Exploring the wetlands: An outdoor opportunity for everyone

Every moment I get to spend outdoors make me feel lucky. The time I spend with nature helps refresh my mind, uplift my soul, and rejuvenate my body. I feel grateful to live in an area with so many outdoor opportunities and that I am physically able get out on the trail often. It is not something that I take for granted, because I know for many, getting to the outdoors is not so easy. For those with physical limitations, traversing a rocky and rutty trail can sometimes be impossible.

Over in Julian, The Wildlife for Everyone Foundation, which has a mission to promote wildlife conservation and education in Pennsylvania, is working to provide access to nature for everyone at the Soaring Eagle Wetland and Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis Viewing Area. The work they are doing will make it so all people will have the opportunity to feel a connection with nature.

Recently Jerry Regan, WFEF chairman of the Wetland Committee, met up with me and my pup, Peggy, to show me around the area. Public Relation Coordinator Barb Schroeder and Mark Nale, an outdoor writer and photographer who volunteers for the foundation, joined us for the tour of the wetlands.

I have been curious about the wetland for years, because it is not far from my Port Matilda home. Located out on South Eagle Valley Road (Old Route 220), just southwest of the town center of Julian, the 130 acres of wetlands — originally called Gov. Tom Ridge Wetlands Preserve — lie on both sides of the road and were created as mitigation for wetlands that were lost during the construction of Interstate 99.

“It is interesting when we had [the state Department of Environmental Protection] here, they were saying how hard it is to replace Mother Nature, but these wetlands have worked,” said Regan, when we met at the Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis Viewing Area trailhead. He is right ― the wetlands look teaming and full of life.

The viewing area has an address of 145 Miles Hollow Road, Julian, and there is a nice parking area that can fit school buses and other vehicles. There is plenty of accessible parking close to the trailhead.

The recently completed viewing area includes ADA-accessible shelters that overlook the beautiful wetlands that are just perfect for birding. A plaque near the first shelter lists some of the birds that live or migrate through the wetlands, and Nale said the area serves as an excellent location for birdwatchers.

“There are well over 100 species that come through here. It is a good warbler area, wading birds. So that is a sample of the birds that are here,” said Nale. He added that every species of ducks in the Eastern United State has been in the area. It is also part of a fairly large golden eagle migration route, so there is always a chance to spot one during the season when they are on the move. Bald eagles are common as well.

Nale explained that birds are attracted this area because, “We have lost half of our wetlands to developments, farming, etcetera. … So, having these wetlands creates a stopover for those migrating birds. As for warblers, we have all these low shrubs everywhere here instead of a forest. That attracts different kinds of birds than you would see in a forest.”

The location is an eBird hotspot, which allows birders to enter their information into a database with Cornell University to track migration.

“Millions of lists are now available for anyone to research, and they have used that to make really neat migration maps. So, when birds leave, those dots on the map disappear, and you can watch them move on down to South America. It is perfect because it is real time data,” said Nale.

An ADA-accessible path connects viewers to another birding blind a quarter mile or so down the trail. Crushed gravel provides a smooth trail that is easily navigated by foot or wheel, and it is sustainable. Benches along the trail offer spaces for hikers to rest and take it all in.

The birding blinds offer low windows that allow wildlife viewers who use wheelchairs to get a great view at the correct height.

“This gives everybody a chance of dignity and to come out and enjoy nature. That is what it is all about. … The end result is to have a beautiful place to come, and it doesn’t cost anything,” said Regan. The viewing area was made possible by generous donations by its namesakes, Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis, and a whole slew of other community members who support the mission of Wildlife For Everyone.

But the work is not done. Regan and his team have even bigger goals, including Phase Three which includes another trail that would lead to an elevated ADA platform in the wetlands across Miles Hollow Road, near the current completed trail and viewing area.

Phase Two is in the works at the Soaring Eagle Wetland, which is just a half-mile to the south at 6543 S. Eagle Valley Road. Once completed, it will help provide even greater outdoor opportunities for everyone who would like to have them.

That property currently includes about a mile of mowed trail through the wetlands and access to Bald Eagle Creek. We strolled the property, and there were many monarch butterflies flapping over the marshland. Bluebird boxes were dotted across the landscape, but the birds were hiding from us as we hiked. We made it to a beautiful section of the stream, and Peggy was glad to jump in to cool off with a quick swim.  

The spot offers excellent fishing opportunities and a chance to spot wildlife coming to the area for a drink.

The organization is working to raise funds for the next phase of the project, which includes making the trails at the site more accessible with pavers and providing an ADA-accessible fishing platform, pavilion, and restrooms. Once complete, the trail will provide direct access to the water and allow all people to have access to the stocked stream for fishing.

As they continue to raise funds for the next phases of work at the wetlands, the trails remain mowed and open for people to use. Volunteer groups are always needed to help with projects on the trail, and it would certainly be a learning experience working with Nale. As we walked through, he was able to identify flowers and other plants that attract the monarchs and birds.

Since he lives nearby, Nale spends a lot of time at the wetlands, and he was glad to get involved when he heard about the opportunity here. He said the space is used by many in the community who come to walk their dogs or fish.

“It is good for that, and it will be even better when we get things going with the accessible trail. We already have pavers donated to do the trail, except for the elevated parts. That will be a boardwalk,” said Nale.

Peggy and I sure enjoyed the time we spent at the wetlands and are glad to know that there is more to explore and find as the seasons change. It is also nice to know that there are some outdoor spaces that are accessible to everyone, and that there are people and groups like the Wildlife For Everyone Foundation working to make it that way.

More information about Soaring Eagle Wetland and Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis Viewing Area can be found at www.wildlifeforeveryone.org.