Bear Meadows Natural Area, National Natural Landmark in Harris Township, Pennsylvania.
Bear Meadows Natural Area is a protected natural area in central Pennsylvania that extends across roughly 890 acres. The landscape features a peat bog surrounded by steep mountainsides within an enclosed valley, creating an isolated ecosystem.
The area was officially designated as a State Forest Natural Area in 1965 to preserve its geological and ecological features. Over time, protection status expanded to ensure that these rare habitats would be maintained for the future.
The name reflects the black bears that once roamed this region. Today, visitors can observe the rare plant life that thrives in this isolated cool-climate environment.
A marked hiking trail of about 3.5 miles guides visitors through the area, accessed via a road south of the nearby ski area. The path passes through different landscape sections and offers a good overview of the varied habitats.
The bog contains plant species normally found in Siberia and northern Canada, including black spruce and carnivorous plants. These northern species survive in what functions as an "ice age refuge", protected by the peat bog's cool, moist environment.
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