Carbon County Open Space

07/30/2026

We are so thankful that Senator David G. Argall was able to attend our event last week and was willing to share a few words. Thank you, Senator!

07/29/2026

The program appreciates everyone who is helping to spread the word about our current open grant round. Thank you CCEDC! Check out the Times News Lehighton article covering our event last week.

It’s just been a few years that the Open Space Grant Program has been in existence in Carbon County, but already the budding success of it is obvious. During a gathering of the Open Space Advisory Boa...

07/29/2026

Last Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Carbon County Commissioners and the Open Space Advisory Board hosted the Open Space Grant Program Kickoff Event for the Fall Grant Round Opening! It was a very successful event; we want to thank everyone who attended. Many kudos especially our speakers: Senator David Argall; State Representative Doyle Heffley; Chairman of the Board of Commissioner’s Mike Sofranko; Open Space Advisory Board Chairman, Fred. Kemmerer, Jr.; and Open Space Advisory Board Advisor, Dennis DeMara. We would also like to give a big thank you to the media for covering the event, including WNEP, BRC13, and the Times News. Lastly, we want to thank our Open Space Advisory Board members and advisors who have volunteered to help make the Open Space Program happen and provided support with the event.

The Carbon County Open Space Grant Program can provide up to 50% match funding for projects that aim to preserve water resources, wildlife habitat, and forest land.

The Carbon County Fall 2026 Open Space Grant Round will be accepting applications until September 30, 2026 at 4:00pm. Check out the county website and Open Space Advisory Board page for more details about applying. Carbon County municipalities and pre-qualified land conservation organizations are the only eligible applicants. We recommend meeting with the Open Space Coordinator to ensure your application is complete before submitting.

Any questions or inquiries should be directed to Anna Shigo, Open Space Coordinator, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 570-325-3671 extension 4466.

*First two photos thanks to the Times News Lehighton
County website: https://www.carboncountypa.gov/government/boards_authorities___commissions_/open_space_advisory_board.php
WNEP Story: https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/preserving-open-space-in-carbon-county-advisory-board-acres-nature-land-conservation/523-758fbb85-1bb6-474c-8a21-2c4afd550383

07/02/2026

Jumping back in to the Meet the Open Space Advisory Board series, we are highlighting member Dave Krause this month.

Dave holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Biology from Michigan State University. Dave retired from Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC in 2021 with 43 years’ experience in vegetation management and arboriculture. He developed programs for utility, pipeline and roadside right-of-way managers across the US and provided employee training on best practices, technology integration and environmental safety. Dave also oversaw Asplundh’s 70-year research project near Penn State University, which studies the positive effects of integrated vegetation management on biodiversity and wildlife habitat sustainability.

Dave served on numerous industry organization boards throughout the eastern US. He also served 10 years on the Lehighton School Board and has been a trustee on the Lehigh Carbon Community College Board since 2005. He brings valuable expertise in board governance and effective collaboration. Being retired provides him time for community service.

Dave grew up and spent most of his life in small agricultural communities and was honored to become part of the new Open Space Advisory Board to help preserve the valuable natural resources here in our county.

Thank you Dave for your incredible membership on the board!

07/02/2026

06/23/2026

We are excited to announce that will be hosting a Press Event to kickoff the Fall 2026 Grant Round! See the press release for more details.

06/08/2026

We are excited to share that the Pine Run Easement Project is officially complete! This incredible project has come to a close thanks to the hard work of Wildlands Conservancy. We are very thankful for their efforts to preserve these 1,147 acres of pristine forest in Carbon County. The property is available to the public for recreation including hiking & hunting. The County looks forward to completing more Open Space projects in the future! https://www.tnonline.com/20260604/conservancy-protects-1147-acres-in-penn-forest/?fbclid=IwY2xjawST3btleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeyP2TllY2KEa2nSUW1UX1_70WRVYqAABnOr9wvNgyTmd7sLijGXOIFC8FVZc_aem_pOnCkeUFkzecIgsZOv7BBw

Wildlands Conservancy has acquired a conservation easement permanently protecting more than 1,147 acres of forested land in Carbon County, expanding protected water authority lands and safeguarding he...

04/27/2026

🎉Carbon County D&L TrailFest Is Back!🌿
Mark your calendars! Join us on Sunday, June 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Lehighton Outdoor Center for the second annual Carbon County D&L TrailFest—a free, family‑friendly celebration of the D&L Trail and the vibrant communities it connects.

Enjoy a day filled with outdoor recreation, local businesses and makers, community partners, and hands‑on activities that highlight the unique blend of history, culture, and adventure that makes Carbon County and the D&L Trail so special. Whether you’re a longtime trail user or discovering the Corridor for the first time, TrailFest is the perfect way to kick off your summer. 🌞

04/27/2026

A great story!

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day!🌎💚

Introducing you to Carbon County’s Open Space Advisory Board which serves to guide the voter-approved $10M Open Space Grant Program. The county’s expert pane...