Stuart M. Stein Memorial Preserve
at Tannersville Cranberry Bog

Why You Should Visit    
Tannersville Cranberry Bog was one of The Nature Conservancy's first preserves.  The relict boreal bog was once a huge glacial lake. Since the ice receded 10,000-15,000 years ago, approximately 40 feet of peat has accumulated on the floor of what was once a 715-acre lake. Today, the bog stands out in contrast to the surrounding forests.

Location
Monroe County

Size
775 acres

How to Prepare for Your Visit
The North Wood Trail and the Fern ridge Trail in the upland woods are open to the public for self-guided walks. Because of its fragile nature, the bog can only be visited during regularly scheduled walks conducted by the Monroe County Environmental Education Center. Private walks are also available to groups upon request. A donation of $3, or $2 for Nature Conservancy members, for management costs, is requested. For more information, please call the Monroe County Environmental Education Center at (570) 629-3061.

Directions

• Take I-80 to Route 715 (Exit 45) 
• After the ramp, follow Route 715 north to Route 611
• Go south on 611 for 1.1 miles and turn left onto Cherry Lane Road.  
• Proceed 2.7 miles and turn right onto Bog Road.  
• The North Wood Trail is 0.3 miles on the left.  The Fern Ridge Trail is another 0.3 miles on the right.  There is a small parking lot on the left near the trails.

What to See: Plants
The cranberry bog is a world of sphagnum peat moss hosting beautiful plants like calla lillies, orchids, gold thread and the carnivorous sundew and pitcher plants, with smatterings of shrubs like Labrador tea, leatherleaf, sheep laurel, bog rosemary and swamp azalea.

What to See: Animals
The bog also provides habitat for many mammals, including bears, otters, bobcats, beavers, porcupines, minks and snowshoe hares.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site  
"The Cranberry" (as it is affectionately known by local residents) has been designated as a National Natural Landmark, because of its distinction as the southernmost low-altitude boreal bog along the eastern seaboard.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
The Nature Conservancy manages the preserve with the volunteer assistance of a local Stewardship Committee and the Monroe County Environmental Education Center.