Lacawac Sanctuary Field
Station
Lacawac
Sanctuary has been a field station for Lehigh researchers, class field
trips, and summer internship programs since 1988. This private 500
acre preserve in Northeastern Pennsylvania is devoted to research, public
education, and conservation. Within its confines the Sanctuary supports
diverse aquatic and terrestrial habitats including a 52 acre natural lake.
The entire watershed of Lake Lacawac is owned and protected by the Sanctuary.
Such a well protected lake, that is relatively unimpacted by humans, provides
rare "hands-on" learning and long term research opportunities. In
cooperation with the Sanctuary, the Lehigh Aquatic Ecosystem Program maintains
laboratory, computer, and weather station facilities. The Adirondack style
lodge near the shore of Lake Lacawac (pictured above) serves as a residence
for students and researchers.
The close proximity of the Sanctuary to the PCLP
Core Lakes facilitates comprehensive study of Pocono lakes and their watersheds.
For this reason, several NSF sponsored research programs are centered at
the Sanctuary. The facility also provides
a home for Lehigh's Summer Lake Ecosystems course (EES-384).
Pocono lakes serve as the focal point for a variety of student research
projects ranging from undergraduate internships and honors theses to M.S.
and Ph.D research. As a member of the Association of Biological Field
Stations, the Lacawac Sanctuary welcomes visiting scientists from a variety
of institutions.
