Another 10 acres of land are now permanently protected from development, thanks to the generosity and foresight of the Rawson family, which donated a conservation easement to Willistown Conservation Trust on October 22. This is the second easement the Rawsons have donated to the Trust, creating a total of 35 contiguous acres of Rawson family land in permanent protection. The read more
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October
19
October
Guarding Easements from Mortgage Foreclosures and, if Applicable, Supporting Tax Benefits
When a mortgage precedes an easement on a property, a foreclosure of that mortgage can wipe out the easement, clearing the property of any requirements for conservation (in the case of a conservation easement) or public access (in the case of a trail easement). This does happen! To guard against this, the mortgage holder needs to sign a non-disturbance agreement, which allows read more
16
October
WPC Acquires 193 Acres in Erie County
A new 193-acre conservation area is now open to the public in Erie County, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced on October 16. The South Branch French Creek Conservation Area in Union Township offers 1.5 miles of frontage along the South Branch of French Creek and provides access to a stocked trout stream for fishing and outdoor recreation. One of the Conservancy’s read more
16
October
French and Pickering Preserves 118-Acre Farm
Imagine these fields filled with fifty houses instead of hay. Another hundred cars sitting in traffic on Charlestown Road. Thanks to the Epstein Family, Charlestown Township, and French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, you don’t have to. This land, the view, and its natural resources are now protected in perpetuity for everyone to enjoy today and for our children read more
19
September
The Nature Conservancy Protects 1,620 Acres Along Kittatinny Ridge
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has secured a conservation easement protecting 1,620 acres in Perry County, near Marysville, after a vote by the Duncannon Borough Council last night. “TNC is proud to play a key role in protecting this beautiful and ecologically important property that is already cherished by people living in the Harrisburg region,” said Bill Kunze, executive read more
7
September
Natural Lands Protects 49 Acres of Urban Greenspace
On Thursday, Natural Lands announced 49 acres of the Friends Hospital campus have been placed under conservation easement, permanently protecting it from development. Preservation of this landscape safeguards historical greenspace in Philadelphia and the scenic views from nearby Tacony Creek Park. The easement also formalizes public access to the property’s woodlands, which read more
6
September
WPC Protects 377 Acres Along Bald Eagle Mountain
On September 6 the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the donation of a conservation easement from landowners Denny and Joan Thompson to protect 377 acres of forestland along Bald Eagle Mountain in Halfmoon Township, Centre County. This easement safeguards important plant communities and wildlife habitats found within a large 320-acre contiguous forest. This read more
5
September
Natural Lands Protects Important Revolutionary War Site
The 88-acre Osborne Hill Farm is quintessential Chester County countryside with rolling fields, buildings from the early 19th century, and pastures. But this landmark site is most notable for its role in American history as the promontory where British general William Howe surveyed the Battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary War. Today, Natural Lands announced it has read more
23
August
WVWA Adds Eight Acres to Briar Hill Preserve
One of the few remaining unprotected parcels in the Prophecy Creek corridor in Whitpain Township has been protected by the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (WVWA). The 8.01-acre, undeveloped parcel adjacent to the Briar Hill Preserve was part of the former estate of James Cheston IV, a conservation supporter who helped WVWA permanently protect Camp Woods nearly three read more
19
July
Allegheny Land Trust Protects 12-Acre Farm
Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) and landowner Susan Orenstein worked together to protect 12 acres in Indiana Township using a conservation easement on Catch the Wind Farm. Placing an easement on the farm has ensured that the land will forever be conserved, and will never be developed. “This farm, a portion of a much larger farm that existed here for more than a century, is a read more
2
July
Pennsylvania General Assembly Protects Conservation Easements from Irresponsible Exercise of Eminent Domain
Following votes in the Pennsylvania House (177-15) and Senate (37-12), Governor Tom Wolf signed HB 2468 into law as Act 45 of 2018 on June 24. The bill, which was introduced in early June by Representatives Warren Kampf, Kate Harper, and Marcy Toepel, establishes for conservation easements a crucial new safeguard: school districts, county and local municipal governments, and read more
15
June
Willistown Conservation Trust Protects 5.6 Acres
This May, Jean Preston signed an official Legacy Conservation Easement at the Willistown Conservation Trust's office, protecting 5.6 acres of land. Her scenic property, off of Dutton Mill Road, features a wooded area and pond that drains to Ridley Creek. The easement protects the land from further development and limits the property to one primary residence. A Legacy read more
7
June
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and The Nature Conservancy Protect 2,400 Acres
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and The Nature Conservancy announced today that the two will protect over 2,400 acres of Sanctuary forestland for generations to come. “Hawk Mountain sits on the Kittatinny Ridge, a globally significant migration super highway. Our goal is to protect this international flyway and to guarantee that our refuge for raptors—and the people who enjoy read more
4
June
Natural Lands and Partners Preserve Barnes Estate
Natural Lands is partnering with The Barnes Foundation, Chester County, and West Pikeland Township to place a conservation easement on 137 acres of the historic Ker-Feal property. Located in Chester County, Ker-Feal was built in 1775 and purchased by Dr. Albert C. Barnes, founder of the Barnes Foundation, and his wife Laura in 1940 for use as a country getaway. “Natural read more
31
May
The Conservation Fund Completes the Largest Purchase by a Land Trust in State History
The Conservation Fund has announced the purchase of 32, 598 acres of sustainable timberland surrounding the city of Johnsonburg in Elk and McKean counties. The purchase was made through The Conservation Fund's Working Forest Fund. It is the largest single purchase of land by a nonprofit conservation organization in Pennsylvania history. “We are in an entirely new era of read more
