Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation

At Lacawac Sanctuary, we believe that every child—regardless of race, ethnicity, or family income—deserves the opportunity to discover the wonders of nature. Research shows that when students learn through nature-based education, they are three times more likely to find the material engaging and create lasting, meaningful memories.

Each year, Lacawac elevates the impact of our hands-on, inquiry-driven science programs—transforming how environmental education is taught and experienced. By immersing students in real-world, nature-based learning, we’re helping to grow the next generation of environmental stewards.

Our programs serve students ages 5 to 18, guiding them through immersive experiences that highlight the deep interconnections between people and the planet. For older youth, we go beyond facts and field guides—we challenge them to critically examine the impacts of their actions and equip them with the tools to make informed choices that promote a sustainable and thriving environment for all life.

What sets Lacawac apart is our commitment to place-based learning. We believe that direct contact with nature—touching, hearing, seeing, and even smelling the living world—creates the strongest foundation for understanding global environmental issues. Our students don’t just learn about nature—they learn in it, forming lifelong connections to the environment around them.

At Lacawac Sanctuary, meaningful education grows from experience—and those experiences grow into stewardship.

Join us during NEPA Gives 2025 to ensure that more students can connect with the natural world, spark curiosity, and become champions for our environment.

Who We Are

The mission of Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation is to preserve Lake Lacawac, its watershed, the surrounding forest and historic structures; provide a venue for ecological research, scholarly interaction and the training of scientists; provide public and K-12 STEM education on environmental and conservation issues; and conserve open space in Pennsylvania.