In late August 2019, Wildlands Conservancy permanently protected more than 60 acres in the Lehigh Valley. The greater part of this acreage will become a new nature preserve in Lower Macungie Township, while the balance expands Wildlands’ Emmaus-based South Mountain Preserve in Upper Saucon Township. “If ever there was a time to be in what we call ‘the forever business’, it’s read more
6
September
4
September
LCAC Protects 17 Acres of Family Woodland
Some preservation projects undertaken by the Land Conservancy of Adams County are more impactful than their acreage might suggest. A recent project preserving just 17 acres of woodland in Huntington Township is one example. The Sauble and Weaver families work their land together as a partnership. Together, they donated an easement to the Land Conservancy on a 17-acre patch read more
4
September
Finalists Selected for Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award
Three finalists have been selected for the 2019 Pennsylvania Leopold Conservation Award. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers, ranchers, and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat management on private, working land. In Pennsylvania, the $10,000 award is presented annually by read more
4
September
PALTA Finalizes Trail Group Finder
Following two months of public review of the beta version, the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association finalized its tool for finding trail groups across Pennsylvania. The map-based tool allows users to search for groups by county or identify the groups associated with a specific trail. It also allows users to search by trail type and other criteria. The tool’s purpose is to help read more
30
August
PALTA Staff Reorganizes
Over the past few weeks, the staff of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has reorganized, including the promotion of two staff members to newly created positions. Carol Grayshaw has been promoted from office administrator to the newly created position of education and office coordinator, where she will coordinate the annual Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference, read more
28
August
Reneé Carey Celebrates 25 Years with Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy
The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy (NPC) recently held a surprise celebration to honor executive director Reneé Carey for her 25 years of employment with NPC. Reneé started her career with NPC in 1994 as a clerical assistant, shortly after graduating from Penn State. Her dynamic work ethic and passion for NPC's mission led to her advancement as executive director in read more
23
August
Nicole Faraguna to Serve as DCNR Director of Policy
After more than 14 years at the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA), Nicole Faraguna has accepted the position of director of policy at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). She begins her new role in late August. Most recently serving as PALTA’s director of education and advocacy, Nicole has been instrumental in PALTA delivering read more
22
August
State Historical Marker Dedicated at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary will dedicate an official Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) roadside marker on Saturday, September 14 at 11 AM in the Visitor Center Gallery. Following remarks by Stephen Edge, the grandson of Sanctuary Founder Rosalie Edge, and others, guests will be invited to walk the short distance for the unveiling. The dedication honors the read more
15
August
Manada Conservancy Preserves 225 Acres on Peter’s Mountain
In 2007, Manada Conservancy placed a conservation easement on the 41-acre heart of a unique swamp ecosystem on the north side of Peter’s Mountain in Wayne Township. However, that swamp system extends well beyond what we had protected, for several miles, on a shelf of the mountain. It holds pools of water, running streams, and contributes to both a very unique plant and aquatic read more
15
August
Natural Lands Transfers 59 Acres of Land for Public Use
On August 15, Natural Lands announced the conservation and transfer of 59 acres of formerly private land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The land will now be available for public use and forever protected from development. The first property is an eight-acre parcel owned by the Keller family and is immediately adjacent to Nockamixon State Park in Haycock Township, Bucks read more
14
August
Heritage Conservancy Earns Renewed Accreditation
Heritage Conservancy announced its national land trust accreditation has been renewed, proving once again that it is committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in its conservation work. “Going through this rigorous process to earn our accreditation shows Heritage Conservancy’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in Bucks and read more
9
August
Heritage Conservancy Protects Beloved Maximuck Farm
When it comes to Bucks County’s most iconic properties, there are few as beloved as Maximuck’s Farm Market in Buckingham Township. Located in a prime spot at the corner of Long Lane and Street Road, the expansive 102-acre property has been family owned and operated for more than six decades. Created through the dedication, vision, and hard work of Walt and Sally (Tanner) read more
7
August
Brandywine Conservancy Earns Renewed Accreditation
The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art is pleased to announce it has achieved renewal of its accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance. The prestigious land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national high-quality standards for protecting important natural read more
5
August
101-Acre Meng Preserve Transferred to Natural Lands
Natural Lands announced on August 5 that it has taken ownership of the 101-acre Meng Preserve in Lower Frederick Township. The property was once the home of Eva R. Meng who gifted the land in her will to Valley Forge Audubon Society in 1994. The preserve will remain open to the public for passive recreation. “Natural Lands has held the conservation easement on Meng Preserve read more
1
August
Land Conservancy of Adams County Preserves 144-Acre Farm
Towards the end of July, the Land Conservancy of Adams County finalized a conservation easement on Jeff and Deborah Seibert's 144-acre farm in Hamilton Township. The farm was preserved through a partnership with NRCS and the Adams County Green Space Grant Program, and brings the Conservancy's total preserved acreage to 11,299. For Jeff and Deborah Seibert, the decision to read more
