Pocono Heritage Land Trust

What Pocono Heritage Land Trust does

Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit land trust founded in 1984 at the recommendation of The Nature Conservancy, operating from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, with a staff of 5 and a 12-member board. The organization's core mission is preserving the natural heritage of the Pocono Mountains in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, through fee-simple land acquisition and conservation easements, having protected approximately 4,948 acres across 13+ named nature preserves as of 2021.

PHLT's portfolio spans public nature preserves ranging from 4 to 511 acres—including Fieldstone Farm, Jonas Mountain, Upper Paradise, Rail Gap, and Pohoqualine—offering public access for hiking, birding, fishing, and environmental education. The organization also operates the Brodhead Creek Heritage Center as an indoor venue for events and exhibitions, and since a 2020 merger with the Pocono Avian Research Center, maintains an avian research program. PHLT manages the preserves using standard conservation practices with no proprietary technology systems, relying on a Wix-hosted website for public engagement.

The business model is a non-profit contribution model funded through four channels: tiered membership donations ($25 Individual to $1,000 Guardian), unrestricted general donations, grants from state and county agencies (PA DCNR, Monroe County Open Space Program), and event revenue. Paid events include the Pints for Preservation fundraiser ($45 per guest) and suggested donations for guided hikes ($10). Member segments include outdoor enthusiasts, volunteers, landowners seeking conservation easements, and government/conservation partners. Corporate sponsors (Barley Creek Brewing Company, Monroe County Bar Association) provide minor supplementary support. PHLT's gtm motion is community-led and event-driven, relying on volunteer participation, member-driven donations, and a robust calendar of guided hikes, birding walks, craft days, and educational presentations as primary community touchpoints.

Name

Pocono Heritage Land Trust

Legal name

Pocono Heritage Land Trust

Website

https://phlt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pocono Heritage Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1984 that has protected approximately 4,948 acres across 13+ nature preserves in the Pocono Mountains of Monroe County, Pennsylvania, offering public recreation, conservation easements, and environmental education to local communities, members, and conservation partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Conservation & Protected Land Brokerage (Easements, Land Trust Sales) (BPAJADAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation
• Conservation easements
• Nature preserves
• Habitat protection
• Environmental stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

East Stroudsburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Donations: Annual memberships granted with donations of $25 or more. Membership offers event discounts and exclusive access to members-only guided tours of private properties in Monroe County.
2. General Donations: One-time and monthly donation options available. Donations support land preservation and conservation initiatives.
3. Event Revenue: Fundraising events like Pints for Preservation generate revenue through ticket sales ($45 per guest for sponsored events) and suggested donations ($10 for hikes, bird banding).
4. Grants: PHLT receives grant funding from organizations including PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Monroe County Open Space Program for land acquisition and conservation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pocono Heritage Land Trust is a non-profit 501(c)(3) land trust that permanently protects natural lands in the Pocono Mountains through fee-simple ownership and conservation easements, and makes those protected lands accessible to the public for recreation. The organization operates 13+ nature preserves totaling 4,948 acres across Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and delivers related membership, volunteer, educational event, and avian research programs.

Product overview

Pocono Heritage Land Trust is a non-profit land conservation organization offering a portfolio of 13 nature preserves totaling protected lands across the Pocono Mountains region, plus conservation easements protecting additional acreage. The core offerings consist of public nature preserves (ranging from 4 to 511 acres) for hiking, fishing, birding, and hunting, complemented by a volunteer program, membership with event discounts, an event calendar featuring educational and recreational programs, and an avian research initiative. The organization was founded in 1984 and has protected 4,948 acres as of 2021 (1,981 fee simple, 2,967 easement).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fieldstone Farm Tank Creek Nature Preserve 52-acre public nature preserve acquired in 2008 providing groundwater/spring-fed flow to Tank Creek headwaters, featuring old fields, mixed forests, springs, ponds, and riparian areas with views of Paradise Valley and the Delaware Water Gap. Open to public for hiking and nature observation.
• Glen Run Nature Preserve 182-acre public nature preserve acquired in 2015 located south of Stroudsburg, featuring an overlook from Godfrey Ridge, a picturesque lake, and the historic Churleigh Inn foundation site. Open for public hiking and nature observation.
• Jonas Mountain Nature Preserve 417-acre public nature preserve featuring cold-water springs forming the headwaters of Jonas Creek, a Class A Trout stream, representing one of the largest areas of unfragmented forest in Polk Township.
• Kephart Nature Preserve 4-acre public nature preserve managed by Tobyhanna Conservation Association featuring an ADA-accessible fishing dock into a slough on Tobyhanna Creek, providing ADA-accessible fishing opportunities.
• Kurmes Paradise Creek Nature Preserve 400-acre public nature preserve acquired in 2005, featuring Tank Creek and Yankee Run headwaters of Paradise Creek, vernal pools, and diverse habitats. Includes hunting access through the PA Game Commission's Hunter Access Program.
• George and Olive Learn Conservation Easement Conservation easement created in 2011 allowing public access to 15 acres including more than one-third of a mile of Pocono Creek, featuring a loop trail through floodplain forest with spring wildflowers.
• Pohoqualine Fish Association Conservation Easement Conservation easement signed in 2007 protecting nearly 800 acres in 30 separate parcels, with 536 acres open for public recreation featuring hiking trails along headwaters creeks.
• Pomeroy McMichaels Creek Nature Preserve 70+ acre public nature preserve containing a pristine section of McMichaels Creek in Hamilton Township, part of a geologic ecotone with beautiful rock formations and uncommon spring wildflowers.
• Rail Gap Nature Preserve 61.5-acre public nature preserve acquired in 2020 containing Class A Wild Trout Waters of Pocono Creek, old growth rhododendron, spring wildflowers, and historic Wilkes-Barre & Eastern Railroad path.
• Robert Mader Nature Preserve 117-acre public nature preserve, the newest addition at 211 Bon Sher Dr, open for hiking and bird watching.
• Tannersville Woods Nature Preserve 6-acre public nature preserve home to some of the oldest growth forests in the Poconos, with partnership with Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited for trout habitat improvement on Pocono Creek.
• Upper Paradise Nature Preserve 511-acre public nature preserve acquired in 2012-2013 protecting Cranberry Creek, a high-quality coldwater fishery and Class A wild trout fishery, with step waterfalls, hemlock ravines, and rhododendron stands.
• Yankee Run Nature Preserve 63-acre public nature preserve acquired in 2011 protecting the headwaters of Yankee Run, a high-quality headwater to Paradise Creek, containing woodlands, springs, ponds, and historic heritage features.
• Membership Program One-year membership granted with donation of $25 or more, offering event discounts and access to exclusive members-only events including guided tours of private properties in Monroe County. Tiered options include Individual ($25), Family ($50), Patron ($100), Benefactor ($250), Steward ($500), and Guardian ($1,000).
• Volunteer Program Volunteer opportunities for community members to lead hikes and art classes, maintain trails, and join the bird research crew during summer and fall.
• Event Calendar and Programs Recurring events including guided hikes, birding walks, craft days, educational programs, bird banding demonstrations, art workshops, and the annual Pints for Preservation fundraiser.
• Brodhead Creek Heritage Center Heritage center located at 1539 Cherry Lane Road serving as a venue for events, art exhibitions, educational programs, and community gatherings.
• Avian Research Program Avian research program merged with PHLT in 2020 from the Pocono Avian Research Center, studying bird behavior, migration patterns, and habitat preferences.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,948 acres protected as of 2021 (1,981 fee simple, 2,967 easement)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered foundational, minor and core.

