The Land Conservancy of Adams County has finalized an agreement with Highland Township resident Allen Knouse to preserve his 77.5-acre property from development. "I'm the third generation of my family to own this land," said Knouse. "My grandparents were tenant farmers on this land for five years and then they bought the whole farm. They built the home that I live in today read more
Conservation Projects
26
January
23
January
NLT Conserves 25 Acres in Delaware County
James A. Miller wanted to protect his land in memory of his late wife. On November 15th, 2016, Natural Lands Trust helped him achieve his vision with a conservation easement on his 25-acre property on Lenni Road in Chester Heights. The easement, announced in January, will permanently protect the natural features of the landscape and preserve critical open space in highly read more
19
January
Central PA Conservancy Protects 500 Acres in Perry County
In December, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (CPC) recorded a conservation easement with Perry County landowner Matthew Rice, permanently preserving 500 acres of forested ridge habitat on the Kittatinny Ridge (also known as Blue Mountain). This property is near other protected lands, including Tuscarora State Forest, the Reineman Wildlife Sanctuary, Waggoner’s Gap Hawk Watch, read more
16
January
Natural Lands Trust Preserves 80 Acres for Hopewell Big Woods
Natural Lands Trust (NLT) has preserved and transferred 80 acres of high-quality forest in Robeson Township, Berks County, to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Quaker Hill is located in the heart of the Hopewell Big Woods, the largest block of contiguous forest between New York and Washington, D.C. The are has been the focus of conservation efforts read more
12
January
Success in Scotia Barrens
On January 6, ClearWater Conservancy finalized the purchase of 18.7 acres in Half Moon Township from the Paul B. Smith Family Trust, expanding the protected area of the Scotia Barrens. Conserving land in the Barrens has been a high priority for ClearWater since 2005, due to the rare habitat the land provides for wildlife and the source water protection it offers. read more
11
January
Chestnut Hill Historical Society Changes Name
At its Annual Meeting on January 8, the Chestnut Hill Historical Society announced the change of its name to the Chestnut Hill Conservancy. This was the first event, and the first major announcement, of the organization's 50th Anniversary year of 2017. Its Board of Directors selected the new name after years of deliberation, believing that it more accurately reflects the read more
6
January
WPC Protects 156 Acres, Added to Buchanan State Forest
On January 4, The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) announced the protection of more than 156 acres along the Evitts Mountain ridgeline in Bedford County. The property was immediately transferred to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry to become a new addition to Buchanan State Forest. This land is adjacent to the read more
5
January
Slab Cabin Run Initiative Update
The Slab Cabin Run Initiative, a ClearWater Conservancy project to protect a major source of the State College community's drinking water, has successfully met its first fundraising goal. The goal of $1.12 million was reached by the target date of December 31. To date, a total of $1.165 million has been raised from Ferguson Township, College Township, State College Borough, read more
4
January
Allegheny Land Trust Protects Three Properties at Year’s End
On December 29, Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) closed on three properties, totaling 123 acres in Bell Acres and Franklin Park Boroughs. Two property acquisitions were made possible by fundraising campaigns orchestrated by ALT. The other acquisition was the result of a partnership between ALT and the Little Sewickley Creek Watershed Association (LSCWA), which donated the land to read more
3
January
Centre County Farmland Trust Preserves Rossman Farm
On January 2, the Centre County Farmland Trust (CCFT) announced the donation of a conservation easement from the Rossman family on their 84-acre property in Potter Township. The family has wanted to protect their farm for many years, and the completion of this easement will ensure that the land will continue to be used as a working farm. The property sits along the north side read more
3
January
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Protects Two Properties in December
Conservation in the French Creek Watershed On December 22, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) announced the acquisition of a forested property located in Hayfield and Vernon townships, Crawford County. The area is now permanently protected and available for recreational use. This 171-acre property, which protects ecologically important land in the French Creek read more
12
December
It’s Official: Barnard’s Orchard Permanently Conserved
With the completion of paperwork and the signing of the agricultural conservation easement in December, Barnard's Orchard, a Chester County landmark for over 150 years, is now officially protected in perpetuity. The easement adds over 70 acres to already-protected lands in Newlin Township. The project was made possible by the Barnard Family and The Land Conservancy for read more
1
December
NPC Acquires 132 Acres Along Pine Creek Trail
When you think of Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC), does the word "agile" come to mind? What about "speedy" or "fast?" Any of those words could be used to describe the latest NPC project. The Pine Creek Rail Trail runs for 62 miles from Wellsboro Junction to Jersey Shore using the rail bed that once hauled celery, ginseng, and lumber to market. The Trail is read more
14
November
Historic Icon Receives Permanent Protection
On November 10, the Vanna Venturi House was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Designed by architect Robert Venturi and completed in 1964, the house has been widely celebrated as an architectural icon but was previously unprotected. The Chestnut Hill Historical Society submitted a nomination for the house to receive formal preservation by the City of read more
11
November
Natural Lands Trust Adds 153 Acres to Bear Creek Preserve
On November 10, Natural Lands Trust announced the addition of 153 acres to the already expansive Bear Creek Preserve in Luzerne County. The acquisition of adjacent land located along the Francis E. Walter Dam Reservoir increases the size of the preserve to 3,565 acres, and will provide direct access to the reservoir for fishing and boating. The land, purchased from read more
