Pocono Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape

The Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape spans six northeastern Pennsylvania counties: Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne.

This region includes several unique sub-areas shaped by both natural and cultural influences:

• In Luzerne, Lackawanna, and western Carbon County, the landscape reflects the legacy of the Northern Anthracite field. This includes communities like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, White Haven, and Jim Thorpe.
• In contrast, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne counties are deeply shaped by the Delaware River, its vibrant river towns, and a long-standing tradition of tourism and recreation.

A Region Rich in Natural Resources

The Pocono Forests and Waters region is home to:

• The highest concentration of wetlands in Pennsylvania
• Extensive public and private forested lands
• Historic private hunting clubs still active today
• State parks, state forests, and national public lands

At the Heart of the Region

This conservation landscape is built on three pillars:

Conserved Land

A strong foundation of protected open space, including:

• 3 State Forest Districts
• 14 State Parks
• 3 National Park Sites
• A National Wildlife Refuge
• Game Commission lands
• Numerous Land Trust holdings

Trails

Over 200 miles of recreational trails thread through the landscape, providing ample opportunities for outdoor fun in urban, rural, and forested settings.

Water

The region is home to roughly 20 percent of the Commonwealth’s wetlands. The natural areas in this landscape provide a sense of community, clean water, stormwater retention, clean air, and an array of outdoor recreation activities.

Vision and Goals

The vision of the landscape is to amplify regional efforts to conserve the Landscape’s natural resources through partnership and networking with the core values of conservation, community, and connection.

Conservation

Protect important natural landscape areas through methods such as acquisition, easements, and other land protection measures while championing stewardship of the region’s array of natural resources.

Community

Engage communities to promote, enhance, and sustain local natural, cultural, and outdoor recreational resources.

Connections

Identify and create greenway and trail connections to public lands and communities throughout the landscape.