Natural Lands has bought nearly 60 acres in Union Township, transferring the land to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry so that it cannot be developed.
The organization purchased the 59.7-acre property from Reading Materials for $716,000, then turned it over to the adjacent William Penn State Forest, officials said in a release.
The property is bisected by Mullen Hollow Road and is on the edge of Robeson Township.
The land provides critical habitat for migratory songbirds and other wildlife and will now be open to the public for visitation and recreation, officials said.
The newly preserved land is within the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape, an area designated by DCNR as a priority for land and water conservation, outdoor recreation and compatible economic development.
It is also within a region known as Hopewell Big Woods, the largest contiguous forest in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Hopewell Big Woods is about 114 square miles and provides essential forest habitat to birds and other wildlife.
“More than half of Pennsylvania’s breeding birds are dependent on large, intact forests,” said Jack Stefferud, Natural Lands’ senior adviser for land protection. “Woods that are fragmented into smaller plots by roads and developments favor predators that thrive along the edge of the forest, such as raccoons, snakes, blue jays, domestic cats, and brown-headed cowbirds. Anytime we can add acreage to existing forest like those held by the Bureau of Forestry, it’s a victory for conservation.”
The property will be available for recreation, bird watching, hunting and hiking. About 600 feet of the 140-mile-long Horse-Shoe Trail traverses the parcel.
“The William Penn Forest District is excited to add another tract to our state forest system, within the Hopewell Big Woods region, and share additional open space for the public,” said Rick Hartlieb, district forester. “Of particular note is the opportunity to showcase a historical stone tunnel where Hay Creek passes under an old railroad bed.”
Hay Creek’s “Exceptional Value” status in Pennsylvania signifies its pristine water quality, which is ensured by the undeveloped land around it, officials said. In addition to being a vital ecological resource, Hay Creek is the primary drinking water source for downstream communities.
Funding for this project was provided by Constellation Energy Generation through the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund and the Delaware River Basin Commission; Highlands Conservation Act (administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, its Bureau of Forestry, and Bureau of Recreation and Conservation – Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
“This addition to William Penn State Forest strengthens the protection of vital natural resources and critical wildlife habitat, while also expanding recreational opportunities for the region,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “We are proud to support this important project and grateful to Natural Lands for prioritizing the conservation of this remarkable tract within the Schuylkill Highlands Conservation Landscape.”
Natural Lands, which is member supported, has preserved more than 137,000 acres, including more than 40 nature preserves and one public garden totaling more than 23,000 acres. To date, Natural Lands has helped to add more than 790 acres to Bureau of Forestry holdings. About 5 million people live within 5 miles of land under the organization’s protection.