Pennsylvania DCNR completes $720,000 project on Bushkill Creek

Nazareth, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has completed a $720,000 stream restoration at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center in Northampton County, reducing flood impacts, stabilizing eroded streambanks, and expanding opportunities for water-based recreation and outdoor education.

The project restored 1,600 feet of Bushkill Creek using natural design techniques – including native plantings, root wads, and woven branch mats – to reinforce streambanks, improve habitat, and help the floodplain absorb heavy rainfall.

It also rebuilt the creek channel and added durable public access points to support safe wading, water exploration, and environmental programming while preventing future erosion.

“In the face of increasingly intense storms and flooding, projects like this are vital to the long-term health of our public lands,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.

“This restoration strengthens the resiliency of Bushkill Creek, enhances safe public access, and supports the growing demand for water-based recreation and environmental education.”

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Work began last December and included rehabilitating two existing access points along the lower Henry’s Woods Trail with stacked field stone and adding a third to help spread out foot traffic.

The project was designed by Markosky Engineering, built by the Aquatic Resource Restoration Co., and overseen by DCNR’s Bureau of Facility Design and Construction.

Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, located within the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape spans 1,168 acres of forest, fields, and streams. The center features Henry’s Woods – an old-growth forest along Bushkill Creek –  as well as a visitor center and a range of public and school programs.