This 1,400+ acre nature preserve is Wildland’s largest nature preserve. Located in the Pocono mountains, it is home to one of the state’s largest spruce forests. It is a testament to collaboration in conservation since parcels of it are owned by The Nature Conservancy and Tobyhanna Township but managed in part by Wildlands.
Cerulean Trail | Blue | .7 miles
Under construction: This trail winds through a landscape managed for another threatened bird species, the cerulean warbler. Large trees form a fairly dense canopy, while the thick vegetation regenerates below.
Whitetail Trail | White | .5 miles
This half-mile trail leads from the parking lot and takes nature preserve goers through Thomas Darling’s unique and varied landscape of wetland and uplands. Pass through highbush blackberries in late summer and keep an eye out for deer bedding under dense evergreen.
Flying Squirrel Trail | Green | .5 miles
Begin this trail just beyond the trailhead and meander through wet stands of hemlock and spruce. Wildlands Conservancy monitors nesting boxes for Northern Flying Squirrels in this area.
Golden-Winged Trail | Yellow | 1.6 miles
Follow over 50 acres of habitat managed for the threatened golden-winged warbler via this loop. Listen for an abundance of birds signing throughout the landscape, especially during peak migration seasons.
Prescribed Fire Trail | Orange | .7 miles
A 40-acre prescribed fire helped shape the forest you will see along this trail. Walk along fire access roads noting the dense vegetation that has resprouted following the fire and the scarred bark and branches.
The preserve is home to an extensive habitat restoration project focusing on the migratory golden-winged warblers and cerulean warblers. The project’s support has brought in flocks of other species, with our avian studies showing an increase from 29 to 107 species including swamp sparrow, prairie warbler, eastern towhee, red-eyed vireo, trail’s flycatcher, chestnut-sided warbler and common yellowthroat.
Nesting boxes on the property here are meant to attract populations of the endangered northern flying squirrel. Other species on this preserve include American black bear, grey fox, white-tailed deer, gray and red squirrel, southern flying squirrel, red-bellied snake, dusky salamander as well as red-backed salamander.
The acreage is comprised primarily of hardwood forest, with species such as American beech, red maple, hawthorn, serviceberry, and others. It is lush and green all year thanks to rhododendrons, ferns, and sphagnum moss in its boggy environment. The acidic soil is the perfect environment for bog laurel and Rhodora, both of which have seasonal, purple blooms.
The Wildlands Conservancy side of Thomas Darling Preserve was acquired by us in 1995 with help from The Nature Conservancy and funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
This preserve was named after a naturalist and conservationist from Jim Thorpe, Thomas Darling Jr. The majority of his life was spent pioneering the research of plants in our region at the time.
The glacial wetlands are a part of this area’s history and shape the ecology within the nature preserve today. These wetlands and bogs are critical for clean drinking water downstream. Furthermore, the old growth red spruce forest is one of Pennsylvania’s largest.
– Wildlands Conservancy strongly urges nature preserve goers to wear blaze orange at our Thomas Darling Preserve
– Preserve is open from dawn to dusk
– No motor vehicles or horses; bicycles permitted on select trails
– Be respectful of neighbors and private property
– Do not damage, disturb, or harm any plants, wildlife, or geology
– No collecting of these natural resources
– Do not dump or litter; carry out all trash
– Pets must be under control at all times and cleaned up after
– Be respectful of others using the property; quiet increases the chances of viewing wildlife
– No glass containers
– No camping or fires
– No alcohol or illegal drugs
– No trapping; hunting is permitted in accordance with PGC seasons and bag limits
Interested in getting involved at Thomas Darling Preserve?
