The property provides a forested buffer along several miles of Trout Run, McGee Run, Hillside Run and their tributaries. These streams are designated Cold Water Fisheries by the Department of Environmental Protection.
The unique physiographic setting of Chestnut Ridge has created one of the most ecologically significant sites in Westmoreland County.
During the formation of Chestnut Ridge, tectonic movement pushed older, deeper rock layers, such as Loyalhanna Limestone and Pottsville Group’s sandstones, closer to the surface.
Centuries of erosion further exposed older rock and groundwater dissolved areas of limestone to form caves and crevices that provide critical habitat for rare species.
The Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program has recognized a portion of the ridge as the Chestnut Ridge Penn View Mountain South Natural Heritage Area, a site of global significance. A portion of the donated property is within this NHA.
This NHA provides habitat for Allegheny woodrat, Western hairy rock-cress, spreading rockcress, stiff cowbane, thick-leaved meadow-rue and a number of other species of concern.
The property has an industrial past. An iron furnace operator owned the property in the 1830s.
The land was later sold to local developers who mined sandstone and limestone in small, hand-worked operations.
At least seven areas on the property were quarried, and several remains of buildings are visible around these sites.
Until the late 1920s or early 1930s, portions of the property were farmed.
As a result of grassroots efforts to save ecologically important areas on the ridge, the current owners acquired a majority of the property from landowners who attempted to start another quarry in 1991.
Approximately 2,190 acres were placed under a conservation easement, and will remain private property, to provide the highest level of protection for sensitive habitats, such as Trout Run, and species of concern.
However, approximately 300 acres of the property were donated to WPC for a nature preserve that is open to the public.
The preserve’s name and visitor information will be available soon on the Conservancy’s website.
“This is an ecologically important area in the Laurel Highlands, and we appreciate these gifts to our region that will protect this forested area along the Chestnut Ridge with a perpetual conservation easement and for a nature preserve,” said Tom Saunders, president and CEO of the Conservancy.
Click Here for the WPC announcement.
For more information about conservation options to protect land, including donating conservation easements or other conservation options, please contact the Conservancy at 412-288-2777 or land@paconserve.org.
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy enhances the region by protecting and restoring exceptional places.
A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped establish 11 state parks, conserved more than a quarter million acres of natural lands, protected or restored more than 3,000 miles of rivers and streams, and assessed thousands of wildlife species and their habitats.
Related Articles This Week:
-- Western PA Conservancy: Local Families Donate More Than 2,400 Acres Of Forestland On Chestnut Ridge In Westmoreland County [PaEN]
-- Western PA Conservancy Protects 652 Acres Of Forestland in Fayette County Transferred To Forbes State Forest [PaEN]
-- Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy Partners With Landowner Allen Jones To Conserve 230 Acres In Snyder, Mifflin Counties [PaEN]
-- Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy Partners With Robin Read, John Bierley To Conserve 116 Acres In Lycoming County [PaEN]
-- Delaware Highlands Conservancy Accepting College Scholarship Applications [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Williamsport Sun/Spotlight PA: Battle For Heart, Health Of Allegheny National Forest [PDF of Article]
-- Scranton Times: Up A Tree: From High Peaks In 67 Counties, Van Wagner Sees The Beauty And Value Of Forests [PDF of Article]
-- Warren Times: Therapist Takes Clinic To The Outdoors
[Posted: January 7, 2026] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment