Wildlands Conservancy Protects Over 2,500 Acres In Carbon County

The Lehigh Valley-based Wildlands Conservancy announced more than 2,500 acres of forest land in Penn Forest and Kidder Townships, Carbon County will be permanently protected from development.

This is the largest conservation easement in the Conservancy's history and was protected with the help of a $1 million grant from the Open Space Institute.

By permanently protecting the land, which is surrounded by state Game Lands and parks, officials said they not only are safeguarding the Lehigh River’s water quality, but also connecting conservation areas, strengthening wildlife habitats. 

The acquisition includes Mud Run, a high-quality coldwater fishery and key tributary of the Lehigh River.

“If we can keep our forests whole, our connected natural areas intact and precious wildlife habitats contiguous to already protected spaces, we can do a world of good for everyone who calls the Lehigh Valley and Lehigh River watershed home,” said Chris Kocher, president of Wildlands Conservancy.

Originally a 3,800-acre property managed as a private fishing club for almost a century, the tract in 2021 was purchased by Preservation Graystones LLC.

Through the conservation easement, a legal agreement between a land trust and a landowner, Wildlands bought 2,511 acres, permanently protecting it from development.

While Wildlands has bought a large swath of the land — the appraised value of the easement was $3.5 million — more than 1,000 acres is being retained by Preservation Graystones for a housing development.

Click Here for the announcement.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Wildlands Conservancy website.  Click Here to sign up for updates.  Like on Facebook, Follow on Twitter and Join on Instagram.  Click Here to support the Conservancy.

(Reprinted from the WeConservePA website.)

Related Articles This Week:

-- Wildlands Conservancy Protects Over 2,500 Acres In Carbon County  [PaEN]  

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-- Heritage Conservancy Protects 90 Acres Of Woodland and Family Farm In Bucks County  [PaEN] 

-- West Chester University, East Whiteland Township Preserve 52 Acre Farm From Anonymous Donor In Chester County  [PaEN]

[Posted: August 11, 2025]  PA Environment Digest