Blue grosbeaks and prairie warblers often flutter around the grasslands of the Lehigh Gap. Soon, drivers traveling through the area will see them displayed on an old railroad bridge abutment currently covered with graffiti.

On Wednesday, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center announced a fundraiser for a new mural which will be visible to hikers, boaters and drivers passing through the gap.

The project already has support from the Carbon County Creative Arts Fund and Joseph Robert Foundation, but the center is looking to the public for help to fund the project.

“We are hoping to have support from members and people who will see the trail and think it would be a nice addition,” said Lauren Foltz, office administrator for Lehigh Gap Nature Center.

The 20-foot tall mural will be displayed on the remnants of a railroad bridge which once spanned the gap.

Trees used to cover the wall, but they were taken out to make way for new electric transmission lines last year.

The center wants to make the wall look more appealing for people through its 756-acre wildlife refuge.

“We’ll restore it into something that’s beautiful without completely removing the history,” Foltz said.

The plans for the mural involve painting panels which will be installed on the wall.

The artist, Carrie Kingsbury of Promiseland Murals, has extensive experience doing murals in public spaces and businesses. One of her murals is in Bowmanstown, just a short bike ride up the D&L trail from the train abutment.

The design includes some of the most prized species found in the wildlife refuge. Blue grosbeaks and prairie warblers both nest in grassland habitats like the Lehigh Gap - despite grosbeaks usually preferring more southern climates. The wild bleeding heart is an endangered plant species in Pennsylvania, but it thrives in the wildlife preserve.

Bumblebees were included to represent the research which the nature center’s staff has done on the insects.

The prairie grasses which attract the birds and insects to the site were planted more than a decade ago to help restore land which was once barren and part of the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund site.

“It will showcase something special with what we’ve also done on the refuge,” Foltz said.

People interested in supporting the mural fundraiser can make a contribution at https://lgnc-101687.square.site/ under “General Operating Donations,” and can designate it for the mural. Donations are also accepted by mail at P.O. Box 198, Slatington, PA 18080.

Questions, contact mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.