Forest landowners and aspiring landowners from across the mid-Atlantic region are invited to attend a virtual educational retreat to learn more about managing their forestland and connecting with other forest landowners. As guidance continues to unfold regarding the gathering of groups in the Fall of 2020, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and their partners are poised to read more
Breathing the Same Air
It’s been a difficult couple of weeks, as we all know, with the racial tragedies that have taken place and the issues that have again surfaced. They weren’t far below the surface. This has been a particularly difficult two weeks for me. I’m coming up on one wonderful year this month in leading The Land Conservancy for Southern Chester County (TLC), and as many of you know, read more
Conservation and Justice for All
Dear Friends and Supporters, Conservation is crucial but not sufficient for ensuring that ALL people have the opportunity to live freely and prosper in healthy communities. It is deeply wrong that a Black person has to worry about being accosted and threatened while birdwatching in a park. It is evil that simply encountering law enforcement or jogging while Black can be the read more
DCNR Accepting Final Comments on PA’s Outdoor Recreation Plan
DCNR has finalized Pennsylvania’s next outdoor recreation plan -- the blueprint for delivering outdoor recreation services for the next five years. Over the past year, public input has been collected and analyzed relating to the five priority themes for the plan: Health and wellness Recreation for all Sustainable systems Technology Funding and economic read more
Support Hawk Mountain during the 2020 Benefit for the Birds
Hawk Mountain's annual fundraiser, the Benefit for the Birds Gala has been transformed into a month-long, online-only silent auction with a live-streamed event. The annual gala, which had to be cancelled, is the Sanctuary's largest and only fundraiser, garnering critical general operating support for Hawk Mountain science, education, stewardship, and other conservation read more
Delaware Highlands Conservancy Receives Major Gift to Establish Van Scott Nature Reserve, an Environmental Education Center and Conservancy Headquarters
With deep gratitude, the Board of Directors of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy announced on May 26, 2020 that the Van Scott family has donated a 140-acre property in Berlin Township, Beach Lake, Pennsylvania to the Delaware Highlands Conservancy to develop as an environmental learning center, Conservancy headquarters, and for use as a nature reserve. The family has read more
Lancaster Conservancy Renewing their Land Trust Accreditation
The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Lancaster Conservancy is currently in the process of renewing their accreditation, which includes a public comment period. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission invites our community to read more
DCNR Announces Plans to Reopen More State Park, Forest Facilities
On May 19, 2020, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced a phased reopening of more state park and forest facilities in keeping with Governor Wolf’s direction to ensure Pennsylvanians have opportunities to safely enjoy outdoor recreation and help maintain positive physical and mental health. “With appropriate read more
Land Conservancy of Adams County preserves 87 acres in Mt. Pleasant Twp.
“We want to keep the face of the farm the same: No houses,” said Mt. Pleasant farmer Doug Clabaugh, explaining why he and his wife Christine decided to preserve their 87-acre farm in partnership with the Land Conservancy of Adams County, who announced the preservation of the farm in May 2020. Doug Clabaugh’s parents, Miriam and Robert, purchased the farm in 1952 and read more
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
Brandywine Conservancy to Present Town Hall Webinar to Discuss Progress and Solicit Feedback on Birmingham Hill Master Plan
The Brandywine Conservancy will host a virtual public Town Hall webinar to present work-in-progress on its Birmingham Hill Preserve Master Plan on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 7 p.m. Presented in partnership with Birmingham Township and Brandywine Battlefield Park, the Conservancy will present an overview of the vision and preliminary ideas for the historic Birmingham Hill read more
Common Wasps and Hornets of Pennsylvania
As the days become warmer, many insects throughout Pennsylvania emerge. Spring, summer, and fall are some of the busiest times of year for insects and the best times of year for people to come into contact with them. Some of the insects that Pennsylvanians may encounter are stinging insects, such as bees, wasps, and hornets. Most people are familiar with the importance of bees read more
Open Space Preservation in Honey Brook Township
Honey Brook Township is positioned as one of the premier agricultural production areas in both Chester County and the state of Pennsylvania. Because of its rich farmland soils and a climate that allows agricultural production without the need for costly irrigation, 70% of the land in Honey Brook Township is used for farmland. Of that land, 35% of it (or 4,710 acres) has been read more
World Migratory Bird Day: Calling Us to Conservation
We were all gathered in the pre-dawn for a very well-attended spring migratory bird hike. I was standing groggily at the back of the group, watching the yellow tinge of the sunrise break upon the eastern horizon. As if on cue to welcome the rising sun, a chorus of birdsong trilled from the brambles of nearby thicket. “Do you think a new day would even happen without birds read more
Checking in! Here’s how NPC is doing…how are you?!
Hello again Friends, We are now a month into the stay-at-home order. Some things haven't changed. I am still yelling at some form of technology at least once a day, grant applications are being written (often the reason for yelling at technology), and logistics are being discussed for the 2020 stream season. Some things have changed in that month. The trees are budding read more