f you feel the need to get outdoors, consider checking out a nature treasure in the Poconos.

The Tannersville Bog is the first of The Nature Conservancy bogs in Pennsylvania, started in 1956. It’s the “southernmost boreal bog east of the Mississippi.” “Boreal” refers to the northern shorter growing season.

The Nature Conservancy founded this unique ecosystem of 1,000 acres to protect on the local, state and national level.

The bog itself is 150 acres, surrounded by the protected land. Its deepest in the middle is 60 feet deep.

The all volunteer Steward Committee led a walk last October, separated into groups of about 20 people.

Laurinda Faye, a volunteer for 20 years, said she “appreciates the area. It’s unique to have a bog in our backyard and something to experience.”

The rocks there are from the ice age from Canada, being 13,000 years old. “The bog would be impossible to replace if destroyed.”

A large glacial lake became a sea of peat moss.

The bog itself is acidic as it is nutrient starved. This is what allows certain flora and fauna to exist there.

Snapping turtles, spotted turtles, painted turtles, fish, salamanders, crayfish, frogs and snakes are all some of the animals enjoying the bog.

The group walked along a sometimes shaky boardwalk. Built in the 1970s, the “floating boardwalk” has a floating barrel supporting it every 10 feet.

Black spruce and tamarack trees as well as blueberry bushes line the trail. This is the southernmost point the trees grow.

Black spruces only grow 1 foot every 10 years, but are one of the few trees that can tolerate the acidity of the bog.

For the past two springs the Conservancy has cut the shrubs to provide light for the cranberries and orchids. Fluffy white balls of tall cotton grass and bog rosemary, which only grow in wetlands, were visible.

Orchids, including the rose pogonia, carnivorous plants and endangered species live at the bog. Three different orchids can be seen, one each, in June, July and August.

One of the most interesting things were the “pitcher plants” that only grow in bogs. They fill with water, therefore “eating” the bugs and they also change colors. They have an odor that humans can’t smell that attracts the bugs and insects.

The guide, Roger Spotts, inserted his walking stick about 4 feet deep along the boardwalk to demonstrate the differing depths. He pointed out otter scat along the viewing area where a creek flows around the edge of the bog and explained that the male otters do this to mark their territory. Not only are there otters, but bobcats, fisher cats and lots of bears who enjoy the cranberries. Water drips out when a patch of sphagnum moss was squeezed. The moss has been used as first aid and to prevent infection for years.

The cranberries at the bog are nothing like the cranberry bogs we see on TV. These cranberries are only tasty to the bears.

Every fourth grade class in the Monroe County school district has been visiting the bog for 35 years. Ten-year-old Kaylee (“almost 11”) had visited before with her class and said the best part was the “otters, wasp nests, going up and down the hill.” She also liked the pitcher plant.

The bog and trail are open for public walks and private tours beginning in spring. Reservations are necessary.

There is also a full moon walk, bird walk and kayak event held annually.

Contact the Kettle Creek Environmental Center at 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org for more information.