Have you noticed the signs, “This land protected forever?”

Pocono Heritage Land Trust has been placing the signs around Monroe County and the surrounding area. More than 500 acres at six preserves owned by the land trust will have the signs.

Pocono Heritage Land Trust applied for a grant from the organization “One For Nature” and received matching funds for signs and kiosks at the preserves. One For Nature “raises funds to support public enjoyment of our natural habitats, trails, streams and parks in Monroe County.”

The land trust website says, “PHLT is committed to protecting the outstanding natural places of the Pocono Mountains for the benefit of our community and future generations.”

PHLT works cooperatively with landowners and local government to preserve land with environmental, scenic or recreational value and manages and protects the land in perpetuity, the website says. The nonprofit is funded by scholarships and donations.

Areas include:

• 417 acres of land surrounding the Jonas Nature Preserve in three different areas was acquired by Pocono Heritage Land Trust in 2010. Jonas Creek runs through the property so it’s a good spot for fishing. In addition to the trails there are 160 species of birds and cold water springs.

The preserve is at 739 Rainbow Terrace in Effort.

• Last year the land trust acquired the Robert Mader Preserve in Pocono Township. This is not open to the public yet but will be once a parking lot is built next year.

• Rail Gap Pocono Creek Preserve in Bartonsville, which got its name as it was a railway until a flood blew the bridge out. From 1893-1930 the Wilkes-Barre-Eastern Railroad transported coal and ice. The 61.5 acre preserve, acquired in 2020 located at 3555 Shafers School Road in Stroudsburg and has Class A trout waters. In the spring wildflowers and rhododendron are in bloom.

• The Glen Run Preserve is at 740 Bangor Mountain Road in Stroudsburg and is 182 acres. Climb the Godfrey Ridge Overlook for a view of the borough below or hike or bike the 4 miles of trails.

• Pomeroy McMichael Creek Preserve is at 675 Hickory Valley Road in Stroudsburg. One For Nature recently added a bike pump near the kiosk here. It was 40 years in the making and three generations of Pomeroys who owned the property which Pocono Heritage Land Trust opened to the public June 5, 2022. You can walk along the creek as the 70-acre preserve. There are wetlands, Hemlock woods, limestone cliffs as well as fishing.

• The 400-acre Kurmes Preserve, acquired in 2005, is bisected by Route 940 in Paradise Township. Parking is at 355 Devils Hole Road, Cresco. The preserve has vernal pools which appear only in the spring and mid-February through April. This “provides an important habitat and breeding ground for a variety of frogs, salamanders and invertebrates.”