Native Plant Special Interest Group:

Tours of Valmont Bog & Lehigh Gap Nature Center

Valmont Bog

The Valmont Bog, home to a large variety of native orchids, resides within a powerline right-of-way in a small undeveloped area in the center of the Valmont Industrial Park in West Hazelton, PA. This site was originally a glacial “kettle” bog formed by a retreating glacier. Fast forward about 25,000 years to the 1950s. As coal mining employment fell in this area, the site was turned into an industrial park. While still a going concern, much of the site is not used.  Despite the bulldozing, compaction, and herbicides, the land was able to be preserved as a fertile area for native orchids and much natural hybridization. An exciting find at Valmont was the presence hybrids of the White Fringed and Yellow Fringed Orchids called Platanthera × bicolor. Individual examples of these hybrids are occasionally found at widely separated locations in coastal plain habitats, but at Valmont, their numbers are staggering.

The tour will be led by Bob Sprague. We will tour the site to see the native orchids and other unique wetland plants growing in the bog and will learn about the past and ongoing efforts to preserve and protect this hidden gem. Bob has and continues to play a key role in these efforts.

Bob Sprague is a native orchid expert and is the current President of the Native Orchid Conference. Bob led last year’s HPS tour of Pine Barren orchids and presented the online lecture on Pine Barren orchids two years ago. Three fascinating articles written by Bob on the Valmont Bog can be found in these links: Valmont Pt 1 see pp 11-17 , Valmont Pt 2 see pp 23-31 , Valmont Pt 3 see pp 30-39

Yellow Fringed and White Fringed Bog Orchids cross to form natural hybrid Bicolor Bog Orchids (Photo Credit: Melissa McCormick)

After the Valmont Bog tour, we will drive 40 minutes to the Lehigh Gap Nature Center.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center (LGNC)

Lehigh Gap Nature Center ( https://lgnc.org/ ) is the first and only Superfund site that has been restored to an environmental education and nature center. The Nature Center includes a 756-acre wildlife refuge within which lies the 400 acres of the restored Superfund site and the Osprey House, the “green” building used for indoor instruction and gatherings. LGNC is focused on restoring ecological functionality and beauty where it was damaged in the past and preserving and protecting other areas at risk.

After a brown bag lunch break, we will get a tour of the site and a presentation on the restoration of the site and the specific value of the Lehigh River gorge and Kittantiny Ridge. Jen Lansing, an LGNC board member will be our guide. Those who choose to linger can hike along the many trails.

Open to members and non-members. Maximum number of attendees is 20. Rain or shine. Registration is required.

Cost is $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers ($10 will go to Valmont Bog, $10 to LGNC).

Click here to register. Registration closes July25th.

Addresses and other important details will be sent to all registrants in their confirmation email.

HPS/MAG COVID-19 PRACTICES AND POLICIES: All HPS/MAG In-Person Events shall be subject to all COVID-related requirements imposed by any state, local and/or federal agency. Guests and invitees should apprise themselves of any such requirements prior to attendance. All HPS/MAG In-Person Events shall also be subject to the COVID-related requirements, if any, of the garden host. All attendees must bring a mask for every In-Person Event, in case it is required.

Questions, email: Margaret Moore [email protected]