The environmental organization is more than halfway toward its $1.8 million goal to buy and transform the Stroudsburg, Pa., property into a nature preserve. Under the deal, the property’s 200 acres would become restored habitat for wildlife, but the golf course will remain open for business until the end of the season.
An environmental organization is raising money to buy Cherry Valley Golf Course in Stroudsburg, Pa. They’re more than half way there but time is running out, the Wilkes-Barre, Pa., WBRE-TV reported.
The Nature Conservancy, which protects lands and waters, wants to transform the course into a nature preserve in a $1.8 million deal. The organization still needs to raise about $400,000 by September 30, WBRE-TV reported.
“It’s a spectacularly beautiful place,” said Bud Cook, Senior Project Manager of The Nature Conservancy.
The nearly 200 acres would become restored habitat for wildlife. Nestled in the natural Cherry Valley, the land’s filled with rare reptiles and amphibians. The surrounding mountains are good for migratory birds, WBRE-TV reported.
Cook added, “hawks and eagles and falcons catch the updrafts along that ridge and migrate south.” Even though “birds” will replace “birdies”, some parts of the golf-course will remain in a modified way. The stretch of the Cherry Creek that runs through the property would be revitalized. The cart paths would become nature trails for people to enjoy, WBRE-TV reported.
“It’s great because it already makes the place accessible to the handicapped,” said Cook.
Since the surrounding land is already conserved, the Conservancy and the golf course owner say it’s a ‘hole in one’ plan, WBRE-TV reported.
“God bless them. It seems they have the whole Valley earmarked for some kind of green belt conservancy between the township and federal government,” said Gene Paul Percudani, owner of Cherry Valley Golf Course.
Cherry Valley Golf Course is still open for business seven days a week. Even if the Conservancy buys the property, golfers are still welcome until at least the end of this season, WBRE-TV reported.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.