Our Mission

Bear Creek Foundation was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, organized exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. Bear Creek Foundation shall own and maintain real estate in support of the Bear Creek Community Charter School, raise funds in support of school activities and expansion, implement an educational scholarship program, and facilitate educational activities for the community.

Projects

The Bear Creek Foundation has undertaken a number of projects recently in support of the Bear Creek Community Charter School as well as our community.

Community Easter Egg Hunt
In March 2008, the Bear Creek Foundation coordinated the first Community Easter Egg Hunt at the Bear Creek Recreation Park. The event was sponsored by nearly a dozen local business and families, and was a collaborative effort with Bear Creek Township and the Bear Creek Volunteer Hose Company. Nearly 300 children participated in the event, which was free and open to the general public - regardless of residence. The event was repeated in 2009 and was once again a success! The Bear Creek Foundation extends a heartfelt thanks to the sponsors, volunteers and parents who participated. We look forward this year's Community Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for Saturday, March 27, 2010.



Computer Laboratory
In July 2008, the Bear Creek Foundation purchased a custom-built modular classroom to replace an outdated modular classroom on the Charter School campus. As the result of a comprehensive strategic planning process undertaken by the Board of Trustees of Bear Creek Community Charter School, the Board implemented a new middle school curridulum to include business and technology. In support of the new course offering, the new modular unit was equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including twenty-six new Dell ultra small form desktop computers with flat panel monitors, an interatctive Promethean SmartBoard and associated software, and other multi-media technologies. This investment will help ensure students attending Bear Creek Community Charter School continue to receive a high-quality public education.



Community Soccer Field
In the Spring of 2008, the Bear Creek Foundation was approached by Bear Creek Township Supervisor Joseph Masi with a vision to create an additional soccer field at Bear Creek Recreation Park to support the extra-curricular needs of the students of Bear Creek Community Charter School, as well as the recreational needs of the surrounding community. The goal was to create the new field without using tax dollars. Mr. Masi and the Bear Creek Townshp Board of Supervisors reached out to others in support of this endeavor, and working together, the new soccer field was completed and is now available for use by the School and the community.



Baseball Field Upgrade
The Bear Creek Foundation was proud to partner with Bear Creek Baseball and Bear Creek Township in making the necessary upgrades to the baseball field at the Bear Creek Township Recreational Field, to resolve the issue of ponding water following rainfall. Returning the field to a usable condition was important in ensuring our children have a safe play to enjoy themselves. A special thanks to all the volunteers to "stepped up to the plate" and provided the labor to get the job done. Play ball!

The Bear Creek Preserve

Protecting Our Environment
for Future Generations

ImageThe Bear Creek Preserve, established in December 2006, is a 3,407-acre expanse of forest, valleys and streams in the Poconos’ Lehigh River Watershed.

The preserve—larger than many state parks—becomes a major new wildlife refuge, protecting and enhancing native habitats and offering passive public recreation. Bear Creek adjoins another large tract of private, conserved land, forming a conservation area of more than 6,400 acres contiguous with the federally-owned Francis Walter Dam Reservation and other protected lands owned by the State. Bear Creek is the largest single land acquisition in Natural Lands Trust’s 53-year history.

The preserve is located in Bear Creek Township and Buck Township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. A number of creeks run through the property, including Shades Creek, Stony Run, and Bear Creek, all of which are classified as “High Quality Cold Water Fisheries” by the PA Department of Environmental Protection. The property is home to a number of animal species considered rare in Luzerne County, including bobcat and river otter. There are also a wide variety of plant communities, with at least two species of special concern: few-seeded sedge and golden club. The vast interior forest and the open grasslands in the flood zone above the Francis Walter Dam create scenic views from public roads and the existing trails on the property.

Natural Lands Trust will be managing the preserve to protect water quality in the streams, maintain native habitats, and provide opportunities for low-impact public access. We plan to expand hiking trails and add interpretive signage and appropriate public parking. A management center and full-time preserve manager will ensure maintenance of both natural and recreational features. Bear Creek Preserve will also serve as a base of operations for future NLT land protection activities in the Pocono region. The Bear Creek Preserve was acquired through the generosity of the previous landowner and funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Learn More About Natural Lands Trust