Dear Friends,
In September, we announced the acquisition and transfer of 1,100 acres in York County, creating the new Susquehanna Riverlands State Park.
This month, we have big news in Lancaster County! We are thrilled to announce two new acquisitions totaling 85 acres – one bought at auction and the other under agreement for purchase early next year.
77 key acres along the Conestoga Trail, on a tributary to Hammer Creek and Speedwell Forge Lake will expand the small adjacent and inaccessible de Perrot Nature Preserve to over 100 acres. At a purchase price of $1.9 million, this acquisition was a big win. It protects land along a major trail and a key tributary to Speedwell Forge Lake while expanding an existing nature preserve in a region like Lititz that is growing rapidly.
Photo by Mak Estill of the Conestoga Trail along the tributary to Hammer Creek at the de Perrot addition
Photo by Nick Gould Photography of the forested streamside at Fishing Creek Nature Preserve
Last month we settled on a very special 8 acre tract of old beautiful trees adjacent to our Fishing Creek Nature Preserve in Southern Lancaster County. Bought at auction for $56,000, we protected this property, which was at risk of being timbered threatening the water quality of this pristine hemlock shaded trout stream. Take a drive down the three miles of gravel road, with several stream crossing in the Fishing Creek gorge, and be amazed at the beauty and know that we were able to protect both sides of the stream, forever.
Land protection only happens when people step up and invest in saving our few remaining forests. With ExtraGive this Friday, November 18, let these exciting stories inspire you to give a gift to the Conservancy as we all work together to save nature, combat climate change, and restore our planet. Thank you for your ongoing support.
With gratitude,
Phil Wenger
President
Lancaster Conservancy
