Grants to fund sanctuary master plan effort

Lake Ariel — The Lacawac Sanctuary Board of Directors announced today receipt of a grant in the amount of $5,000. to support development of a master site plan for the preserve located in Lake Ariel. The grant is from the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the National Park Service. According to Michael Peterson, Executive Director, the grant will be used to create a master site plan for future facilities and improvements at Lacawac’s 520-acre forest preserve. The preserve combines public hiking access, educational and community programs and is a major scientific and environmental research station. The master plan is to develop ideas and goals presented in a feasibility study completed in 2007, and is intended to allow continued expansion of each of the preserves functions without conflict or degradation of the natural environment. “Creating a carefully crafted road map for future growth is very important to us,” states Peterson. We are looking at a steady increase in daily visitors who come to enjoy the historic buildings and unique natural environment. With booming public education programs and so many events going on, protecting and preserving the environment has to be our first mission and will require a concerted effort that will be laid out in this plan.” The grant will assist the volunteer operated, non-profit sanctuary foundation in retaining experts in the field of resource management, environmental impact, facility design, and trail development to advise and guide it through the process. For more information about this grant, to learn about educational and volunteer opportunities, or provide support to the foundation through membership and contributions, call 570-689-9494 or visit the Web site www.Lacawac.org .