The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has published a new guide that looks at the common problem of encroachment and a new model document that provides a tool to resolve the problem. Encroachment: Permitting Continued Use Without Risking Loss of Ownership What should you do if a neighboring landowner encroaches on your organization’s property (e.g., builds a shed or extends read more
15
March
14
March
LCC’S Lydia Martin Wins 2019 Women in Conservation Award
Join Lancaster County Conservancy in congratulating its director of education and engagement Lydia Martin for receiving one of PennFuture’s Fifth Annual Celebrating Women in Conservation awards! Martin, along with Lauren Ferreri of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, has been honored in the category of Women of Environmental Education. This award honors an individual who has read more
6
March
New South Mountain Research Corps to Connect Students and Landowners
The South Mountain Partnership, the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are launching new South Mountain Research Corps initiative that supports student research on land management projects within the South Mountain Landscape in portions of Adams, Franklin, Cumberland, and York read more
5
March
Manada Conservancy Protects 44 Acres on Blue Mountain
Manada Conservancy has protected a 44-acre, fully wooded property along Blue Mountain in Lower Paxton Township that will be open to the public for hiking and passive enjoyment. Located near Hocker Park, the property includes a portion of the Darlington Trail and is part of the Kittatinny Ridge, an important corridor for raptor and songbird migration, wildlife diversity, and read more
1
March
WPC Protects 62 Acres in Sullivan County
Sixty-two undeveloped forested acres along Loyalsock Creek in northcentral Pennsylvania are now permanently protected by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, thanks to the donation of two conservation easements on properties owned by the Yasui family. Lise Yasui is one of five siblings who grew up with fond memories of playing in the creek and woods on their Hillsgrove read more
28
February
All Major Pennsylvania Sportsmen and Wildlife Groups Oppose Environmental Funding Transfers
In an unprecedented move, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited, Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, Quality Deer Management Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited, and read more
27
February
Three Pennsylvania Land Trusts Achieve Accreditation
On February 27, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission announced that Wildlands Conservancy is among 12 land trusts across the U.S. to achieve first-time accreditation, while the Land Conservancy of Adams County and Westmoreland Conservancy were among the 29 land trusts that achieved renewed accreditation. Nationwide, more than 420 land trusts have now earned the national read more
19
February
6.04 of Model Conservation Easement Finalized
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has finalized the change to section 6.04 of the Model Grant of Conservation Easement and Declaration of Covenants and posted the updated model at ConservationTools.org. The change is identical to the proposal posted in January. All users are strongly encouraged to adopt this change immediately. Thanks to everyone who offered comments on read more
19
February
2nd Edition of the Model Access Easement for Environmental Stewardship Published
The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association has finalized the 2nd edition of the Model Access Easement for Environmental Stewardship and posted it at ConservationTools.org. The first edition was developed to help organizations secure long-term access to land for remediating the effects of abandoned mine drainage. For the second edition, the model’s provisions have been modified to read more
19
February
Natural Lands Protects Addition to Marsh Creek State Park
On February 19 Natural Lands announced that it has purchased and transferred a 57-acre property to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as an addition to Marsh Creek State Park. Located in Wallace Township, Chester County, the land was slated to be developed. Now as part of the state park, it will be open to the public for hiking, birdwatching, horseback riding, read more
19
February
DCNR Budget Testimony Submitted to General Assembly
This is the text of the written budget testimony submitted to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn: Good afternoon Chairman Saylor, Chairman Bradford, and members of the House Appropriations Committee. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss the budget for the Department of read more
19
February
New Pennsylvania Farm Bill Proposal Includes $6 Million for Farm Conservation Practices
On February 14, Gov. Tom Wolf joined Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding to unveil the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, a proposal to provide support for and continued investments in the state’s agriculture industry. Among other provisions, the plan includes an additional $6 million to support on-farm conservation practices and would help make Pennsylvania a leader in organic read more
15
February
Chestnut Hill Conservancy Protects Two Properties
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy now holds a conservation easement on 3.5 acres along Bethlehem Pike, Stenton Avenue, and Bells Mill Road, ensuring that this prominent gateway to Chestnut Hill will be protected in perpetuity. This and an earlier easement on the property brings the total land protected by this one family to 11.6 acres, an astounding amount of protected land within read more
12
February
Natural Lands and PHLT Protect Native Trout Stream
On February 12 Natural Lands and Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) announced the preservation of two nearby but separately owned parcels totaling 340 acres of land near Brodhead Creek, a stream running through the Pocono Mountains known for its clear, cool water and healthy trout population. The land trusts hold conservation easements on the properties, ensuring they will never read more
11
February
Foundation for Sustainable Forests Acquires 144 Acres
A 144-acre forest in Erie County's Wayne Township has been donated to the Foundation for Sustainable Forests (FSF) to be conserved in perpetuity as a sustainable working woodland. Under the stewardship of the FSF, the land will remain a part of the local community by staying on the tax rolls, providing jobs through active forest management, and providing an educational setting read more
