The Merrill Linn Conservancy announced it has purchased approximately 36 acres of property on Shikellamy Bluffs as part of the Linking Landscapes Initiative. The goal of this land acquisition is to convey the property to the state so that it will become part of Shikellamy State Park, enlarging the natural area protected by Shikellamy State park by 18 percent.
The property was formerly owned by Richard and Miranda McGinnis and is a forested habitat for mammals, amphibians and birds. The cliffs on the eastern side of the property are particularly significant as they are home to two plant species and one bird species of special concern.
The acquisition was made possible by the joint efforts of many organizations, including the initial grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, the Union County Commissioners and Union County Planning Department, also the Degenstein Foundation, state legislators Fred Keller and Gene Yaw, the Union Township Supervisors, Mifflinburg Bank and Trust for facilitating the loan, Coldwell Banker Penn One Real Estate and MLC’s attorney Tom Clark and his staff.