• The Nature ConservancyfoundationalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1984Recommended the formation of PHLT as a local land protection organization. PHLT operates as an independent land trust following this foundational guidance.
• Barley Creek Brewing CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides craft brews and snacks for the annual Pints for Preservation fundraising event.
• Monroe County Bar AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the 2026 Pints for Preservation fundraising event.
• Brodhead Chapter of Trout UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with PHLT to improve trout habitat on Tannersville Woods section of Pocono Creek. Multi-phase project to restore waters and bring trout back to Pocono Creek.
• Tobyhanna Conservation AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages Kephart Nature Preserve on behalf of PHLT. Preserve includes ADA-accessible fishing dock on Tobyhanna Creek.
• Paradise Township (Nothstein Preserve)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent preserve provides access to the southern portion of PHLT's Upper Paradise Nature Preserve.
• Poplar Swamp ClubminorOthersHas exclusive right to hunt Kurmes Preserve during the two-week rifle deer season. Part of the PA Game Commission's Hunter Access Program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Regional conservation nonprofit focused on protecting and managing the Appalachian Trail corridor through trail maintenance, easements, and stewardship. Overlaps with PHLT's trail-focused nature preserves in the Poconos.

Direct peers

• Brandywine Conservancy: Mid-Atlantic regional land trust operating in PA, focused on land conservation and water resources protection with public preserve access. Directly comparable as a Pennsylvania-based Land Trust Alliance-accredited 501(c)(3) holding conservation easements and public preserves.
• Natural Lands: Regional conservation organization operating across PA and surrounding states with a network of nature preserves, conservation easements, and public programming. Comparable scale and mission as a regional land trust with multi-thousand-acre portfolio.
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: PA-based conservation nonprofit protecting raptor habitat with public preserve access, educational programming, and scientific research. Comparable as a regional conservation nonprofit combining land protection, research, and visitor programming.
• Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Pennsylvania-based land trust focused on conservation in the Upper Delaware River region. Comparable as a small regional land trust managing conservation easements and public preserves with donor and event-based revenue.
• Lancaster County Conservancy: Regional PA land trust managing nature preserves, conservation easements, and public programming in Lancaster County. Directly comparable structure: small staff, donor-funded, multi-preserve portfolio, Land Trust Alliance accredited.

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and creating parks for people. Operates at much broader scale than PHLT, but competes for similar grant funding and donor mindshare in conservation real estate.
• The Nature Conservancy (Pennsylvania): Global conservation organization that actually recommended PHLT's founding in 1984. Operates broadly across land protection, easements, and scientific research; PHLT operates as a local complement in Monroe County.

Regional players

• New Jersey Conservation Foundation: Regional land trust operating across New Jersey with preserves, easements, and public programming. Comparable in mission and structure but serves an adjacent geography rather than directly competing with PHLT in Monroe County, PA.

Others

• Monroe County Conservation District: Local government-affiliated conservation partner in Monroe County, PA providing education, watershed protection, and stewardship programs. Functions as an adjacent enabling organization that partners with PHLT on regional conservation initiatives.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCb5U8nYpST-z2PkZNcKjkug
• Facebookfacebook.com/PoconoHeritageLandTrust
• Instagraminstagram.com/poconoheritagelandtrust/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pocono-heritage-land-trust

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pocono Heritage Land Trust