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
14
September
2
July
WPC Acquires More Land Along Route 30 Within the Loyalhanna Creek Watershed
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced on June 16, 2020 the permanent protection of 50 acres within the Loyalhanna Creek watershed, along the scenic and historic Route 30 corridor in Ligonier Township, Westmoreland County. The forested property is located on the north side of westbound Route 30 and hosts a half mile of riparian frontage along Coalpit Run, a high read more
18
May
Forested Land Expands Sideling Hill Creek Conservation Area to 375 Acres
Nineteen acres of forested land buffering Sideling Hill Creek in Mann Township, Bedford County have been protected and added to the now 375-acre Sideling Hill Creek Conservation Area, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced on May 15, 2020. The newly protected land provides habitat for wildlife and serves as an important riparian buffer, which helps cool and improve read more
4
November
WPC Adds 390 Acres to Conservation Area
On November 4 the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 390 acres in Erie County that have been added to the Conservancy’s West Branch French Creek Conservation Area, expanding the natural area to nearly 1,000 acres. These newly protected acres are located within the 1,250-square mile French Creek watershed on two properties in Venango read more
27
September
2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit Seeking Request for Breakout Presentations
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy are seeking proposals for 45-minute breakout session presentations for the 2020 Riparian Forest Buffer Summit that will be held March 11–12, 2020 at the Blair County Convention Center. Topics should relate to funding, partnerships, implementation, planning, research, and read more
19
June
FCVC Completes New Boat Launch on Conserved Property
The French Creek Valley Conservancy (FCVC) recently completed the installation of a new boat launch along French Creek on Wadsworth Avenue in Meadville. The Joe Cat Launch, named for Joe Catalano, is the result of a multiyear effort by the Catalano family to raise funds to honor the family patriarch. Catalano grew up in the Fifth Ward and was a lover of French Creek, read more
2
January
WPC Protects 281-Acre Addition to Laurel Ridge State Park
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy recently protected nearly 300 acres in Somerset and Fayette counties near the summit of Laurel Ridge and many popular Laurel Highlands outdoor recreational destinations. The land will be transferred to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of State Parks as an addition to Laurel Ridge State Park next year. This 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
10
September
New Study: Riparian Buffers Provide Numerous Benefits
A new study found just one acre of riparian forested buffer results in more than $10,000 in annual economic benefits, including reducing erosion and flooding, increasing water purification, wildlife habitat, and property values. The study—The Economic Value of Riparian Buffers in the Delaware River Basin—was prepared by ECONorthwest for the Delaware RiverKeeper read more
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July
Natural Features Reduce Flooding in Lancaster County
With the recent heavy rainfall this week, floodplain restoration and natural features like wetlands (known as green infrastructure) are proving to have an obvious impact on flood reduction. Regional solutions, such as floodplain restoration, inherently decrease impacts that extend beyond a single parcel of land. Reduced flooding and improved water quality are generally observed read more
9
July
Lancaster County Conservancy and Local Hero Protect 104 Acres
Last week, the Lancaster County Conservancy acquired 104 acres of woodland in Hellam Township (York County) from Robert Kinsley. Funded by a unique public–private partnership, this property adds to the Conservancy's Hellam Hills Nature Preserve of protected forests and riparian buffers along the Susquehanna River. The Conservancy began working on protecting these beautiful 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
1
March
DCNR, PENNVEST Invest $1.1 Million in Stream Buffer Projects
On March 1, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) awarded $1.1 million in grants for stream buffer projects to eight recipients across Pennsylvania. The funding will support projects that involve planting trees and income-producing species along streams, which improves water quality by reducing the amount of sediment that reaches waterways. All projects read more
17
May
Chestnut Hill Conservancy and Friends of the Wissahickon Preserve Stream Buffer
Chestnut Hill Conservancy, in partnership with Friends of the Wissahickon, acquired a conservation easement to preserve more than eight acres of open watercourse in Chestnut Hill. The conserved area is located near the headwaters of East Brook, which feeds Swan Pond at Morris Arboretum and is a tributary of Wissahickon Creek. This area is one of the very few remaining stream read more
2
March
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Protects 92 Acres Along French Creek
On February 28, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) announced the permanent protection of 92 acres near Cambridge Springs in Crawford County along French Creek, one of the most important waterways in the northeastern United States for the diversity of fish and mussels living in it. The property, which is now open to the public for hunting, hiking, birding, and read more
