you'd see in the state of Pennsylvania including deer, bear, turkey, and snakes. There are all kinds of birds. And the wintertime is also a beautiful time of year to come,” they said.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife interns Karson and Ella showed us the preserve's turtle tracking program, a way to learn about and help rare turtle species. One way is through nesting mounds situated near the Cherry Creek.

Local high school students raise vulnerable hatchlings in the classroom and later release them back to the wild. Students also help catch critters and assess the health of the creek.

“I feel like it helps us retain the information better, getting to see it and help do it. I've always been hands on, seeing and doing it is just more beneficial for me,” explained Priva Tam and Allison Manicke, Banger Area High School students.

“It’s important to start the children at a young age to develop an interest in the outdoors and natural resources. That is how I got started, and now I’m a biologist,” smiled Jared Green, USFWS.

The former clubhouse is now a place for public programs. Outside, there's hands-on learning around the preserve including archery lessons, a permitted fishing program, and hunting. “One of the things I’m particularly proud of is our mentored hunting program where youth, adults, and people who have never hunted before can learn the basics,” Mike said.

The preserve is close to downtown Stroudsburg, Stroudsmoor, and the Frogtown Tavern.

“Some people won't believe that from where we're standing, East Stroudsburg University is right up the ridge, maybe a mile away. Downtown Stroudsburg with all the amenities is also a mile away. It’s hard to imagine, for some, that we're out here in the middle of this beauty but also close to all those other things they may want to take in,” Mike added.

The preserve is open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. You can also visit for public programming at least once a month, which is free and geared toward all ages. Visit the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge's Facebook page for more.