Natural Lands announced on October 26, 2020 the permanent protection of nearly 10 acres of land along the fast-developing Route 202 corridor in Westtown Township, Chester County. Owned by the Church of the Loving Shepherd, the property was once the site of the 1777 Battle of Brandywine. Now preserved by a conservation easement held by Natural Lands, the land will never be read more
Conservation Projects
Heritage Conservancy Sets Pioneering Example of Partnership and Preservation with Manoff Market Gardens
Freda R. Savana for Heritage Conservancy It could be said that Gary and Amy Manoff have farming in their blood. For more than three decades, the couple has lovingly labored to create one of the area’s most bountiful farms in Solebury Township on land that they leased from Heritage Conservancy. Manoff Market Gardens on Comfort Road is rich with acres and acres of sour read more
Berks Nature Closes on a Conservation Easement of Olivet Blue Mountain Camp
On September 30th, 2020, Berks Nature closed on a conservation easement project in the Schuylkill River Watershed, Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor, Hamburg Borough, Windsor Township. Berks Nature protected 109.28 acres of land owned by the Olivet Blue Mountain Camp. Known locally as the Blue Mountain, the Kittatinny Ridge stretches across the state of Pennsylvania. Berks Nature read more
Fifteen More Acres Protected Forever!
Article originally published in September 2020 by Willistown Conservation Trust. The final conservation chapter to the 15-acre Stonehedge Farm at Plumsock and Goshen Roads in Willistown has finally concluded. The land is now protected from additional development forever. Many a trail rider or foxhunter is familiar with the fieldstone jump at the southeast corner read more
Wildlands Permanently Protects 187 Acres in the Lehigh Valley
Wildlands Conservancy announced in September 2020 the permanent protection of 187 acres situated in Salisbury and Upper Saucon Townships, Lehigh County. This recent acquisition establishes a new preserve for the Lehigh Valley, the third success of its kind for the organization inside of 2019-2020. “This latest acquisition furthers our commitment to protect the read more
Central Pennsylvania Conservancy Acquires 404 Acres on Peters Mountain
On September 3, 2020, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy purchased 404 acres of ridge and forest land along Peters Mountain in Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County. The newly acquired parcel adjoins DCNR’s Joe Ibberson Conservation Area and State Gamelands #211, and it contains the historic Victoria Trail. This acquisition is intended for future transfer to adjoining public read more
WPC Protects More Forestland in the Bennett Branch Watershed for Moshannon State Forest
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced on September 1, 2020 the permanent protection of 561 acres of forestland in Benezette Township, Elk County – a popular destination in our region to see elk roam in their habitat. The property was immediately conveyed to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to become open to the public as a new addition to read more
Allegheny Land Trust to Protect Historic Log Home
Local non-profit conservation organization Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) has assumed ownership of the historic Walker-Ewing Log House and surrounding grounds in Collier Township. ALT and former owner, the Pioneers West Historical Society, said the transfer of this landmark was initiated to ensure the long-term preservation of the iconic structure and land it rests upon. Located read more
Nature Conservancy Announces Major Planned Expansion of Cove Mountain Preserve Outside Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania and Delaware chapter of The Nature Conservancy announced on September 8, 2020 that it is preparing a major expansion of the Cove Mountain preserve, which will create a 14-mile stretch of protected land along the Kittatinny Ridge. This purchase will expand the size of the preserve from 353 to 1411 acres, connecting the existing Cove Mountain preserve trails to read more
Heritage Conservancy Facilitates Preservation of Highly Visible, Nearly 100-acre Farm in Bedminster Township
Working in partnership with Bucks County and Bedminster Township, Heritage Conservancy, an accredited non-profit land conservation and historic preservation organization, facilitated the placement of a conservation easement on a 97-acre farm in Bedminster Township. Owned by the Blue Rock Investment Corporation, the property is located at the intersection of Routes 313 and 113 read more
David Library, DCNR, and Heritage Conservancy “Agreement of Sale” Makes Green Space Available For Public Enjoyment
In an exciting move that will preserve the entire 118-acre farm in Washington Crossing in Upper Makefield Township that had been home to the David Library of the American Revolution (DLAR) since 1974, an Agreement of Sale has been co-signed by Heritage Conservancy and Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to acquire the property from DLAR. The read more
Permanent Protection for North Coventry Farm that is Home to 400-Year-Old “Penn Oak”
Natural Lands announced the preservation of Great Oak Farm, a 10-acre property in North Coventry Township, Chester County. The property includes meadows and forest, and about 640 feet of Pigeon Creek. The property was named for its magnificent white oak that pre-dates European colonization. Now protected with a conservation easement, the farm will never be developed. “When read more
American Battlefield Trust, North American Land Trust Partner to Save Revolution’s Brandywine Battlefield
The American Battlefield Trust and North American Land Trust (NALT) have launched a fundraising campaign to protect a key portion of one of the critical battles on our country's journey to independence, Brinton Run Preserve on the Brandywine Battlefield. This 72-acre property will be owned and maintained by NALT, marking the first time the organization, typically focused on read more
French Creek Valley Conservancy Receives Property Donation
The 21-acre Robert Brace Nature Reserve was recently donated to the French Creek Valley Conservancy by Robert’s sons. The parcel had been in the Brace family for several generations and is part of a much larger working farm on which the Brace family raised cattle for milking and beef production. The property is located off of Kennedy Hill Road in Union Township, Crawford County read more
Land Added to Expand Nockamixon State Park
Natural Lands announced in early July 2020 the purchase of two properties totaling just over 14 acres that were then transferred as additions to Nockamixon State Park. The properties, which are both immediately adjacent to the Park, were at risk for development but are now protected forever. “Over the past few months, as the coronavirus turned things upside down, we’ve read more