Western PA Conservancy Protects 119 Acres, Expands Recreation In Buchanan State Forest, Bedford County

On February 1, the Western PA Conservancy announced it recently protected 119 forested acres in Southampton Township, Bedford County that were transferred to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry to become a new addition to the now 71,802-acre Buchanan State Forest.

A variety of oak, black birch, hickory, blackgum and white pine trees make up this newly conserved property located in the headwaters of Town Creek, which the Department of Environmental Protection has designated a High Quality Coldwater Fishery that provides anglers opportunities to fish wild trout.

Located within a vast and scenic forested landscape and adjacent to Buchanan State Forest, the property borders Mt. Zion Road and improves public access to the forest for hiking, mountain biking, hunting and other forms of recreation, and enhances access for forest management activities.

Tom Saunders, president and CEO of the Conservancy, says the Conservancy is fortunate to continue working with state and private partners to help expand state forestland and safeguard pristine waters.

“We are so glad to protect this forestland and add it to the state forest system. There are many benefits when we protect land and this property protects sensitive streams and creeks, extends connected forestland and expands recreation in one of Central Pennsylvania’s most natural and wild areas,” he adds.

This project was made possible by a grant from the family of B. Kenneth Simon.

The Conservancy has added more than 2,300 acres to Buchanan State Forest since 2007. 

Of the Conservancy’s total protected acreage, more than 200,000 acres have been protected and conveyed to DCNR for state parks, forests and game lands.

Water, Land, Life

The latest Water, Land, Life newsletter from the Western PA Conservancy also includes articles on--

-- Fallingwater Offers New Winter Walks Feb. 1 to March 5

-- Feb. 11 Webinar: Learn The Art Of Observation At Fallingwater

-- Apply Now For Summer Internships At WPC, Fallingwater

-- Celebrate World Wetlands Day Feb. 2

-- National Invasive Species Awareness Week Feb. 22-26

-- Students, Enroll In Fallingwater Virtual Drawing Classes Or Summer Camps

More information is available on programs, initiatives and special events at the Western PA Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Conservancy, Like them on Facebook, Follow them on Twitter, join them on Instagram, visit the Conservancy’s YouTube Channel or add them to your network on Linkedin.  Click Here to support their work.

The Conservancy has helped to establish 11 state parks, conserved more than 250,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, maintains 132 community gardens and other green spaces that are planted with the help of more than 11,000 volunteers and the support of more than 9,000 members.

(Reprinted from the latest Water, Land, Life newsletter from the Western PA Conservancy.)

Related Article:

-- Western PA Conservancy Hosts Feb. 19 Webinar: Finch Superflight - Tracking Winter Movements Of Evening Grosbeaks

[Posted: February 2, 2021]  PA Environment Digest